Design leadership at Carr extends well beyond titles. It is embedded in the people who guide projects through complexity, maintain clarity of design intent, and support the collaborative culture that underpins the practice.
Associate Directors Ben Nicholas, Catherine Keys and Carolyn White play an important role in this structure. Working closely with Carr’s directors and project teams, they help translate design thinking into built outcomes across the studio’s residential, commercial and hospitality portfolio.
Carr’s integrated model brings architects and interior designers together from the outset of a project. Within this framework, Associate Directors provide continuity across the design process, balancing conceptual thinking with the practical realities of delivery. Their involvement spans briefing, design development and consultant coordination through to construction, ensuring that projects retain a strong design focus while responding to the complexities of site, client and programme.
Ben Nicholas works across both architecture and interiors, bringing a cross-disciplinary perspective to projects that require careful alignment between building and interior environments. His work reflects Carr’s approach to design, where spatial planning, materiality and experience are resolved as a cohesive whole rather than as separate disciplines.
Catherine Keys leads interior design projects across workplace and commercial sectors. Known for her considered and collaborative approach, she focuses on creating environments that support how organisations operate while maintaining a clear design language. Her work emphasises thoughtful planning, material restraint and spaces that balance functionality with a strong sense of identity.
Carolyn White joined Carr earlier this year, bringing more than 25 year’s of experience across workplace, hospitality, residential and commercial projects. Her career has spanned large-scale mixed-use developments and complex commercial interiors, giving her a deep understanding of the full project lifecycle. From early briefing and concept design through to documentation and delivery, her approach combines strong design thinking with technical rigour and careful stakeholder management.
For Carr CEO Nick Carr, the role of Associate Director is central to the practice’s ability to maintain design quality while supporting a growing portfolio of work.
“Carr has always been defined by the strength of its people. Ben, Catherine and Carolyn bring thoughtful leadership and a depth of experience that enriches our work across multiple sectors. Their role is central to guiding projects with clarity while upholding the considered design principles that defines the practice.”
As Carr continues to expand nationally, the Associate Director team provides an important layer of leadership within the studio. By bridging design vision and project delivery, they help ensure that each project maintains the clarity, restraint and enduring quality that have long defined Carr’s work.
