People
We are fundamentally designer / makers and are always looking for new ways to test ourselves and to engage with the built environment. We are an RIBA chartered practice and believe that through years of rigorous architectural and building practise, we have acquired a collective skill set which can be applied to any brief.
We have a good deal of experience, which covers a wide range of professional services and most of the time we also construct the buildings and projects that we design in our studio.
Find out more about our Our Approach and How We Work →
Doug Eckford BA(Hons) DipArch
Director
Doug studied Mechanical Engineering before moving on to Architecture at the Kingston School and then at London Metropolitan University, where was awarded the Technical Prize for a prototyping structures and emergency aid project.
Prior to founding Eckford Chong, he worked for Jonathan Woolf and David Kohn and gained construction experience working as a foreman for Modular Landscapes. Doug has also collaborated on a variety of projects including Rope House. A rope and steel prototype structure for the Secret Garden Party festival in 2012 that was nominated in the shortlist for AJ small projects 2012. He established Eckford Chong with his wife Tania later that year.
Doug’s passion for technical precision and detailing, from conception through to completion has lead to a number of built projects that combine core design principles of architecture, furniture and interior design and fabrication, to delivery and on site construction. This multidisciplinary approach drives the ethos of the practice.
Doug is the design and technical lead and fronts the construction team on all projects. He has since, returned to the London Metropolitan University in the role of visiting tutor as part of the Applied Technology in Architecture Diploma programme.
Tania Chong BA(Hons)
Director
Tania was born in Hong Kong and moved to the UK when she was twelve to study at Cheltenham College. She completed her Art Foundation studies at Kingston University and studied Graphic Design at the London College of Communication.
In 2008 Tania joined boutique luggage brand Storksak, as Head of Graphics and went on to become Art Director, managing the companies’ five award winning brands leading on brand growth, marketing strategy, design and delivery.
Tania also worked for Tank Magazine, the Architectural Journal and Architectural Review before setting up Eckford Chong with Doug in 2012.
Tania is the business manager. She leads on business development, branding, marketing and visual communication.
Barnaby Meller BA(Hons) DipArch ARB RIBA
Director
Barney studied at Kingston University and the London Metropolitan University.
In 2012 he joined Mae Architects, working on large urban regeneration, mixed tenure housing projects and wellbeing and health and elderly care facilities.
Barney completed his professional studies in 2015 and is registered Architect with the ARB and a member of The Royal Institute of British Architects.
Since joining Eckford Chong in 2016 Barney has lead the studio on a range of architectural design & build projects across private residential, commercial retail and events sectors. His broad experience spans the work stages with considerable experience in design and construction detailing.
Barney runs the Architecture studio and over-sees each project focussing on maintaining conceptual ideas through the complex design development and delivery process.