Architects and Designers gather at The Plaza for immersive mentorship event.
With the new year well underway, Liverpool native Ryan Wenham is reflecting on one of his standout successes of 2025, as plans get underway to develop its next iteration.
In November, Wenham’s firm, Larsen Architecture, hosted the first-ever Designer Studio event, bringing together architects and designers from across the UK for an immersive two-day, in-person experience focused on growth, collaboration and business development.
The event had been in development for some time, with a clear aim from the outset to create an experience that was practical, supportive and genuinely valuable for everyone involved.
Feedback from attendees, who descended on Liverpool from throughout the UK, was overwhelmingly positive, reinforcing the importance of community and shared learning within the design industry. “I was so excited for it,” said Wenham, a Chartered Architect and Registered Interior Designer. “We had a room full of talented, like-minded people who were there to support and encourage each other, and we were lucky enough to be at the centre of it.”
Across the two days, participants took part in a wide range of hands-on and discussion-led sessions. Designers created mood boards to explore their creative direction, discussed marketing and PR strategies, and worked through the practical realities of running and growing a design business.
A key element of the programme was Insights Discovery coaching, delivered by organisational psychologist and careers specialist Marc Prats, helping attendees better understand how they communicate, collaborate and work together more effectively.
Participants were supported by Larsen Architecture co-founders Wenham and Prats, alongside photographer Nick Malone and public relations agency Sycamore Communications, offering a rounded perspective on both creative and commercial development.
Feedback from attendees reflected the impact of the event on their confidence and professional outlook. “I feel we’re in a group of really like-minded people, and they’ve done a great job of making us all feel comfortable,” said Alex Bellamy, a Concept Designer from London. “The course is fantastic,” added Zaeem Ahmed, an Architectural Designer from Essex. “For me, what is really helpful is Ryan being a mentor.”
The Designer Studio runs alongside Larsen Architecture’s Designer Business Programme, which supports early-career architects and interior designers to build sustainable, commercially successful practices without losing sight of their creative values. The programme focuses on bridging the gap between design education and the realities of professional practice.
“We had so much fun over the two days and we cannot wait for the next Designer Studio,” Wenham added. Interior Designer Maria Pace, from London, echoed that sentiment, saying, “Just go and do it. Don’t overthink it.”
For more information about the Designer Business Programme and the 2026 Designer Studio event, visit Larsen Architecture online.
