The Thinking Hand Studio

The Thinking Hand Studio is a London-based architecture practice founded by ARB registered architect Rion Willard. The studio designs extraordinary homes to house extraordinary lives, specialising in high-end, bespoke residential work: tailor-made new homes, refurbishments and renovations for private clients.

Rion Willard studied at the Bartlett School of Architecture (UCL) and gained professional qualifications at Cambridge. Before founding the studio he worked at design-led international practices including Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners and Grimshaw, contributing to residential, cultural and infrastructure projects.

Alongside the practice, Rion hosts the Business of Architecture UK podcast and works with architects on the commercial side of running a studio: fees, client acquisition and building a profitable, sustainable practice.

Rion joined the Architecture Social Podcast to talk about the fee squeeze, bottlenecks in architectural practice, and the commercial realities behind delivering good work.