Malcolm Reading Consultants

Malcolm Reading Consultants (MRC) is a strategic architectural consultancy based in London that works all over the world. We are focused on achieving outstanding, award-winning design for our clients, who may be commissioning new buildings or re-inventing existing ones.

We run open and invited international design competitions that enable clients to compare a range of creative approaches and identify the most dedicated and inspired design teams.

We are known for our content-rich design briefs, memorable narratives and competition websites, as well as our architectural and technical knowledge. This, along with over twenty-five years’ experience of architectural competitions, means our propositions are always grounded in reality.

We understand international procurement rules and innovate within these. MRC competitions are designed to ensure the finalist teams’ energies can be focused on what’s central to ultimate success: the creative design challenge.

We have been privileged to help organisations as diverse and high-profile as the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the UK Government, Balliol College, Oxford, Public Investment Fund (KSA), Dallas Museum of Art, Ministry of Culture (KSA), Arts South Australia, New College, Oxford, the Royal College of Art, Houston Endowment, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, Qatar Museums, the Illuminated River Foundation, Kaunas City Municipality, Mumbai City Museum, Media City Taiwan, St Catharine’s College, Cambridge and many others.

MRC has attracted a dedicated following among international architects and designers that spans emerging practices to Pritzker laureates and results in an exceptional network of top-tier talent.

Engaging a high-flying design team is now a flag of ambition for many organisations, but to create architecture that is genuinely life- and planet-enhancing, original and innovative, requires a more considered, strategic approach.

An international competition – either open or invited – is an excellent way to find a gifted design team. When matched with an outstanding design brief, compelling project narrative, and a campaign to build public and stakeholder support and goodwill, it positions the project for future success.

Alongside competitive selection, MRC also offers other pre-project services including proof-of-concept, feasibility and design briefing. We have an energetic, professional team with varied backgrounds in architecture, urban design, graphic design, web design, journalism and research; and with both commercial and public sector experience.