About Koto
DESIGN LED architecture
Our story
Koto was founded by Johnathon, Zoë and Theo with a clear ambition: to create small buildings that bring people closer to the outdoors, spaces for reflection, connection and modern living. Having lived on the shores of the Norwegian fjords, Johnathon and Zoë were shaped by a raw landscape and a culture that values simplicity, warmth and time outside. Theo, after years living in Ireland, found inspiration in the natural lines and dramatic horizon of the coastline. Those influences still run through every Koto project: calm forms, considered materials, and architecture that feels inseparable from its setting.
Today, Koto designs and delivers projects across the UK, Europe and the USA, pairing sustainable thinking and craftsmanship with design precision, creating spaces that last.
“An artful expression of wabi-sabi design.” - Dwell
Koto Living
Created in response to client demand for a fully turnkey service, Koto Living brings interior design and furniture supply into the studio, carrying one vision from architecture through to final styling. Kirstie co-founded Koto Living alongside Johnathon, Zoë and Theo.
“Spaces that serve as tranquil sanctuaries rather than just structures.” - ArchDaily
Meet the team
We’re a multidisciplinary studio of architects, designers and interior specialists - united by a single approach: calm minimalism, craftsmanship, and architecture that belongs in its landscape.
What we do
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Architect-designed cabins for private clients and operators - from one-off retreats to multi-unit destinations.
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Sauna cabins, spa elements and restorative spaces designed as rituals - calm architecture for recovery, warmth and wellbeing.
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Design-led homes that balance beauty, functionality and longevity - shaped by place, crafted with care.
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Interiors that feel intentional from shell to styling - including furniture packs for a cohesive, turnkey finish.
“There’s a new prefab start-up in town… cabins that can be reconfigured for any site.” - The Spaces
How we work
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We develop a clear architectural direction and interior language - proportion, light, materials and atmosphere.
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We develop a clear architectural direction and interior language - proportion, light, materials and atmosphere.
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For destinations and rollouts, we translate the design into a repeatable kit-of-parts - so every unit feels consistent without feeling generic.
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From coordination through to installation and handover, we keep the process calm and well managed - protecting design intent at every stage.
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We support long-term performance with thoughtful specification, durable detailing and guidance for ongoing care.
Recognised & featured
Koto’s work has been featured internationally across architecture, design and lifestyle press - reflecting a growing movement toward low-impact, design-led living in nature.
Designed for place. Delivered worldwide
Koto delivers projects globally through an evolving network of partners and specialists - enabling local delivery methods while maintaining a consistent design standard. Whether you’re creating a private retreat or a multi-unit destination, our approach stays the same: start with place, design with intention, build with longevity.
Let’s build something that belongs
Have a site, a brief, or an idea worth building? Tell us where it is, what it needs to do, and what success looks like - we’ll recommend the best route and next steps.
“Koto prefab cabins… bring chic, minimalist design… and a new way of living.” - Dwell
BIID-REGISTERED INTERIOR DESIGNERS
RIBA CHARTERED PRACTICE
ARB-REGISTERED ARCHITECTS
A PROUD PARTNER OF ONETREEPLANTED