The Studio
Founded in 2014 by James Cooper and Melanie David de Sauzea, Locus Design brings together over 30 years of relevant experience from previous international design practices they have worked for, including a wide range of exclusive private residential and work place projects both in the UK and abroad.
Our Values
Our founding principle is that the design of a good sustainable home should encompass every facet of our clients’ lives, from the everyday mundane to the inspired, from moments of calm reflection to those of joy and laughter. Equally, we recognise that it can be a place of gathering and celebration, a place of work, a place of rest and a place to reconnect to nature and the world beyond.
Our Approach
We take a collaborative and personal approach to working with our clients, enabling us to truly understand who they are, how they live and how they might want to live in the future. This places our clients at the very heart of their own project, and allows their new home to reflect their unique needs and aspirations.
James Cooper
With over 25 years of experience working in the UK, France and Middle East, James is a practising RIBA registered architect and co-founder of Locus Design. More recently he has also become a certified Passive House designer.
Prior to this, James was also founding director at the design studio, Urban Velvet Design, where he was responsible for leading the architecture, interior design and project management teams on a number of large residential, hotel and work place projects. He also previously worked for international architecture and design practice BDP, where he was responsible for several significant Grade I listed and award winning sustainable projects.
His expertise and leadership in overseeing such complex projects has meant that very often James also takes on the role of a ‘client representative’ and ‘design adviser’, acting directly on behalf of his international clients on their large super prime residential projects.
His passion for high quality sustainable design in every aspect of life continues to be at the heart of everything we do at Locus Design.
Melanie David de Sauzea
Melanie is a CFAI French registered interior architect and designer with over 15 years experience. Prior to co-founding Locus Design in 2014 she was a senior design associate at Lawson Robb and the head of interiors at Urban Velvet Design. Melanie has overseen a wide range of high end private residential, boutique hotel and work place projects in the UK, and abroad.
Melanie also has an extensive experience in the role of client representative and design adviser, giving her a clear and intuitive understanding of the exacting needs of her clients.
“Melanie took the time to understand what we liked, and didn’t like, creating beautifully laid out rooms. She is a joy to work with and has a great eye for design and detail.”
Feel free to call us for a chat
