Studio Moren is shortlisted for Team of the Year at the Brit List Awards 2026, alongside multiple individual finalists
Studio Moren is shortlisted for Team of the Year in Brit List 2026 Awards
We’re incredibly proud to see Studio Moren shortlisted for Team of the Year, which is a fantastic recognition of the talent, hard work and collective contribution of so many people across the studio. It is particularly rewarding to see the practice recognised collectively and is a reflection of the creativity, dedication and collaboration that goes into our projects and everything we do together. Alongside the Team of the Year nomination, we are also delighted to see a number of individual nominations across the practice.
David Harte is shortlisted for Interior Designer of the Year
As Partner and Head of Interior Design at Studio Moren, David Harte has shaped a team recognised for creating distinctive hospitality experiences that are rooted in place, rich in character and designed to endure. His collaborative leadership style and clear design philosophy have established a culture where creativity flourishes.
David leads the creative vision across the studio's hospitality portfolio, establishing the experience each project should create and carrying that ambition from concept through to completion. He distils complex briefs into compelling ideas, balancing the aspirations of owners, operators and brands while ensuring every project develops its own identity.
At the heart of David's work is a simple belief: memorable hotels are defined by character rather than spectacle. Guests remember how a place made them feel, not simply how it looked. Every design decision, from spatial planning to materials and lighting, is made with that experience in mind.
This philosophy is exemplified by David's most recently completed project, Bertrand's Townhouse in Bloomsbury. Leading the design from concept through to completion, he transformed a complex collection of historic buildings into a richly layered and highly individual boutique hotel. Rather than imposing uniformity, the design embraces the quirks, intimacy and domestic scale of the existing architecture, allowing the building itself to shape the experience. The finished hotel feels as though it could only exist in Bloomsbury: elegant, atmospheric and quietly distinctive, with every space contributing to the feeling of staying in a remarkable London townhouse rather than a conventional hotel.
Elena Verdera Pastor is shortlisted for Mentor of the Year
Since joining Studio Moren in 2021 as a Senior Interior Designer, Elena has become one of the practice's most influential mentors. While mentoring was not initially a formal requirement of her role, it is something she embraced naturally, investing significant time and energy in helping others develop both professionally and personally.
What sets Elena apart is her genuine commitment to people. She takes the time to understand each individual's strengths, ambitions and areas for development, adapting her approach to suit the person rather than expecting everyone to learn in the same way. As a result, colleagues at every level see her as someone they can trust for honest advice, constructive challenge and unwavering support.
Elena's mentoring goes far beyond reviewing drawings or answering technical questions. She encourages people to think for themselves, asking questions that build confidence and judgement rather than simply providing the answer. Her aim is never to solve today's problem, but to equip others with the skills and self-belief to tackle tomorrow's independently.
She creates opportunities for others to grow, encouraging colleagues to step outside their comfort zone, take on greater responsibility and develop new skills when they are ready. Equally, she recognises when someone needs reassurance, taking the time to listen, offer perspective and help them regain confidence during more challenging periods. That balance of encouragement and challenge has allowed many individuals to progress more quickly than they otherwise might have done.
Jonny Comfort is shortlisted for Architect of the Year
Jonny Comfort is one of Studio Moren’s outstanding delivery architects. While exceptional hotel architecture often begins with a strong design concept, it is during delivery that projects are truly won or lost. Jonny has built a reputation for transforming ambitious design aspirations into beautifully executed, commercially successful hotels, navigating technical complexity without ever compromising the guest experience.
Over the past 18 months, Jonny has led the delivery of an exceptional portfolio of projects spanning luxury lifestyle, branded select-service and mixed-use hospitality developments. His work demonstrates not only technical excellence but an ability to lead multidisciplinary teams through some of the industry's most demanding projects.
What distinguishes Jonny is not simply the calibre of his projects, but the way he leads them. He possesses a rare combination of technical rigour, commercial understanding and collaborative leadership. He is trusted by clients because he understands that successful hotel architecture is measured not only by design quality but by programme, buildability, operational performance and long-term value. Contractors value his pragmatic approach to problem-solving, while design teams appreciate his ability to protect architectural quality throughout construction.
Within Studio Moren, Jonny is equally respected as a mentor and leader. He generously shares knowledge with younger architects, fosters collaboration across disciplines and leads by example. His calm, considered approach creates confidence within project teams, particularly when navigating the inevitable complexities of major hospitality developments
Zara Gravett is shortlisted for Rising Star
Zara is a talented and ambitious Part II Architectural Assistant whose enthusiasm, technical ability and collaborative approach have made her a valued member of Studio Moren's hospitality team.
Since joining the practice, Zara has consistently demonstrated a willingness to embrace complex challenges, taking increasing ownership of projects while developing the confidence and judgement expected of a future leader. She approaches every project with curiosity, professionalism and a genuine commitment to creating places that enhance the guest experience while responding thoughtfully to their context.
Over the past year, Zara has played a leading role in progressing the proposed redevelopment of Travelodge Genesis House, successfully steering the scheme through the planning process. Managing a project at this stage has required her to coordinate multidisciplinary design teams, engage with stakeholders and balance planning, technical and commercial considerations to deliver a robust and well-considered proposal. Her ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining a positive and collaborative approach has made her a trusted member of the project team.
Alongside this, Zara is contributing to the delivery of Ibex House, an ambitious conversion of a landmark Art Deco office building in the City of London into a luxury hotel of more than 350 guestrooms for Dominus & Marriott. Working as part of the wider design team, she has been involved in one of the practice's most significant hospitality projects, helping to transform an existing commercial building into a five-star destination that celebrates the character of the original architecture while meeting the expectations of a world-leading international hotel brand.
Neve Rutter is shortlisted for Rising Star
Since joining the practice, Neve has consistently demonstrated a rare combination of design sensitivity, technical rigour and commercial awareness well beyond her years.
She approaches projects with a calm confidence and clarity of thought, navigating complexity while maintaining a strong focus on guest experience and deliverability. Her ability to translate concept into buildable design has quickly made her a trusted member of project teams across design stages. She understands that successful hospitality design depends not only on creating a compelling visual identity, but also on responding intelligently to the operational, technical and commercial requirements that allow a project to succeed.
Neve takes ownership of all of her projects, working closely with consultants and suppliers to ensure design intent clear and later maintained during construction. Her proactive approach means she can identify and resolve clashes early, protecting both programme and quality. She communicates confidently and constructively, asking the right questions and following issues through to resolution rather than allowing them to become problems later in the process. She is solution driven and always strives to create beautiful, unique spaces with a strong storytelling whilst ensuring functionality and ergonomics remain at the forefront.
Beyond technical delivery, Neve has a natural ability to collaborate, both internally and with external teams, bringing a positive energy that elevates those around her. She is equally comfortable contributing to design discussions as she is driving forward detailed information. She is generous with her knowledge, receptive to feedback and consistently willing to support colleagues, making her an increasingly important presence within the wider studio.