Case Study S-7352 | MCL

MCL Architecture: Designing a Practice Built to Last

MCL Architecture had grown naturally-from a two-person studio into a busy, multi-project practice. With this success came new pressures: project complexity increased, team roles blurred, and the director found themselves stuck in day-to-day delivery with little space to lead.

The firm didn’t just need more work. They needed to stabilise, structure, and scale-without sacrificing quality or burning out.

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Reframing Growth

We partnered with MCL to redefine what success looked like. The goal wasn’t simply "more"-it was about creating a sustainable architecture practice where great work could happen consistently, and the director could step into a true leadership role.

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Strategy & Organisational Clarity

Our strategy work with MCL helped bring definition and direction to their internal structure. What was once a growing but loosely coordinated team began to take on a sharper, more scalable shape.

We worked closely with the director to clarify how the business should be built-from the inside out. This included:

• Mapping a clear organisational structure to reduce confusion and duplication
• Supporting staff retention by aligning roles to strengths and setting growth paths
• Designing an onboarding process that attracts the right hires from the outset
• Introducing systems that reduced chaos and gave the business room to breathe
• Bringing operational clarity that allowed the director to step back and lead

This strategy laid the groundwork for MCL to move from reactive delivery to intentional growth-with a team, structure, and system that now supports it.

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From Overstretched to Organised

MCL Architecture is now operating with sharper structure, a clearer vision, and stronger foundations for growth. The director has reclaimed time for high-value leadership, and the team is better equipped to deliver the kind of work that made the practice successful in the first place.

Results

• A well-defined organisational structure to support day-to-day operations
• Systems and processes embedded to streamline delivery
• A team culture that supports retention and long-term growth
• Clarity around the director's role, allowing focus on business development and creative leadership
• Space and structure to scale without sacrificing quality

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Conclusion

What started as a structural clean-up evolved into a strategic rebuild of the business. MCL now has the tools to grow sustainably, keep great people, and build an architecture practice that lasts.

With structure in place, a focused team, and a director back at the helm, MCL is no longer just surviving project to project-they’re building something with lasting value.