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Sharon Mar in meets with Lucy Kuhar, founder of Lumin rchitects, about winning awards, motherhood and leading in architecture
PHOTOS: NN ST TH KI
When Lucy Kuhar, founder of Lumin Architects, received the 2025 Women Leaders UK Award, it marked more than just professional recognition, it became a deeply personal milestone
‘Winning the Women Leaders UK Award has been incredible, something I’m truly proud of,’ she reflects. ‘It’s an honour to have Lumin’s commitment to creating elegant, sustainable, and deeply considered homes recognised on such a respected platform 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. ‘After stepping away for maternity leave and re-evaluating everything I’d built, that pause gave me clarity This award brought renewed momentum to my vision.
More than anything, I hope it positions me as a voice for women who want to do it all balancing ambition and family life without compromise – and helps spark new conversations about what truly sustainable living can be.’
Motherhood has proven to be a transformative force in her design philosophy ‘Becoming a mother was the most pivotal moment for me, not just personally, but for my work,’ she says. ‘My son came to meetings and design workshops, even site visits, in his carrier In those early months, I had a lot of thinking time, long dog walks with him in the pram, asking myself big questions: Where do I want my business to go? What still lights me up?’
That reflection led to a renewed commitment to authenticity and purpose ‘I realised I wanted to build a studio that not only creates beautiful, sustainable homes, but also shows my son (and my clients) that work can be deeply rewarding when it’s rooted in authenticity and purpose. ’
Lucy is candid about the challenges women face in senior roles in architecture. ‘We need to showcase that there’s no single way to lead in architecture and create flexible pathways so women don’t have to choose between family life and entrepreneurship,’ she says. ‘But ultimately, we need to take it into our own hands and build businesses, lead projects, mentor the next generation, and dare to take our place.’
Her design ethos is rooted in the belief that sustainability must be personal ‘True sustainability isn’t about ticking every box, it’s about making conscious, considered choices that reflect how a family truly lives,’ she explains ‘I imagine being that family, designing not just a home they’ll like on handover, but one they’ll continue to love for years to come ’
From maximising natural light and using eco-conscious materials to creating adaptable spaces as children grow, Lucy insists that sustainability should never feel like a compromise ‘It should feel like care, designed into the very bones of the home ’
Balancing eco-consciousness with practical needs is, for her, a matter of ‘clarity, priorities, and smart decisions.’ She notes that ‘good orientation, natural ventilation, and long-lasting materials don’t have to cost more - they just require planning! Sustainability should be accessible, not exclusive, and built into the design from day one. ’
Lucy has seen a shift in her clients’ awareness ‘At first, it was mainly people who were already conscious about the environment, but now more clients recognise the value that sustainable, forward-thinking design can add to their property The desire is there, even if the confidence isn’t yet, and my role is to show them it’s not all-or-nothing.’
Motherhood has also sharpened her empathy in design ‘I now design not just with the parents in mind, but also the children, and how each person will experience the space in their own way My role is to design homes as living ecosystems, not showrooms but instead spaces that can adapt and breathe with family life ’
For women entering architecture, Lucy’s advice is unequivocal, ‘Don’t wait for the ‘right’ time Balance is never perfect, and it’s often in the imbalance that real drive and innovation are born Leadership can take many forms, but it always starts with showing up and owning your space ’
Beyond private homes, Lucy is a passionate advocate for community-led and co-housing models ‘Architecture should be centred on people, not just aesthetics or profit In today’s world, where isolation is rising, we need environments that bring people together ’
She sees design as a tool for social connection. ‘When we design spaces to encourage interaction, we make it easier to share resources, reduce costs, and support each other. Good design doesn’t just make
things beautiful, it makes life more generous, more joyful, and more human ’
From award-winning homes to futurefocused community living, Lucy’s work with Lumin Architects is united by one thread; designing spaces that feel as good as they look, and which stand the test of time, both structurally and emotionally ‘Home is about people first,’ she says simply. ‘Everything else follows from that ’
