About

Rekha Barry-Houston is an experienced Senior Architect and founder of Rekha Maker, now called Studio Rekha. This is a design studio exploring architectural themes of proportion, modularity, and material craft through architecture, objects, and installations. With over a decade of experience delivering accessible, socially driven, policy-informed projects across the UK, Rekha’s practice is rooted in equity, sustainability, and inclusive design.

She has led major housing and regeneration schemes, including award-winning dementia-friendly and accessible developments, and has contributed directly to national housing policy through consultancy with the Scottish Government. Alongside practice, Rekha has taught and mentored at leading schools of architecture in Glasgow, Liverpool, and Strathclyde, fostering the next generation of designers.

Her independent design work with Rekha Maker has been exhibited internationally at venues including the V&A Dundee, the London Design Festival, and the National Portrait Gallery. Projects range from small-scale installations to commissioned public furniture, including a bench design showcased in Los Angeles and the Scottish Album of the Year Award trophy.

Rekha was shortlisted for Young Scottish Architect of the Year in 2022. She continues to balance architectural practice with experimental making, always seeking to bridge design, policy, and spatial identity through both built projects and crafted artefacts.

Education:

Mackintosh School of Architecture 2008

Universität der Künste 2012

 

Awards:

Young Scottish Architect of the Year in 2022 (shortlist)

Dezeen Pavilion for Wellbeing 2025 (runner up)

QEST Emerging Maker Award 2025

Blunden Sculpture Prize 2025 (runner up)

 

Teaching:

Mackintosh School of Architecture, Glasgow 2021

Liverpool University School of Architecture 2024