A large group of people pose together for a photo in an indoor, festive setting. Some are holding cups, many are smiling, and several have their hands raised in celebration. Holiday lights and decorations enhance the interior design in the background. The mood is joyful and lively.

This is Leonard Life Exploring future thinking and creating innovative design, inspired by collaboration.

Naturally inquisitive, we have a strong desire to influence the world around us, taking an active role in guiding key insights, innovations and challenging convention.

Leonard Green

A sustainability research and action group, focusing on reducing the carbon footprint of our projects and our lives. We look at the effects of our actions as a practice, designers and individuals. We share knowledge and resources with our colleagues and clients, supporting all of our projects.

Leonard Code

We are specialists in computational design, aiming to leverage advanced methods to solve complex design challenges, improve and challenge traditional workflow and create custom design tools. We constantly explore new technologies as well as AI, to aid innovative design solutions.

Leonard Grow

Each year Leonard Grow organises seasonal events, workshops, social activities and newsletters that focus on growing food both at home and in the office. We even have our very own hydroponic system, allowing us to eat homegrown greens.

Leonard Detail

We are experts in resolving technical design and detailing queries for all stages of our architectural projects. This includes building regulation compliance, construction details and material selection.

A man stands pointing at a bulletin board with images on it, while three people sit at a table listening to him attentively. The setting appears to be an office or classroom, possibly engaged in a masterplanning session, with chairs and various objects in the background. The image is in black and white.

It’s our people and their daily experiences that drive us. We talk, listen, and share our ideas, making sure our team feel supported and inspired in a fun, inclusive and dynamic work environment.

A man and a woman enjoy looking at a detailed architectural model with small trees and buildings in what appears to be a modern office setting. The man, in a light green jacket, and the woman, smiling in glasses and a light gray top, seem to be reviewing work from Leonard Design Architecture.

In the early stages of a project, we collaborate in small groups to brainstorm ideas and push the boundaries of design. We encourage everyone to use their voice and to initiate insightful discussions, regardless of job title or discipline.

Design Huddles

A woman with long blonde hair, wearing a black top, smiles while looking at someone off-camera. The background is blurred, and two hands are visible in the foreground, holding an object. The setting appears to be indoors, potentially showcasing Leonard Design Interiors in a casual or social environment.

Each month we all have the opportunity to nominate someone who has helped us and gone ‘Above and Beyond’. It’s a great chance to support and encourage our colleagues who have gone the extra mile, and ensures it is recognised by the whole team.

Above and Beyond

Two people, both wearing glasses, are smiling and looking upwards. The person on the left has long dark hair and is wearing a white shirt. The person on the right has short brown hair and is wearing a green polka-dotted shirt. They're sitting at a table indoors surrounded by modern interiors.

A series of short, internal presentations where team members can share their expertise on a chosen subject. It’s a great opportunity for us to learn, listen and share our knowledge.

Leonard Espresso/Latte

A man wearing glasses and a striped shirt is giving a presentation. He is pointing at a screen displaying a detailed aerial view of a complex labeled with various sectors, which Leonard Design contributed to. The background shows a lush green landscape and buildings within the complex.

Our monthly team meetings allow us to catch up and collaborate across our offices. They keep us connected and up to date on important office and project news.

Team Meetings

We believe in creating opportunities for growth within the company, so that we all have the chance to succeed and reach our career goals at Leonard Design.

Mentors

Everyone at Leonard Design is allocated a mentor, someone outside of your day to day team to provide regular support on a professional and personal level.

Self Reflection/Career Reviews

At the start of each year, everyone meets with a senior member of the team to discuss and plan out the steps they need to take to progress and develop.

Training

It’s a priority to provide the resources our team need to develop their skill-set. We support this through professional training, exhibitions, talks, events or wherever they find inspiration.

Placements and RIBA Mentoring

We support future talent through placements and mentoring schemes. Young designers gain hands-on experience working on real projects, whilst refreshing our own thinking and creative processes.

Work Experience

We regularly inspire the next generation through engaging work experience. Students work on real briefs with support from our team, whilst gaining insight into the world of design and office life.

Architecture Apprenticeship

Partnering closely with Nottingham’s Universities, we are supporting several team members through the Architecture Degree Apprenticeship Programme, where they undertake practice-based research to enhance their own learning whilst benefitting the wider sector.

The bonds that unite our people are strengthened by a whole host of initiatives, events, and social activities. We also embrace hybrid working and open leave.

Three people are sitting outdoors on a grassy area, enjoying a picnic. They are smiling and holding sandwiches. The person in the middle, who works for Leonard Design, is wearing sunglasses and a black jacket, while the other two have glasses and are dressed in red and blue jackets.

