About Cowen+Partners | Our Vision and Team

Jo Cowen

CEO

As CEO, Jo is the strategic and commercial lead for Cowen+Partners, best known for her unique combination of design and commercial skills. Jo comes with a unique background as being both a qualified Architect, yet trained in real estate investment management. This provides a broad understanding of the complexities involved in bringing schemes to fruition enabling the practice to work in partnership with clients and stakeholders. She is a leader in analysing and creatively assessing a site’s potential, as well as advising on value curation, the development brief and planning risk.

Jo is responsible for the strategic growth of the practice’s Living sector led regeneration schemes as well as overseeing the master planning projects. Currently working with several respected industry bodies, Jo is a thought leader recognised for her ongoing contribution to improving the quality of delivery within the sector.

Jo believes that sustainable design should deliver for the place, local community, investor, developer, operator and fundamentally, the end user. Jo is a founding shareholder for Action Funder, which provides valuable resource to community groups in need. Jo is also Vice President of Story of Christmas and fund raiser for Restore the Music.

Chris Wilkinson

Managing Director

As Managing Director, Chris is responsible for the overall design and delivery of all of Cowen + Partner’s most innovative work. He leads concept and technical development of all major practice projects, from master-planning to multi-unit for sale and build-to-rent schemes, as well as being at the forefront of best-in-class residential led regeneration. Chris is able to rationalise sites at the earliest stages, unlocking potential in a sympathetic yet ambitious way. He goes beyond being an architect, with a deep understanding of operational strategies and interlocking multiple scales and phases of development in tandem.

Working at the forefront of conceptual progression of modern housing design, Chris has a reputation for unlocking complex sites with planning authorities, bringing new and alternative perspectives to urban townscape, marrying high quality design that performs for all stakeholders. Chris works hard to push forward the practices ‘clean and climate’ tech innovation and has led on multiple award-winning projects.

Central to Chris’s approach is a co-aligned relationships with clients, statutory authorities and consultants throughout the design process. He carefully considers the appearance, performance and viability of buildings, adopting cutting-edge sustainable design strategies and the latest low carbon technologies. Chris strives to ensure Cowen + Partners remains at the forefront of the profession, investing in best-in-class capabilities and delivery excellence.

Judith Topley

Practice Director - ESG Lead

As Practice Director Judith works with the senior leadership team on the strategy, organisational, and operational management of the practice. This encompasses people, culture, finance, operations, social value, and aspects of QA, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.

She oversees Cowen+Partners’ approach to delivering positive ESG impact both for the practice and to align with the needs of collaborators and other stakeholders.

Judith is a qualified architect and worked in practice both in London and New York before focussing on the role of practice management. She has a particular interest in people and culture and holds CIPD Associate (Level 5) in People Management.

She is passionate about broadening diversity within the profession and wider built environment sector, actively pursuing opportunities to enable this across all stages of a career from outreach to schools to career progression within practice, continually striving to create and maintain an inclusive workplace.

Judith is actively involved with many industry activities; RIBA EDI Action Leaders Group – Equitable Work Experience Subgroup, the Architecture Race Forum Leadership Group, and is an Enterprise Adviser for the Central London Careers Hub working with schools on their career provision providing a much-needed link between business and schools especially those without established links.

Gregory Malek

Technical Director - BSA Lead - Sustainability Lead

Cowen+Partners technical lead, Gregory is known for his knowledge on housing construction procurement, standards and compliance. He advises clients on the Building Safety Act 2022 and changes to legislation including guidance, technical assurance and appraisals. Gregory is particularly experienced in residential schemes including multi-unit for sale and build-to-rent projects. He has worked directly for local authorities, housing associations, developers and contractors across all RIBA design stages.

Gregory is skilled in BIM processes and is a Certified Passive House Designer and leads on Cowen + Partner’s implementation of Net Zero Carbon. With a thorough technical knowledge, Gregory takes an innovative approach to schemes’ buildability and problems solving. Clients appreciate his robust and clear specialist advice.

