Studio Chik is a multi-disciplinary architecture, interior and design studio based in London. Founded by Chikako Kanamoto, the practice is dedicated to delivering a tailored approach to every client’s needs, offering a bespoke solution for each project. We focus on a simple, yet inspiring design solution which embodies rich, personal character.  The studio combines a collaborative working process with the consultant team, excellent creative design skills and extensive construction knowledge and experience in a wide range of projects. This successful blend provides a firm platform to deliver projects of varied scale and complexity across multiple sectors in the U.K and worldwide. 

Chikako Kanamoto

Founder 

BArch, DipArch, ARB (UK)  1st Class registered architect (Japan) 

Following her graduation from the Mackintosh School of Architecture at the Glasgow School of Art, Chikako started her architectural career at Toyo Ito Associates and Architects in Tokyo. During these formative years, she developed and refined her design philosophy to blend her interests in materiality, colour, texture and complex building geometries. 

Chikako has designed and delivered a wide range of buildings around the world. After completing her Diploma at the Bartlett School of Architecture at UCL, she joined Wilkinson Eyre Architects (WEA), where she primarily worked on the public buildings in the culture and education sectors. She was the project architect for the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth, which has received numerous awards, including the RIBA national award in 2014.   

Having completed several high-profile, complex, large scale projects, Chikako sought to broaden her experience by honing her craft of building design and production through a series of smaller, more focussed projects. She joined Michaelis Boyd Associates (MBA) where she was the project architect for several high-end, bespoke Food & Beverage and hospitality projects, including British Michelin star chef Tom Aikens’ new restaurant in Dubai, Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire, and The Marylebone Hotel in London. Most recently, she was responsible for a new hotel development in Central London at Piercy & Company, looking at both architectural and interior design. 

In addition to her professional work, Chikako’s interest in exploring new architectural ideas has led to her parallel academic career that has included positions at the University of Cardiff, Oxford Brookes University and Westminster University, and is currently a visiting critique at the University of Nottingham. 

Chikako is an ARB registered architect in the U.K. and a 1st Class Architect license holder in Japan.