Once a year our whole team comes together for a day out to catch up away from our desks. Each year focuses on a different activity, which celebrate an active lifestyle and the well-being of our team.

Away Days

A group of five people are smiling and posing for a photo at a social event. The person in the front is holding a drink and laughing. They are in a lively environment with dim lighting, featuring stylish interior design elements, and there appears to be a sign in the background.

We don’t need much of an excuse to get together and have a good time. Our Summer family days and Christmas parties are always in unique settings.

Seasonal Parties

Three men walk together on a dirt path in a wooded area, dressed in jackets and carrying backpacks. The man on the right wears a red jacket, the man in the middle sports a green jacket and maroon beanie, while the man on the left dons a black jacket. Their coordinated style showcases an understated elegance reminiscent of Leonard Design principles.

We trust in our team, and believe in the quality of work produced as much as the hours worked. Our open leave policy allows for some flex and additional periods of leave beyond the annual allowance.

Open Leave

A grayscale image shows a man in a white shirt holding a bottle, smiling and engaging with a group of people at a social gathering against the backdrop of modern architecture. Other individuals are visible in the background, talking and mingling.

It’s a firmly upheld tradition that at 5 o’clock every Friday, we enjoy a drink together in the office as we wind down at the end of the working week.

Friday Beer O’Clock

Two people stand closely together, smiling and looking down. The person on the right has short hair, glasses, and is wearing a patterned sweater. The person on the left, partially visible, is also wearing glasses. With a soft focus on the wooden texture behind them, it evokes a Leonard Design aesthetic.

The Leonard Design Book Club was set up by those of us with a real passion for books. It has become a great platform for recommending, sharing, learning and initiating conversations on important topics.

Book Club

A man wearing glasses and a blue striped shirt is smiling while talking on a headset. He is seated at a desk with bookshelves in the background, showcasing an exquisite interior design as he focuses on his work.

We recognise the world of work has been forever changed since the pandemic and offer hybrid working to all of our employees, with a minimum of two days in the office per week to connect face to face with each other.

Hybrid/Flexible Working

A group of people enthusiastically raise their glasses together in a cozy pub setting with brick walls and warm lighting, illustrating the convivial spirit that Leonard Design aims to capture in their architecture. Some sit on chairs, while others stand, smiling and looking relaxed. The atmosphere appears friendly and celebratory.

Although we work really hard, we do like to play hard too, and there’s always some sort of social activity going on after hours. It might be a drink after work or an organised evening out. And if it’s your birthday, don’t expect it to go unnoticed. We love sharing all personal celebrations and achievements.

Socials and Celebrations

A person in a dark blue jacket and a wristwatch is carefully transplanting a small green plant into a white pot filled with soil. Other gardening materials are visible in the background, reminiscent of an interior design project by Leonard Design, where every detail matters.

What started as a number of competitive initiatives to connect us during lockdown, became so much fun they are now an integral part of our culture. As a result, we are now expert photographers, bakers and gardeners!

Competitions

A man with a bald head and glasses is smiling. He is wearing a black polo shirt with a red poppy pin on the left side. The blurred background highlights his cheerful demeanor, making him stand out like a well-crafted element in graphic design.

Giving back is really important to us, and on a personal and professional level, many of our team are involved in organising or taking part in charity and community led initiatives. That may be supporting worthy causes, donating gifts or unwanted items, or giving up their time to help others.

Charity and Community

A smiling woman holds a pink cocktail with a leaf garnish at a stylishly designed table by a window, offering a panoramic city view in the background. On the table are another drink, a small dish of food, and some chopsticks. The meticulous interiors suggest she is at an exquisitely planned restaurant or bar.

Each year we like to give the team some little rewards and incentives for their effort and commitment, the latest of which is the famed ‘Golden Ticket’. It’s an opportunity to enjoy an evening out with a loved one or close friend, and it’s on us!

Golden Ticket Voucher

A group of people practicing squats in an indoor setting, possibly an office with modern architecture. They are lined up in two rows, facing the window, and appear to be engaged in a fitness activity. Some people are kneeling and others are squatting, with hands clasped together.

Squats, planks, lunchtime runs, cycling, walks; makes you out of breath just thinking about it! These are just a few of the things we try and build into our working week to keep us active, feeling good and above all else, having fun.

Challenges

A young man with short brown hair is sitting at a table, holding a wrapped sandwich and smiling. He is wearing a blue sweatshirt. Another person, partially visible, sits across from him in the tastefully designed interior. They are inside a well-lit room with a large window in the background.