He previously won Digital Innovation Merit prize in the CIOB International Innovation and Research Competition for the development of a computer software called BiMUp.

Gregory is also a member the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and Architectural Technical Leads Group (ATLG) with specific interest in competence and compliance required for Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs).

Mark Gorton

Design Director

Mark is our Design Director on a wide variety of Cowen + Partners projects with a key focus on adapting and developing new spatial strategies and solutions. With over 20 years’ experience across all RIBA stages, Mark is central to the practice’s ability to predict complex construction and viability issues at conception stages. He has led on many multifaceted residential (for sale and build-to-rent), commercial, transport and cultural schemes in the UK and globally.

Mark provides a holistic approach to design having delivered across master planning, infrastructure and architectural projects for some of the largest institutions globally. Clients benefit from his unique ability to unlock complex briefs and create the highest quality places that are viable and sustainable. This ability is rooted in his belief that successful architecture must understand how people’s lives can be improved through design that is founded in heritage, context, landscape and well-being.

Carlota Tarragona

Director - Conservation Lead

One of Cowen+Partner’s design leads, Carlota’s strong foundations in residential architecture enable her to merge innovative design with commercial viability, creating projects that are both inspiring and practical.

A passionate advocate for sustainable design, Carlota is particularly adept and experienced in restoration of listed buildings as well as reimagining of historical buildings and sites. She brings a thoughtful, eco-conscious approach to preserving heritage while introducing modern, environmentally friendly solutions. Carlota brings expect technical experience alongside her distinctive design approach to efficiently resolve complex spatial and construction issues across all stages of the design process.

Carlota takes a collaborative approach to design solutions, taking pride in fostering strong relationships with clients and consultants.

Emily Lawrence

Associate Director - Urban Design Lead

Emily leads Cowen + Partners master-planning projects. She is best known for design and delivery of complex residential and mixed-use developments, as well as award-winning masterplans.

Alongside her extensive experience in residential placemaking and urban regeneration, Emily has significant success in unlocking new towns in greenbelt locations. Emily’s key skills include a deep understanding of the potential of greenfield and urban regeneration sites whilst negotiating complex site constraints, planning policy and holding engagement with interest groups and stakeholders.

Emily prides herself on her collaborative approach, working on multi-practice masterplanning briefs. She also takes an active role in guiding the wider Cowen + Partners team in delivering design excellence.

Dan Stock

Associate Director - Head of Residential

One of Cowen+Partners leading architects, Dan designs and delivers a varied portfolio of award-winning work for resident developments; for sale, build-to-rent and masterplans.

Dan combines a natural design flare with a strong technical knowledge of how buildings are constructed and detailed. As a result, he is known for resolving complex spatial and construction issues across all RIBA stages.

Clients value Dan’s specialist expertise alongside his creative approach to problem solving across a range of urban regeneration and residential projects.

Mike Judd

Associate Director

Mike is a highly experienced Associate Director at Cowen+Partners, leading Living Sector projects alongside residential led regeneration. With over 20 years’ experience across all RIBA stages, Mike’s experience and collaborative approach enables him to lead project teams through complex schemes, delivering high quality design which delivers for all stakeholders.

Mike’s end-to-end experience across both design and delivery stages means he is able to deliver schemes which focus on high-quality design and placemaking, but which are underpinned by viability and efficiency.

Mike Joined Cowen+Partners after nearly a decade at Hawkins\Brown where he led the design of large-scale mixed use and residential projects across multiple residential sub-sectors including Market Sale, Build to Rent, Co-Living and Purpose-Built Student accommodation.

Laira Piccinato

Senior Associate

Laira has a wealth of experience in delivering high-end residential projects, from the restoration of traditional properties and listed buildings to the design of bespoke new homes. As a qualified Passivhaus Designer, she has successfully completed several net-zero projects, demonstrating her commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency.

