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Thomas-McBrien Architects

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Thomas-McBrien Architects

Architecture Practice

28/05/2026

Our latest project with - a light-touch refurbishment of Lexington Street, Soho.

The original fit-out by is deeply embedded in the identity of the space. Rather than impose a new aesthetic, we approached the project through continuity, focusing on evolution over reinvention.

The interventions are quiet and deliberate, subtle adjustments that improve function without disruption to atmosphere.

Main Contractor & Joinery:
Enamel:
Photography:

architecture refurbishment

29/04/2026

New Wave House :: AAI Award 2026 — Winner

A project grounded in reuse - extending and reworking an existing industrial building through a lightweight timber structure and a materially led approach.

Shaped by constraint, availability and the logic of what was already there, the project delivers a low embodied carbon timber extension alongside a 25% reduction in operational energy across the building, despite a significant increase in floor area.

Home to New Wave London, the building also accommodates a number of small, independent businesses, alongside a shared rooftop garden.

Thank you to the and the awards jury for recognising the work.

Client / Contractor: .london
Photography:

22/04/2026

A first look at our design for : WatchHouse Park Avenue South, New York City.

Conceived as WatchHouse’s third House in New York, the interior is organised around three monolithic counters that anchor the plan and establish a clear architectural order.

These elements are conceived as singular objects within the space, informed by the work of Donald Judd, defining circulation and framing the rituals of coffee. Their presence is deliberately composed, a counterpoint to the intensity of the city beyond.

The wider space references the material language of a mid-century Madison Avenue interior, with a restrained palette of warm timber, stainless steel and terrazzo. Durable, precise and quietly refined.

Design & Delivery:
AOR: .studio
General Contractor:
Photography:

06/04/2026

A throwback to our first project for :: Aesop Regent Street, London – a sanctuary of grand seclusion.

This signature store, set within John Nash’s historic streetscape, is conceived as a sequence of spaces transitioning from the agitation of the street into a calm, immersive interior.

A symmetrical principal chamber is anchored by a stately basin, referencing the water fountains of Regency architecture. A vaulted ceiling reinforces this sense of order and formality.

From here, two portals lead to more intimate spaces. The first leads to the Sensorium, offering a place to explore Aesop’s fragrance compositions, while the second descends below street level, where a series of treatment rooms form a secluded undercroft dedicated to personal consultation and facial therapies.

A restrained palette of Portland stone, pitted plaster, reclaimed oak and bronze reinforces a sense of permanence and quiet decorum.

Design & Delivery: , in collaboration with
Main Contractor & Millwork:
Metal Fabricator:
Photography: .proctor

retaildesign

04/03/2026

A first look at our design for :: WatchHouse Park Avenue South, New York.

Conceived as WatchHouse’s third “House” in New York, the interior is organised around three monolithic central counters that anchors the plan and establishes a clear architectural focus within the space. The counters are expressed as singular sculptural elements, drawing on Donald Judd’s ‘100 untitled works’ while defining circulation through the cafe.

The wider interior references the calm, material richness of mid-century Madison Avenue interiors. A restrained palette of warm timber, stainless steel and terrazzo creates a durable yet refined setting shaped around the ritual of coffee.

Design:
Visualisations:

01/02/2026

A throwback to our first project for :: WatchHouse Fitzrovia, London.

This flagship House is organised around a central circular column and counter, anchoring the plan and drawing visitors into the heart of the café. The geometry is informed by Kandinsky’s ‘Several Circles’, using the circle as a grounding reference to shape intuitive movement and inform architectural elements. A range of seating arrangements are woven around this core, creating varied experiences from moments of openness to more intimate booth seating.

A restrained, durable material palette combines warm timber with stainless steel fittings suited to daily use. The result is a calm, enduring interior within a tightly constrained urban setting.

Main Contractor:
Stainless Fabricator:
Photography: &

02/12/2025

We are delighted that New Wave House has been named ‘AJ Editor’s Choice 2025’ at this year’s AJ Architecture Awards. The project also won both the ‘Refurb Project (up to £10m)’ and ‘Workplace Project (up to £10m)’ categories - a huge honour for our studio.

‘Amid the relentless drive to maximise workspace, this thoughtful retrofit provides a replicable, inspiring, light-touch solution. It reminds us of the possibilities for positive working partnerships, careful attention to detail and the power of a great architect/client partnership.’ - Emily Booth, AJ Editor

Thank you to the team at for recognising our work and a special thanks to our client, .london, for their continued trust in us. Our collaborative partnership goes from strength to strength.

Congrats to all the winners:

architecture

company
architecture.land

17/11/2025

Our latest project with - a light-touch refurbishment of Aesop - Lexington St, Soho.

The original fit-out by is deeply embedded in the identity of the existing space. Rather than impose a new aesthetic, we focused on evolution over reinvention. Our interventions are quiet and deliberate - subtle unitary and fabric adjustments that improve function without disrupting atmosphere.

The new enamel-clad unitary pays homage to the existing architecture, echoing its material honesty and restraint. At the heart of the space, the Fragrance Box embodies sensory storytelling and ritual. Our role was to give this object room to breathe allowing it to integrate seamlessly into the store’s rhythm and palette.

Through enamelled steel, pine, and the retention of rough plaster, we sought to preserve the store’s character and human scale. Materials with quiet permanence, that invite touch and accrue patina over time. The result is a gentle renewal: a continuation, not a reinvention.

Main Contractor & Joinery:
Enamel:
CGI:
Photography:

08/09/2025

We are delighted to share that New Wave House has been long-listed for the Dezeen Awards 2025.

Recognised for its innovative approach to airspace development, the project reimagines underused rooftop potential to deliver low-carbon workspace through careful reuse, timber construction, and light-touch interventions.

Client / Contractor: .london
Photography:

Awards:

03/09/2025

We are delighted to announce that New Wave House has been shortlisted for the Wood Awards 2025.

This lightweight glulam rooftop extension sits atop the existing building. By working with the existing structure, we’ve added 500sqm of workspace and a shared 100sqm roof terrace — all without increasing the footprint below. An efficient, elegant solution that balances density with care.

The result is a calm, open workspace that maximises daylight, ventilation, and adaptability.

Architect:
Client / Contractor: .london
Photography:

Awards / Sponsors:

uk
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2 Butcher Row
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E148DS

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 6pm
Tuesday	9am - 6pm
Wednesday	9am - 6pm
Thursday	9am - 6pm
Friday	9am - 6pm

Website

http://thomas-mcbrien.com/

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