It might be Blue Monday, a CPD seminar, or just friends enjoying a natter, our offices are set up with break out space for people to enjoy lunch with their coworkers. We might also organise the occassional ‘fuddle’ or just get the pizzas in as a treat.

Group Lunches

Two people are smiling and posing for the camera. The woman on the left, with a touch of Leonard Design flair, is holding a gold gift bag, while the man on the right is holding a bouquet of white and green flowers. They are standing indoors in front of a mirror, their surroundings hinting at intricate interior design details.

We like to give our people little surprises and rewards. You might turn up for work to find a treat on your desk, for no reason at all. You could also expect to receive some Easter chocolate, a valentines card through the post, or even a luxury hamper for Christmas!

Gifts and Rewards

We are proud to celebrate our shared values, but we also embrace what makes us different. Ours is a respectful and inclusive environment where diversity thrives.

We encourage the team to talk about their experiences, backgrounds and culture. We also have regular guest speakers who come in to share their stories with the team, and help to support our goal of #breakthebias. Recent talks have included:

Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity (Switch Up) Marcellus Baz
Financial Wellbeing Ryan Oates
Breaking the Bias Stephen Fernandez
England Hockey Team Giselle Ansley MBE and David Ames
The Menopause Years Sally Bolton
Overcoming Challenges with Hearing Loss Josh Feldman
Empowering those with Curly and Textured Hair Jessica Parrish
WOW Foundation (Women of the World) Jude Kelly

A woman with curly dark hair gestures expressively with both hands while speaking. She is wearing a black top, and small string lights can be seen blurred in the background, giving an ambiance reminiscent of Leonard Design Interiors. An individual wearing a dark shirt is partially visible in the foreground.

Whilst we celebrate International Women’s Day and Men’s Day on the two globally recognised calendar dates, at Leonard Design we have several initiatives throughout the year to support our team. This includes raising awareness through presentations and discussions, book clubs, charity events and mentoring.

A black-and-white photo shows a group of people engaged in conversation at a social event. A woman in a polka dot dress is smiling and talking with another woman who is holding a drink. The stylish interiors feature elegant decor, with two other individuals in the foreground, partially visible.

Every few months we enjoy group lunches where we all bring in food for everyone to share. It’s a great chance to try cuisine and flavours from other cultures and to socialise as a team over our lunch breaks.

Four women are engaged in a casual gathering. One woman in the foreground, with short reddish-brown hair and wearing glasses, is bending over a table covered in graphic design materials. Another woman with blonde hair and a sleeveless dress holds food. Two others, also holding food, are engaged in conversation.

We are proud to support and celebrate the many holidays and festivals from our team’s diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, including Chinese New Year, Korean New Year, Diwali, Eid, Easter and Christmas amongst others.

Two people in an office are crafting with large, fluffy paper flowers. One person holds a flower while the other adjusts it. They appear focused and engaged in the activity. In the background, another person at a desk works on a computer, likely drafting plans for Leonard Design's latest masterplanning project.

We are committed to taking care of each other and our overall well-being. Feeling good both mentally and physically are equally as important to us.

We encourage and support an active lifestyle through regular initiatives including running clubs, yoga and pilates classes, cycle to work schemes, squat challenges and lunchtime walks.

Keeping
Active

The mental well-being of our team is our highest priority. We are always here to listen, but also have a network of resources available such as mental health first aiders and online therapy. Everyone is given the opportunity to join our private health insurance scheme with Vitality, which includes a huge range of health benefits.

Feeling
Good

We are a dedicated bunch when it comes to work of course, but we also place great value in a healthy work/life balance.

The many creative hobbies, passions and interests we pursue in our free time only serve to fuel our collective imaginations yet further, and harness a truly diverse and broader range of skills.

We are
Artists
Bakers/Cooks
Crafters/Printmakers
Cyclists
Fitness/Sports Coaches
Gardeners
Golfers
Home Improvers
Martial Arts Practitioners
Microbrewers
Musicians
Outdoor Enthusiasts
Photographers
Podcasters
Prison Employment Advisors
Runners
Skiers
Writers

Meet the Team

Check out our wonderful people, hear about what motivates and inspires them throughout the day, and what they think of life at Leonard Design.

Join Us

We are always on the look out for talented people. Take a look at our current vacancies, give us a call or send in your CV and let’s talk.

Clients and Collaborators

We work with the best, and have long-lasting relationships with some of the most exceptional clients and collaborators in the world.

Awards and Accreditation

Check out some of the awards we have won for our projects, as well as for how we run our business, our quality systems and accreditation.