Detail-oriented and client-focused, Laira excels at crafting inspirational homes that not only reflect her clients’ unique vision but also uphold the highest standards of design, craftsmanship, and innovation.

Liam O’Grady

Senior Associate

Liam is a Senior Associate at Cowen+Partners with over 17 years of experience working in central London. As part of the Living Sector team, he brings a wide range of residential experience spanning all RIBA Work Stages.

From leading the design development of large-scale regeneration projects at Hutchinson & Partners, such as Project Flourish, a mixed use development aiming to provide over 2,500 new homes working alongside FaulknerBrowns and Maccreanor Lavington, to the delivery of bespoke high-end projects at JRA including NEO Bankside, Liam offers a technical, compliance, and practical viewpoint to the early design stages, ensuring efficiency and continuity from conceptual design through to built reality.

Having held senior management roles in a number of prominent London practices, Liam is a proven team leader who fosters a collaborative approach. He takes the utmost responsibility for his work and strives to achieve the very best result for the client, team, end user, and ultimately, the city.

Joanna Brown

Associate

Joanna is an Associate at Cowen+Partners with a passion for both small and larger scale projects across residential and commercial sectors. She enjoys working collaboratively with clients and consultants and forming positive and valuable relationships with them. Joanna has worked with and led teams primarily on early design stages through to planning, gaining valuable experience in UK planning and building regulations.

Outside work, Joanna enjoys running and cycling. She also regularly attends GoodGym sessions, a non-profit organisation whereby participants combine exercise with helping the community and local charities.

Michael Jardine

Associate

Michael is an experienced architect of over 15 years of work on the refurbishment and extension of existing buildings, often for private end-user clients and usually working in his favoured environment of the building-site.

With a focus on creating highly personalised functional spaces and often incorporating contemporary technologies into historic built fabric, his expertise in detail and technique also inform strategic approaches to Planning Consent and achieving Building Control approval.

Olesya Nalivayko

Associate

Olesya Nalivayko is an Associate at Cowen+Partners with over 10 years of architectural experience in the UK. She earned her Master’s degree in Housing and Urbanism from the Architectural Association in 2012.

Olesya has worked on diverse projects across residential, mixed-use, commercial, and educational sectors, both in the UK and internationally. Her expertise lies in designing and delivering complex projects.

Nada Tayeb

Associate

Nada has been with Cowen+Partners since 2017 and has extensive experience in delivering several prestigious high-end residential projects. She has strong management capabilities, keen attention to detail and a collaborative mind-set that achieves high quality architectural outcomes.

Her approach is dynamic, practical, and attentive, with a commitment to working closely with clients, consultants, and contractors, to ensure the vision and brief remains at the heart of every project.

Katie Dechow

Senior Architect

Katie joined Cowen+Partners in 2020. Her approach is inspired by the belief that thoughtful design can transform everyday living, creating spaces that are both luxurious and functional. She takes pride in collaborating closely with contractors and consultants to bring a client’s vision to life, ensuring that each project is nurtured and delivered to its full potential.

Katie believes architecture is about more than just building—it’s about crafting environments that reflect the needs and aspirations of those who live in them, creating homes that truly feel like home.

Jake Holmyard

Senior Architect

Jake joined Cowen+Partners after his Part 1 studies and has since been part of the team whilst going onto completing both his Part 2 and Part 3 at the University of Westminster.

Jake has worked on a range of multi-unit residential schemes across RIBA Stages 1 to 3, working closely on façade design and developing a good knowledge of building and fire regulations. Jake enjoys organising Cowen+Partners social events, such as softball with other architectural practices.

Roberto Benitez

Senior Architect

Roberto qualified as an architect in 2014 from the University of Granada, Spain.

As a BIM specialist with a passion for innovation, Roberto is driven by the transformative potential of technology in architecture. He focuses on advancing automation, developing custom tools, and optimizing workflows to ensure precision and efficiency in every project.

