Say hello to Roman, our Global Design Director, who has been part of Kettle Collective’s journey from the very beginning, helping to shape visionary projects across the UK and MENA regions.

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1. What brought you to Kettle Collective, and what were you doing before?
‍Joining Kettle Collective was a natural step for me — I knew the founders long before the studio existed. We had worked together on several iconic projects in Russia and China, from landmark towers to a full aviation city in Zhuhai. ‍

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2. What are some key milestones in your career so far?
‍I joined Kettle Collective during its early startup phase and had the rare opportunity to grow with it. From Architectural Designer to Global Design Director, I’ve built and led talented teams of urban designers and landscape architects working internationally. Recently, I helped establish our London studio and assembled a new team of architects there. ‍

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3. What has been your most significant Kettle Collective project or team memory?
‍Strangely enough, some of the best memories come from moving offices. First in Edinburgh, then years later in London. Everyone came together to create a new home for the studio, and it was a genuine team-building moment. Seeing people grow within the company has also been deeply rewarding. ‍

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4. What was your role in the project?
‍Over the past 13 years, I’ve worked across many, but for the last eight years, I’ve been leading design and vision of masterplan developments in the MENA region. I believe every great project begins with a strong story. Without it, there is no real architecture. ‍

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6. What projects are you currently working on, and what excites you about them?
‍We’re currently developing several major masterplans in Muscat, including residential and large-scale landscape projects. What excites me most is seeing how design can shape communities and enhance the identity of a place. ‍

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7. What do you enjoy most about your job and working in this industry?
‍The greatest satisfaction comes from sharing knowledge and watching people grow. I love defining visions for projects, solving complex design problems, and helping teams navigate both creative and human challenges. ‍

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8. What inspires you in architecture?
‍I’ve never followed a single “starchitect” – I take inspiration from many places and disciplines. Recently, Thomas Heatherwick’s Humanise made me reflect more deeply on human-centred design and the emotional side of architecture. ‍

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9. Do you have a favourite quote or phrase you live by?
‍Albert Einstein once said, “If I had an hour to solve a problem, I'd spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and five minutes thinking about solutions.” It perfectly captures my approach to design. ‍

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10. What do you enjoy outside of work?
‍I enjoy reading about marketing, branding, and business strategy. I also train for triathlons and, at the moment, I’m studying Arabic.

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To learn more about our design team, visit our team page.