
Tom Macklen
Partner
Specialisms:
- Architecture
- Design
Tom is a chartered architect and architectural partner at Marrons, where he leads the national architecture team.
With over 20 years’ experience across the residential, mixed-use, leisure and commercial sectors, Tom delivers full architectural services across all RIBA stages – from inception and feasibility to technical delivery and construction on site.
With a strong design and technical background, Tom has led a wide variety of projects across England and Wales. He is particularly focused on sustainable, sensitive and commercially viable architecture, often working on complex regeneration, brownfield and heritage-led sites. He has supported strategic development proposals ranging from urban infill and town centre redevelopment to rural diversification and custom housing schemes.
Tom plays a key role in defining architectural direction, mentoring teams, and building long-term client relationships. He is actively involved in cross-disciplinary collaboration across Marrons’ planning, design, and heritage services, ensuring that clients benefit from integrated, forward-thinking solutions that are commercially viable and contextually appropriate.
Tom acts as lead consultant on many of his projects, coordinating consultant teams, engaging with local authorities and navigating complex planning strategies to unlock sites. He is experienced in working with developers, landowners, operators and local authorities, and frequently leads consultation events and stakeholder workshops. His breadth of experience across scales and sectors means he is well placed to support clients with strategic growth and estate planning.
Key areas of expertise:
– Architectural leadership (RIBA Stages 0–7) – Directing the full architectural lifecycle, from concept to construction, with a focus on quality, coordination, and client value.
– Brownfield regeneration – Designing and shaping places that are commercially successful, policy-compliant and context-sensitive, across urban, rural and edge-of-settlement locations.
– Residential design expertise – Extensive experience designing and delivering residential schemes for national housebuilders, regional developers, and private clients – from single infill developments to larger scale strategic masterplans.
– Sustainable and low-carbon design – Embedding sustainability principles into design strategy, material choices, and long-term development value.
– Heritage and rural development – Delivering schemes that balance preservation with contemporary needs, including barn conversions, farmstead regeneration, and adaptive reuse.
– Client and stakeholder strategy – Leading multi-stakeholder engagement, client brief development, and planning negotiations to align design outcomes with business and community objectives.