His expertise in BIM processes and digital design empowers teams to deliver cutting-edge solutions that balance technical excellence with creative ambition. His efforts are dedicated to elevating project quality, optimizing efficiency, and fostering collaborative environments.

He is deeply committed to continuous learning and actively seek out emerging technologies and methodologies to advance the intersection of architecture and sustainable development.

Devika Chowgule

Senior Designer

Devika is a Senior Designer at Cowen+Partners, with a strong focus on sustainable design and urban regeneration. She is dedicated to creating socially responsible and resilient buildings that contribute positively to communities.

With extensive experience in large-scale mixed-use, luxury residential, and hospitality developments, both internationally and in the UK, Devika has honed her expertise in a diverse range of building typologies. Her passion for regeneration and experience transforming underutilised spaces into vibrant, sustainable environments have been central to her career.

Luca Pizzamiglio

Architect

Luca is a recently qualified architect with over 5 years’ experience working in large scale residential and education schemes from feasibility through to technical design and construction stage.

Luca’s passion for design is supported by a keen interest in the integration of BIM strategies in early design stages to streamline workflow ahead of technical design. Prior to joining Cowen+Partners in 2021, Luca completed his master’s degree at University of Bath, where his group project Save the Sava – Zagreb Masterplan was awarded the Stride Treglown Urban Design Prize and was nominated for the AJ Student Prize and RIBA Silver Medal.

James Rubio

Architect

James is an Architect (ARB) from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He is drawn to work that is carefully considered, conscious, and composed – gaining value through craft, materiality, and sustainability with a poetic economy of means.

He enjoys finding solutions for complicated projects through loose and precise thinking in a highly collaborative process, especially within the technical stages. He has a clear focus on innovation and technology’s impact on future city design. James has experience in various sectors including Education, Commercial, and Residential. He also has experience working in Canada as an Architectural Intern and a Carpenter’s Apprentice.

Beth Bird

Architect

Beth is a fully qualified Architect for whom the expression of materiality, craft of construction, and consideration for colour and tone sit at the heart her design ethos and practice. She believes the culmination of these principles are what make both successful places and spaces.

This outlook has enabled Beth to work across a range of scales in the residential sector, from the complexity of a detailed tender package for a client’s home, to developing strategies to deliver a new town centre for future communities.

Yee Wei Gan

Architect

Yee Wei is a fully qualified Architect with over five years of experience in large-scale residential and masterplan projects across London. She has primarily been involved in the early design stages and plays a key role in the design development process, from concept through to planning.

Driven by a passion for designing spaces that foster social and cultural connections, Yee Wei prioritises the human experience with a deep sensitivity to cultural context. She has a strong interest in architectural language, materiality, and design details. Her experience spans multiple sectors, including residential, mixed-use, commercial, workplace, and healthcare.

Kinga Ernt

Architect

Kinga obtained her architectural qualifications from University of Westminster in 2021. Post qualification she primarily worked on delivery stages of high-rise residential and commercial projects, located in the UK and internationally. Her current focus is on the early RIBA stages, where she can apply her construction knowledge to deliver imaginative yet viable designs.

Kinga is drawn to architecture due to its multidisciplinary and collaborative nature. The crossover between several disciplines provides interesting challenges across a range of creative and technical tasks. She is passionate about materiality and texture and strives to create beautiful buildings that enrich both the end users’ experience and built environment.

Donald Cokara

Visualiser

Donald is a CGI Artist at Cowen+Partners, bringing over a decade of expertise in architectural visualisation.

After earning his degree from the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia, he gained invaluable knowledge and hands-on experience at several architectural firms and CGI studios in London. In 2017, Donald joined Cowen+Partners, where he has since contributed to a wide range of dynamic and innovative projects, further refining his craft and making a significant impact within the team.

