Bridging between London contemporary innovative creativity and local European heritage
Spatial solutions for compact urban apartments and luxury historic renovations. Seamlessly managed from a studio in Italy.

Fionnuala Heidenreich is an architectural and interior designer (progettisa architettonico e d'interni) with a global perspective shaped by her time spent living and working in various countries. Her profile combines architecture with fine art. Her specialty is solving complex and tight space issues, bridging innovative creativity with heritage, and designing artfully conceived bespoke hybrid furniture for spaces.  She currently works in Tuscany and London.
She has experience working on both heritage and new-build projects in the UK, New York, Europe, and Sydney, Australia. She speaks both English and Italian.

RIBA III AA Dipl RIBA II Architecture and BA Fine Arts 

DESIGN, COORDINATION AND LEADERSHIP

By working within many locations around the world, Fionnuala has also worked within many different teams of people. She has coordinated and liaised with engineering consultants, fabricators, Building regulation consultants, Authority bodies, and construction team members. She has managed the documentation for various permissions to be granted, including Planning stages and for Price Tender stages from Builders.

TESTIMONY:

"Fionnuala guided us through an extensive house renovation from the very beginning. She assisted us with the initial designs and was able to advise on what would be possible with the build. She also advised on each step, including any third parties we would need.
From a design perspective, she sympathetically negotiated the new extension to fit in with the style of our Victorian terrace house and incorporated the two with specific features that linked them,  During the build she was an enormous help with any issues that came up and her problem solving skills across design, structural and construction issues are second to none. She also listened to our needs and came up with solutions that followed them whilst also complying with various legislation. We would highly recommend Fionnuala for her expertise and experience across her architectural, planning and advising skills"
Camilla Pearce - Associate Consultant hiring outstanding Executive Assistants, PAs, Office Managers and Chiefs of Staff, Lily Shippen 

"I went to Fionnuala with a tall order: transform a 36 sqm flat into a livable, workable, grown-up space that I wouldn't grow out of immediately. It was a massive challenge, but from the get-go, she completely embraced it. To make a small footprint actually work, she found incredibly creative solutions, including designing custom multifunctional pieces. She somehow managed to carve out distinct 'zones' for the bedroom, study and living room/kitchen so that each area has its own unique feel. The flat now has this lovely sense of balance to it – she prioritised uninterrupted eyelines and visual symmetry, which makes the space feel so much bigger and more intentional. 

Throughout the process, she was a dream to collaborate with. She truly listened to my input, worked seamlessly around my tastes and was a fantastic general sounding board. Her attention to detail is staggering. It started with her drawings – which are beautiful and super detailed – and extended all the way to the materials. She went out of her way to track down exactly the right suppliers, sourcing specific wood stains from Denmark and maple wood from Romford.

I also appreciate how she handled the budget. Renovations always throw a spanner in the works, but whenever we hit a snag, Fionnuala was quick to suggest efficient, cost-effective pivots. This was shown for example, when a Building Control problem arose during construction. She always came to the table with optionality based on different outcomes and worked directly with the builder to figure out what was actually feasible. In fact, she stepped up as a true partner and project manager. She helped me voice my needs on site and acted as my personal "brains trust", walking me through all the intimidating construction lexicon that comes with the territory.

Fionnuala brought a genuine passion to this project and an incredible level of personal accountability. It truly felt like we were working as a team to find the best solutions. She is a brilliant communicator, bursting with great ideas, and she gave me exactly the grown-up home I was hoping for. I couldn't recommend her enough."
Kathleen Lee Joe - Client and owner of 33A Temple Street London

"I believe every client has a unique story and background that should be reflected in the design of their space. The spaces they live in need to reflect their lifestyles. My teaching experience has taught me the importance of active listening, building trust, and tailoring the design process to each client's needs. This personalised approach ensures that every project is both aesthetically pleasing and meaningful to the client."