When Newport Pagnell-based architect Lucy Kuhar walked onto the stage to collect her Women Leaders UK Award 2025, it marked not only a career milestone but also a deeply personal turning point.
“Winning the Women Leaders UK Award has been incredible, something I’m truly proud of,” says Lucy, founder of Lumin Architects. “The response has been overwhelming – enquiries from people who connect with our work, messages of support from across the industry, and conversations that reaffirm why I do what I do.”
For Lucy, the award arrived at exactly the right time. Having stepped away for maternity leave, she used that pause to reflect on the kind of business she wanted to build. “Motherhood was the most pivotal moment for me,” she says. “My son came to meetings and even site visits in his carrier. Those early months gave me clarity: I wanted to create a practice rooted in authenticity and purpose – to show him, and my clients, that work can be deeply rewarding when it’s true to your values.”
From Slovenia to Buckinghamshire
Lucy grew up in Slovenia, surrounded by alpine landscapes and traditional architecture. A childhood spent playing piano, painting, tackling DIY projects with her dad, and competing at chess fed both her creativity and her love of problem-solving. “It was during my teenage years that I realised architecture was the perfect outlet for both sides of me,” she recalls.
After completing a master’s degree in architecture, she moved to London, working for several high-profile practices on projects ranging from large-scale mixed-use developments to bespoke residential schemes. By 2019, she was ready to go it alone, founding Lumin Architects to place people and sustainability at the heart of design.
“I felt there was a gap in the industry for a studio that looked beyond aesthetics to the real lives unfolding in homes,” she says. “I wanted to create spaces that feel deeply personal, rooted in meaningful connections and thoughtful design.”
Designing with Clarity and Care
Lucy describes Lumin’s approach as sustainability with soul. For her, true eco-conscious design isn’t about ticking boxes but making conscious choices that fit how families really live. “Good orientation, natural ventilation, long-lasting materials – these don’t have to cost more. They just require planning,” she explains.
She often begins a project by listening closely to her clients’ stories. “Every home has a story. My job is to uncover it and make sure the design reflects who they are. It’s about alignment, not compromise.”
That philosophy has informed projects ranging from a family home renovation in Camden, which transformed a dark space into a light-filled sanctuary, to a stables annexe conversion in a conservation area, balancing heritage sensitivity with modern sustainability. Locally, Lucy is working on a listed property near Towcester and several family home renovations across Buckinghamshire.
Balancing Business and Family Life
Since moving to Buckinghamshire just before the pandemic, Lucy has embraced a slower pace of life while continuing to grow her practice. “Buckinghamshire felt like the right balance – close enough to London but with space and calm for our family,” she says.
Running a business alongside raising a young child has required adaptation. “It’s a constant juggle – nursery days, naptimes, evenings once he’s asleep. But working part-time has actually been a gift. It pushed me to step fully into the role of director, build systems, and run the business in a more strategic way. Now I can focus on the parts that matter most – creative direction and vision.”
She is candid about the wider challenges facing women in architecture. “We need to showcase that there’s no single way to lead. Women shouldn’t have to choose between family life and entrepreneurship. That means building businesses, mentoring the next generation, and daring to take our place.
Homes That Breathe
Lucy’s design ethos has evolved through both professional experience and motherhood. “I design not just with parents in mind, but with children too. Homes should adapt and breathe with family life, not just look good at handover.”
Her vision extends beyond private homes. She is exploring modular and community-led housing concepts, addressing loneliness, affordability, and climate resilience. “Good design doesn’t just make things beautiful – it makes life more generous, more joyful, more human,” she says.
Looking ahead, Lucy wants Lumin to remain small in size but big in impact. “I see Lumin becoming the go-to studio for families who want sustainable, soulful homes that stand the test of time. We want to be the partner developers turn to when they need clarity, creativity and care.”
From award-winning homes to community housing models, Lucy Kuhar is united by one principle: designing spaces that feel as good as they look. “Home is about people first,” she says simply. “Everything else follows from that.”