Pippa Farmer

Architectural Assistant

Pippa holds a MArch degree in Architecture from the University of Bath. Prior to joining the team, Pippa studied at Loughborough University where she obtained a BArch (Hons) degree in Architecture with a Diploma in Professional Studies.

Passionate about sustainable architecture and resilient design, Pippa places sustainability at the forefront of her work, evident by her nomination for the AJ Sustainability Student Prize in her second year and her dissertation which explored embodied carbon in flood resilient design.

Sarah Al Hasan

Architectural Assistant

Sarah is a Part II Architectural Assistant at Cowen+Partners, with a focus on visualization and design development. She is passionate about creating beautiful visuals that bring architectural concepts to life and clearly convey design intent.

Beyond her professional work, Sarah enjoys music, finding inspiration in its rhythms and harmonies, which influence her approach to design by fostering a sense of balance, flow, and composition.

Andrea Fais

Architectural Assistant

Andrea is a Part II Architectural Assistant at Cowen+Partners, focused on delivering inspired and practical design solutions, he has a strong attention to detail and a passion for creating high quality places.

Passionate about photography, Andrea focuses on capturing architecture, urban spaces, and nature, pursuits that enrich his creative perspective and inform his architectural approach.

Ioana Naghi

Architectural Assistant

Ioana is an Architectural Assistant with a Master’s degree from the Manchester School of Architecture, completed in 2023. Her thesis, HomeJoy, explored the use of computational tools to address urban sustainability, focusing on balancing affordable housing with economic feasibility. Her project earned a Future Architect Award nomination from the Manchester Society of Architects.

Ioana has gained experience in various residential projects, from large masterplans to small-scale developments; within the practice.

Alexander Grice

Architectural Assistant

Alexander is an Architectural assistant at Cowen+Partners with a passion for Urban renewal projects.

Alexander completed his RIBA Part 1 Architecture degree course at Cardiff University. In the summer of 2020, he joined Cowen+Partners. During his time at the firm, he completed his RIBA Part 2 at the University of Kent, working alongside his studies. He achieved his master’s degree with a Distinction and was nominated for the RIBA Dissertation medal for his research on Robin Hood Gardens. Prior to university Alexander was also part of an Architecture youth group called SPUD youth.

Philippe de Laroche

Architectural Assistant

Philippe completed his Masters of Architecture, with distinction, at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.

After obtaining his architectural professional registration in South Africa, he elected to further his professional development in the UK. Philippe has been a core team member on a diverse range of commercial and residential projects, developing a varied skillset for designing spaces at a variety of scales. Most notably, Philippe offers a high proficiency in various computer modelling and visualisation software as well as varied coordination and teamwork experience.

Sebastian Castrillon

Architectural Assistant

Juan Sebastian is an Architectural Assistant at Cowen+Partners. His passion for detail and creation contributes to his ability to make things happen. He enables projects to thrive by involving his skills with a pragmatic attitude engaged at each stage of the process.

Juan Sebastian is a natural problem solver and during this time at Cowen+Partners has worked in the development of complex residential projects.

Meelad Faris

Architectural Assistant

Meelad Faris, an Architectural Assistant with an MArch (Part II RIBA) from the University of Liverpool, is passionate about placemaking as a transformative architectural intervention.

She is driven by the potential of design to create environmentally conscious, community-centered spaces.

Abigail Yeboah

Architectural Assistant

As an architectural assistant, Abigail completed an M.Arch Architecture at the Bartlett, UCL in 2022, where she received a Distinction. Throughout her academic studies she has had a keen interest in vernacular ingenuity. In particular, the use of sustainable materials in vernacular technologies.

Abigail has an appreciation of traditional and classical design, exploring building technologies and materials. This has enabled her to successfully work on domestic projects in the residential sector.

Pedram Hajian Nejad

Architectural Assistant

Pedram is an Architectural Assistant at Cowen+Partners with a passion for spaces that have a positive impact on people’s daily lives.

