Living Space Architects is an award-winning chartered RIBA practice based in Exeter, Devon. Established in 2004 by Kirsty Curnow-Bayley and Stuart Bayley, we have a passion for creating well-designed, imaginative and exciting projects that are both environmentally and socially sustainable. We specialise in sustainable contemporary design and the alteration and adaption of historic buildings. By using local materials, maintaining an environmental approach and designing and building in an innovative way that compliments the surroundings, we aim to keep the South West special.

Working with Living Space Architects has made our project perfect. At our initial visit Stuart had the ability to draw plans to scale listening to my ideas and incorporating his. We had overall vision which has now been finished and works perfectly for our family.

Leisha ClistReplacement Dwelling, Hemyock

We had a really positive experience working with Living Space Architects. They came recommended and we were very impressed by their broad repertoire of styles in their previous work. From the start, they really listened and took time to understand our likes and dislikes, and what we wanted to achieve with our new extension. Living Space were very professional from start to finish and the process felt truly collaborative. The final design met our brief brilliantly and we are delighted with the end result! We would thoroughly recommend Living Space Architects.

Victoria MohanRear Extension, Exeter

We loved working with Stuart and Kirsty, they interpreted our brief perfectly and supported us so much through a tough planning process. We have been able to build a beautiful and sympathetic grand design on a tight budget in an almost impossible location.

Amy GreenmanNew House, Dunsford

Kirsty was pivotal in returning our home to its current condition, blending very old with contemporary and very modern. We are delighted with the result and we would recommend Living Space Architects to any prospective clients.Everything now works 100%, the building breathes again and will be on track for the next 100 years for sure. Thanks Kirsty!

Sue & Geoff EdwardsRestoration & Alteration of Staddon’s House

Living Space Architects are a lovely team with a personal touch that engenders confidence and optimism. I would recommend them to anyone. From the outset of our project, Kirsty, Kate, Stuart and the office have been attentive and approachable – listening to us and helping us work through our ideas. They have been supportive with the specific challenges of difficult neighbours and planning consent. They gave us chocolate and flowers when our baby was born. But above all, they have been respectful and open to our input into the design process, allowing the process to be immersive, challenging and rewarding. We look forward to our continued positive relationship as our project proceeds.

Alex AllanNew Sustainable House, Ide, Exeter

We set up in 2004 when I convinced Stuart to move back down to Devon with me from London! 14 years later we are still passionate about creating contemporary design that relates well to the landscape and creates a strong sense of place.

Kirsty Curnow-BayleyDirector

We described what we wanted and Living Space gave us so much more.  The quality of the extension is stunning and the works to the house exceeded our sustainability goals.

Keith ClarkeExtension & Refurbishment, Looe / Balla Brook Buddhist Retreat

Living Space Architects took over from our previous designer who was taking too long, and in a very short time, we had a new, much better and affordable design. 

Mark DunkNew House, Devon

We pride ourselves on getting to know our clients and their businesses so that we can understand what’s important to them. We balance inspirational design with the realities of our client’s brief and budget.

Stuart BayleyDirector
Kirsty Curnow-Bayley

Kirsty Curnow-Bayley

Director

BA Hons Arch Dip Arch RIBA

A RIBA Conservation Architect and one of the founding directors of Living Space Architects, Kirsty completed her degree in Architecture at Oxford Brookes in 1996 and Masters at Bartlett (UCL). She has worked for Chapman Taylor and Thomas de Cruz Architects in London, specialising in housing, contemporary design and conservation. In 2004, she co-founded LSA with Stuart Bayley.

Proudest moment at LSA:
Gaining a Devon Historic Building Trust award for our work to alter and repair Staddon’s Cottage, a Listed Medieval Dartmoor longhouse.

Stuart Bayley

Stuart Bayley

Director

A RIBA chartered architect, Stuart completed Part 1 at the University of Manchester, Part 2 at the University of Leicester and Part 3 at the University College London. He has worked for a variety of practices in the Lake District and Northampton, as well as Chapman Taylor in London, where he met his now wife and LSA co-director Kirsty. Stuart has had significant experience in housing during his career and has had the opportunity to work on a diverse portfolio of schemes within the sector.
Proudest moment at LSA:
Seeing the team grow and develop alongside our designs which have expanded to match our ambition, becoming more distinctive and adventurous.

Ellen Sinclair

Ellen Sinclair

Project Architect

Ellen joined Living Space as our Project Architect.

Ellen is very thorough in all her work with an excellent approach to the technical details and smooth running of our projects.

She has a keen interest in residential architecture, especially lifetime living homes.

In her spare time, she enjoys exploring Devon and Cornwall and travelling abroad.

Cassidy Perkin

Cassidy Perkin

Technician

Cassidy joined Living Space 2022.

He is a wizard on our 3d software - creating 3d drawings of our designs for clients to explore in 3d and VR.

Sophie Batten

Sophie Batten

Interiors and Administration

Sophie is our interior designer and administration support.

She is most excited about being part of the DIY SOS team undertaking a community centre new build in 10 days!