who we are
Founded in 2002 by Mike Tonkin and Anna Liu on a storytelling methodology and passion for technical innovation. We answer the unique needs of our aspirational clients through an emphatic search for optimal design solutions. A UK multi-disciplinary design studio, we have been delivering award-winning architecture, sculpture, and landscape, winning 23 RIBA Awards in 22 years. Our work has been described as both puritanical and fantastical. We put emphasis on place-making, connecting people to nature, and pioneering innovative construction techniques. Our portfolio spans varying scales and typologies, from London’s prestigious Grosvenor Square to a 40-metre tall 6mm thick structural flue tower to a fully patented airway stent developed with medical experts.
The connecting force behind all our projects is research, storytelling, technical innovation and nature. From our RIBA Research Grant- funded Shell Lace Structures, to Red Mud (Alluminium Waste) and ACORN (Automated Concrete) research projects, we combine artisan crafts with leading digital fabrication tools, delivering unique, and sustainable outcomes in cost, environmental and social terms. In the past 30 years, we have built long-standing collaborations through academia, art, engineering, and construction, with world-leading consultants in a multitude of diverse fabricators.
Mike Tonkin Director
PhD, MA, RCA, ARB, RIBA, FRSA
Mike Tonkin established his practice after leaving the RCA in 1989 and founded Tonkin Liu with Anna Liu in 2002. Mike’s professional practice has been consistently informed by a distinctive pursuit of formal lessons observed from the natural world. The work has also been informed by an understanding of vernacular architecture observed during extensive travels around the world. Over the last twenty years Mike has taught and lectured at numerous schools of architecture, including the AA, the Bartlett School of Architecture (University College London), the University of Cambridge, Bath, the RCA and
the University of Westminster. He lectures on a number of subjects including global vernacular architecture, and nature-focused, place-specific, storytelling methodology for architectural innovation.
Anna Liu Director
ARB RIBA FRSA
Anna is a qualified architect with experience in architecture,
art, and landscape, encompassing work in the UK, China, Japan, the US where she grew up, and Taiwan where she was born. In her early career, Anna worked for Arup Associates in Hong Kong, London, and Manchester, on the Hong Kong Central Station and Manchester Stadium. She set up Tonkin Liu with Mike Tonkin in 2002. Together they taught
at the Architectural Association School of Architecture for four
years, exploring studies of patterns in nature and in human
nature, an area they further explored years later with students
at the University of Westminster and at universities in Japan,
and Taiwan
Catherine Healy Associate
MArch BSc (Hons)
Catherine joined the studio in 2019 and is currently Project Architect for York Minster Centre of Excellence. She has also led the Grays project consisting of two buildings integrated into a Thames industrial riverfront landscape in Thurrock, and also led the successful public consultation for Grosvenor Square, which received planning in 2022.
Hannah Lewis Associate
MArch BSc (Hons)
Hannah joined the practice in 2021 and became an Associate in 2024. She currently leads an energy centre project in Notting Dale and three public artworks in Toronto, while overseeing design competitions and job leads. She is also working on the publication of 'Asking Looking Playing Making', a nature-inspired design process for architects and students.
Kate McGreevy Associate Practice Manager
BA (Hons)
Kate first joined the practice in 2016, Kate has over 10 years experience in business and finance management, she is responsible for company finances, project resourcing and supporting the Directors with business strategies. Kate was made an Associate in 2022. When she's not working, you'll find her being creative in the kitchen.
Lucia Echevarria Studio Manager
BA
Lucia joined Tonkin Liu in 2022. Previously, she worked as a producer in the fashion industry, but her growing interest in architecture motivated her career change. Lucia's diligence and organising skills help the practice run smoothly, and provide the team with an organised and creative environment. Lucia hopes to learn more about the design and building process.
Amy Grounsell Architectural Designer
MA MArch
Amy is an Architectural Designer and also teaches at London MET. Amy is interested in accelerating nature connectivity with young people and urban re-wilding. At Tonkin Liu, Amy is leading a river-front landscape and performance arts centre that connects the community with the Thames’ foreshore & ecology.
Catherine Hennessy Practice Advisor
ARB RIBA BA (Hons Arch), DipArch, BA (Fine Art)
Catherine joined the team in 2020 as an advisor, bringing with her over 35 years' experience in architectural practice and construction. She helps the team with all aspects of project and practice management, and technical reviews of projects. Catherine also has a degree in Fine Art - and when she's not drawing she's running.
collaborators
Alongside core team, our network of unique SMEs and specialist collaborators are tabled below.
20 years in teaching, practice, and research have connected us to an immense network of unique, trusted specialists. They are like-minded, highly-talented individuals extremely committed to what they do. Each project has had a highly bespoke team consisting of these individuals, a significant factor in our ability to deliver high quality, innovative, award-winning projects.
academic and professional
The studio has a strong relationship with world-leading architecture schools. Mike and Anna have taught, lectured, and examined internationally for over twenty years. Engaging in an active network of both academics and practitioners pushes the innovative practice-based research being undertaken by the studio, as evident in the RIBA Research award-winning and Innovate UK-funded Shell Lace Stent. Teaching also establishes an opportunity for the studio to offer something back to the profession, through helping to educate the next generation of architects.
workshops and lectures
Open City Architecture in Schools, 2019
Essex Quality Review, Panel Member, 2019
London South Bank University, Lecture, 2018
Victoria and Albert Museum, Workshop, 2016
Oxford Brookes, Lecture, 2016
Royal College of Art Service Design, Workshop Leader, 2015
Kent School of Architecture, Lecture, 2015
jury and advisory appointments
Open City Trustee, 2022 - present
RIBA London Awards juror, 2022
RIBA London Awards juror, 2021
RIBA Stephen Lawrence Prize juror, 2019
RIBA London Awards juror, 2019
RIAS Architecture Award juror, 2018
RIBA East Awards juror, 2012
RIBA South Awards jury chair, 2009
RIBA North Awards juror, 2008
RIBA Sustainability by Design Awards juror, 2006
RIBA National Awards shortlisting juror, 2005
Golden Lane Campus Development, Architectural Advisor, 2005-06
Architecture Foundation, Architectural Advisor, 2000-01
teaching
University of Sheffield, Visiting Practice Professor, 2019- Present
University of Dundee, External Examiner, 2018- Present
University of Bath, Teaching Fellow, 2017- Present
Bartlett School of Architecture, Teaching Fellow, 2017- Present
Bartlett School of Architecture, BSc Examiner, 2017-21
Bartlett School of Architecture, MArch Examiner, 2016-20
Royal College of Art, PhD Examiner, 2017
University of Bath, Visiting Critic, 2012-17
University of Westminster, Unit Tutors, 2013-15
Tung Hai University (Taichung), Visiting Tutors and Lecturers, 2011
Jiao Tung University (Hsin Chu), Visitor Lecturers, 2011
National Cheng Kung University (Tainan), Visitor Tutors and Lecturers, 2010-11
Waseda University (Tokyo), Visiting Lecturers, 2010
Shih Chien University (Taipei), Visiting Tutors and Lecturers, 2010-12
University of Bath, Visiting Tutor and Lecturer, 2009-12
University of Cambridge, Visiting Critic, 2008-11
Bartlett School of Architecture, Visiting Critic, 2006-16
University of North London, Unit Tutors, 1998-99
Chinese University of Hong Kong, Part-time Lecturer, 1996-97