During his Undergraduate at London Southbank University Pedram’s final year project Harnessing Velocity was nominated for an RIBA Bronze Presidents Medal and featured on Dezeen. Whilst not working he enjoys watching movies or going to the gym.

Jamie Heap

Architectural Assistant

Jamie is an Architectural Assistant at Cowen+Partners with a passion for sustainable architecture. Jamie has worked on projects such as Stratford Gasworks where he assisted in the production of planning materials.

Jamie currently works three days a week part time whilst studying for his master’s in architecture degree at the London School of Architecture.

George Gunn

Architectural Assistant

George is an Architectural Assistant at Cowen+Partners with a passion for housing and the urban living sector. With a strategic approach and design ambition, George takes pride in unlocking the potential of the most challenging sites.

Since joining us in 2022, George has worked as part of a team designing and attaining planning permission on many projects alongside a number of successful competition entries.

Florence Chong

Studio Manager, Assistant to the Directors, Communications Coordinator

Florence studied marketing in her native France before going on to work for major luxury and fashion brands in Paris and here in London. Having lived in places as far flung as Tahiti, New Zealand and the Arctic Circle, it is London that Florence is proud to call home.

As Studio Manager, Assistant to the Directors and Communications Coordinator, she handles the day-to-day requirements of the team in our busy Chelsea studio, supports the senior Directors and is also our marketing and communications liaison.

Pascal Pelosi-Campbell

Studio Assistant

As our Studio Assistant, Pascal is the front of house of the practice, welcoming and charming our visitors with his warm personality and his big smile.

An aspiring cyber security professional, his initiative and keen interest in continuous learning make him a key element in the daily running of the studio.

Pascal joined us through Good Work, an organisation that supports young people to access entry-level roles by creating equitable opportunities and lifting barriers and as an Ambassador of United Borders he aims to pass it forward and empower other young people through music.

About

Cowen+Partners is an award- winning practice driven by people: the people who commission our work, use our buildings, and fuel the communities we serve.

Our Impact

We recognise the world is accelerating and needs creative strategic responses to complex problems.

Our Team

Jo Cowen

Chris Wilkinson

Judith Topley

Gregory Malek

Mark Gorton

Carlota Tarragona

Emily Lawrence

Dan Stock

Mike Judd

Laira Piccinato

Liam O’Grady

Joanna Brown

Michael Jardine

Olesya Nalivayko

Nada Tayeb

Katie Dechow

Jake Holmyard

Roberto Benitez

Devika Chowgule

Luca Pizzamiglio

James Rubio

Beth Bird

Yee Wei Gan

Kinga Ernt

Donald Cokara

Pippa Farmer

Sarah Al Hasan

Andrea Fais

Ioana Naghi

Alexander Grice

Philippe de Laroche

Sebastian Castrillon

Meelad Faris

Abigail Yeboah

Pedram Hajian Nejad

Jamie Heap

George Gunn

Florence Chong

Pascal Pelosi-Campbell

Our Culture

ESG

Futures

Jo Cowen

Chris Wilkinson

Judith Topley

Gregory Malek

Mark Gorton

Carlota Tarragona

Emily Lawrence

Dan Stock

Mike Judd

Laira Piccinato

Liam O’Grady

Joanna Brown

Michael Jardine

Olesya Nalivayko

Nada Tayeb

Katie Dechow

Jake Holmyard

Roberto Benitez

Devika Chowgule

Luca Pizzamiglio

James Rubio

Beth Bird

Yee Wei Gan

Kinga Ernt

Donald Cokara

Pippa Farmer

Sarah Al Hasan

Andrea Fais

Ioana Naghi

Alexander Grice

Philippe de Laroche

Sebastian Castrillon

Meelad Faris

Cowen+Partners is an award-
winning practice driven
by people: the people who
commission our work, use
our buildings, and fuel the
communities we serve.