About
We are an architecture and interior design studio specializing in bespoke residential projects.
We believe well-designed spaces improve daily life by enhancing balance, wellbeing, and joy. Our mission is to create homes that seamlessly blend beauty, practicality, and sustainability, ensuring they enrich the way you live.
Meet the Founder
Elena graduated with a first-class master’s degree from IUAV Venice in 2007 and is an ARB- and RIBA-registered architect. She gained extensive experience working on cultural and residential projects in Italy and London before founding ECA Studio.
Passionate about housing, she believes well-designed spaces can transform everyday life. Her expertise lies in thoughtful layouts, harmonious compositions, and material selection, creating homes that feel both elegant and practical.
Elena approaches design through collaboration and hands-on involvement, whether refining concepts at her desk or overseeing construction on-site. By blending precision and creativity, she ensures every project meets the highest standards.
Elena Comai
RIBA CHARTERED ARCHITECT | ARB REGISTERED ARCHITECT
From a young age, I knew I wanted to be an architect, spending countless hours building houses with Lego and exploring my father’s joinery workshop. Watching him craft with precision fascinated me—every detail mattered, and I loved seeing how pieces came together to create something beautiful and lasting.
That passion led me to Venice, where I studied architecture, immersed in the city’s breathtaking beauty and rich architectural history.
In 2010, I moved to London, expecting a short stay, but its ever-changing landscape captivated me, constantly adapting to how we live, where historic and contemporary architecture stand side by side. Over time, it became clear this was where I wanted to build my future, and today, I proudly call it home.
I’m thrilled to be part of this ever-changing city, improving it one project at a time.
Why ECA studio?
Build-Driven Design
We design with construction in mind, ensuring every concept is both innovative and practical. By thoughtfully integrating budget considerations from the start, we create designs that are not only buildable but also cost-effective. Our approach ensures a smooth transition from vision to reality, where every detail is carefully considered to achieve a home that is both beautifully designed and seamlessly executed.
Collaborative Cohesion
Great design is a shared effort, and we believe in enjoyable teamwork. We work with you to create a project that reflects your vision and needs, while guiding you toward the best possible outcome. By fostering clear communication and a shared commitment, we ensure that everyone involved—clients, professionals, and trades—works toward the same goal: delivering a home that is both beautifully designed and expertly built.
Clear Direction
We value efficiency and clarity, ensuring your project moves forward seamlessly. If your schedule leaves little time to manage complex decisions, we streamline the process so you can focus on what truly matters. From narrowing down choices to guiding key decisions, we keep everything on track while ensuring every detail is considered. With a proactive approach, we drive projects forward with purpose, delivering results on time.
We partner with homeowners and businesses who understand how good design can make our lives better every day, blending style with practicality for spaces that truly enrich our experiences.
Our Story
Founded in 2012 by Italian architect Elena, ECA Studio began with a passion for transforming homes, starting with flats in Chelsea and Kensington, where layouts were reimagined to maximise space. This soon expanded to full Victorian house renovations across London and beyond, adding lofts, rear extensions, and modern interventions.
Over time, our expertise expanded to include major refurbishments, basements, and new builds, always guided by a problem-solving mindset. Our love for challenges led us to design an eco-friendly treehouse development in Scotland, a unique project loved by visitors who experience it firsthand.
We continuously refine our approach through feedback from clients and collaborators, ensuring every project meets the highest standards. Our goal is to create spaces that exceed expectations, delivering homes that are not only beautiful and practical but also enrich everyday life.
Getting ECA involved in our home renovation was the best decision we could have made. Elena really knows how to make the most of the space and produced an amazing creative plans, to create a beautiful new vision of our home. She is reliable, professional, and great communicator – she guided us through the process making the whole renovation project manageable, delivering on time and on budget. I cannot recommend her services enough. … and we’re excited to now be working with her on our new holiday home.
Tanja N.
I am incredibly grateful for Elena’s unwavering commitment to her beliefs. Despite external pressures and misunderstandings within my family, Elena remained steadfast and true to her principles. Elena’s years of dedicated service and evident passion for her work are truly commendable. Her direct approach is not only refreshing but also efficient, saving valuable time by addressing issues head-on. This ability to confront challenges directly has been invaluable in our interactions.
Paula B.
We are moving to Boston in 8 weeks, for James’ work. Which sadly means we are selling our beautiful home. Firstly, I wanted to thank you so much for your incredible design and attention to detail and for helping to make our house the most special place to live for the last 5 years.
We have loved being here and that is making it so hard to sell!