About the studio
A studio built to bring soul back to architecture.
Our Founding Story
RowUI was founded in 2019 in Lisbon by Julian Vance to bring character, craft, and quiet luxury back to architecture. What began as a three-person studio is now a global practice — but the founding rule holds: every project is personally shepherded by a principal.
The Studio Culture
Our studio is a laboratory. Half the week is billable client work; the rest is research, sketch, and prototype. We invest 10% of revenue into R&D — self-healing concrete, structural glass, generative sun-path tooling.
Core Values
Integrity in materials. Honesty in pricing. Obsession with details. These are the only three rules pinned to the studio wall — and the only three we recruit for.
A Collaborative Practice
We don't design for clients — we design with them. Weekly working sessions, shared VR walkthroughs, and open decision logs turn a commission into a partnership that lasts long after keys are handed over.
Research & Development
We prototype at 1:1. Our workshop mills stone, welds steel, and casts concrete before spec sheets are issued. If a detail cannot be built by our own hands, we do not draw it.
Ethics of Architecture
We decline projects that damage sensitive ecosystems. Every RowUI building must give back more to its site than it takes — measured in habitat, energy, and community.
Global Network
We have technical partners in 15 countries. This lets us deliver a Dubai villa and a Copenhagen loft to the same standard, with the same detail library, in the same year.
Design Process — Discovery
Weeks 1–4: site analysis, sun path, soil tests, client rituals interview, and a written project brief that becomes the constitution of the project.
Design Process — Schematic
Weeks 5–10: massing models, first plans, and three distinct design directions presented for client selection.
Design Process — Development
Weeks 11–24: every material, handle, switch, stone slab, and light source specified in full construction detail.
Design Process — Documentation
Weeks 25–36: the 500-page permit-ready construction manual, tender package, and contractor selection.
Design Process — Supervision
Weeks 37 onward: on-site weekly, snag-list managed, and design intent protected millimetre by millimetre until handover.
Transparency in Fees
We use a clear, phase-based billing system. Discovery is a fixed fee. Design and delivery are a published percentage of construction cost. No surprises, no scope games.
The Future of RowUI
We are expanding into modular luxury housing, hospitality, and sustainable low-rise urbanism. The best RowUI building is always the next one.
Our Philosophy — Architecture That Outlives Trends
We believe architecture should become more valuable with time, not less. Every line we draw is guided by proportion, light, material honesty, and human experience rather than temporary design trends. Our work is intended to remain relevant for generations.
Design Manifesto — Principles That Shape Every Project
Every project begins with a simple question: how should this place make people feel? Simplicity over excess. Function before decoration. Materials that age beautifully. Spaces designed around natural light. Sustainability through longevity. Details that reward closer inspection.
Our Numbers — Measured by Results
250+ luxury residential projects. 18 countries served. 12M+ square feet designed. 98% client satisfaction. 150+ construction packages delivered. 7 international design awards. Every figure is the outcome of an unwavering standard applied project after project.
Why Clients Choose RowUI — Beyond Beautiful Architecture
Unlike traditional firms, we combine architecture, interiors, visualization, landscape, and construction documentation into one seamless design experience. Clients receive one dedicated design team, complete architectural documentation, interior architecture, landscape planning, construction supervision, photorealistic visualization, and permit-ready drawings.
Materials Library — Every Material Carefully Selected
From Italian travertine to Japanese cedar, Belgian limestone, brushed brass, architectural concrete, and natural oak — every material is selected for durability, sustainability, and timeless elegance. Luxury comes from quality, not quantity.
Design Research — Every Project Begins With Research
Before a single wall is drawn we analyse climate, wind, sun movement, local culture, landscape, construction methods, future expansion, and energy performance. Research informs every design decision — not intuition alone.
International Standards — Global Thinking, Local Precision
Our workflows follow internationally recognised architectural standards while respecting local regulations and construction practices. Whether we are designing a villa in Dubai, a mountain retreat in Switzerland, or a coastal residence in Australia, every project follows the same rigorous quality process.
Technology Stack — Modern Tools for Better Buildings
We combine traditional architectural thinking with advanced digital technology: BIM modelling, 3D visualization, virtual reality walkthroughs, parametric design, energy simulation, daylight analysis, a digital material library, and full construction coordination.
Sustainability — Building Responsibly
Luxury and sustainability should never compete. Every RowUI project considers passive cooling, natural ventilation, rainwater harvesting, solar orientation, energy efficiency, low-carbon materials, water conservation, and long-life construction.
Our Promise — What Every Client Can Expect
Clear communication from day one. Transparent pricing. Weekly progress updates. Dedicated project leadership. Complete documentation. Attention to every detail. Long-term support after completion.
Recognition — Trusted by Clients Around the World
International architecture awards, feature coverage in leading design publications, luxury property developers, private residential clients, commercial partners, and construction consultants — the studio is trusted across every corner of the industry.
Client Experience — Designed Around You
Every client receives a private project workspace where drawings, progress updates, meeting notes, and approvals are organised in one place. This ensures complete transparency and collaboration throughout the entire journey.
Craftsmanship — Designed for Builders
Beautiful drawings mean nothing if they cannot be built. Every junction, material transition, lighting detail, and structural connection is documented with precision to ensure flawless execution on site.
Legacy — Buildings That Become Landmarks
Our ambition is not to design the most fashionable buildings of today, but the most admired buildings of tomorrow. Every RowUI project is created with the belief that exceptional architecture becomes part of a family's legacy and a city's identity.