History

Catalina grew on foundations laid down by LCRW Architects. This ancestor firm was formed by Rory Wilson and Lionel S. Curtis in 2003. The practice grew from a desire to create high quality, considered architecture that was accessible to all. Larry Jeffreys joined the LCRW team in 2007, following the retirement of Lionel and the subsequent dissolution of the practice, became co-director of Catalina Architecture with Rory Wilson in 2011. With an Architect and Architectural Technologist as directors, the joint principles of strong design concept and innovative technological solutions was instilled in the core of the practice. Rather than choosing to combine their names to form the title of the practice, they chose Catalina. This decision symbolised their desire to move towards a collaborative, democratic office. As far as the relevance of the name Catalina goes, it is the name given to a number of highly functional yet beautiful designs in which the concept of stripping away the superfluous to reveal the essence of a form, as well as the union between concept design and technology, is demonstrated with great success. 

Since the practice was formed it has undertaken many varied projects, including contemporary design, historic building conservation, and community projects. The team and the breadth of our experience continues to grow. Larry Jeffreys retired in 2018, after over 10 years of invaluable input and influence in the practice, and a new Technical Director, Glyn Williams, stepped up to form Catalina Architecture + Design Ltd with Rory Wilson. In 2020 architect Alun Charles RIBA joined the practice, bringing to Catalina his unique experience of commercial and historic building projects, as well as in-depth knowledge of the planning system in Wales.