About
Echinus Design is a London-based architectural and design consultancy studio offering a friendly and flexible approach to understanding clients’ project needs.
With a balanced perspective and solid experience in both contemporary and traditional design, we deliver distinctive, tailored solutions.
We pride ourselves on accessible customer service and a design process that is both methodical and creative.
Our architecture avoids cliché, emerging instead through a rigorous, analytical approach.
Team
Ekin Albayrak
Founder and Lead Designer
Ekin Albayrak holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Yeditepe University. He furthered his education with an MSc in Construction Management from City University London and a Master’s in Leadership in Glocal Architectural Design from Politecnico di Milano. With over four years of experience as a Project Manager at Simit Sarayi London, Ekin aims to grow the Echinus Team and undertake more design and build projects in London.
Okan Sever
Mechanical Engineer
Okan Sever is an experienced mechanical engineer with over 18 years of expertise in vibration isolation, acoustical control, and seismic protection. His extensive engineering portfolio spans projects in more than 32 countries across five continents, including multi-billion-dollar construction and acoustical design developments such as the Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi, Emaar Square Complex in Istanbul, Hilton Convention Center Istanbul, and Hyatt Regency Hotel Kiev. He owns Spectra MEP Services Ltd in the UK and acts as a MEP consultant for Echinus projects.
Emir Polat
Design Manager
Emir Polat is a graduate of the Architecture Department of Yeditepe University. He holds a Master’s degree in Interior and Living Design from Milan Domus Academy. With experience in design departments of various local and international studios, he has been recognised with awards and sponsorships from prestigious events like Elle Decor, Milan Design Week, and London Design Festival.
Emin Balkis
Project Manager
Emin Balkis is an architect with extensive experience in design and project development. Born in Istanbul in 1972, he graduated from Istanbul Technical University’s School of Architecture in 1994 and earned a graduate degree in 1999. He began his career at Erginoglu & Calislar Architecture and later co-founded arkiZON Architects in Istanbul in 2003. Throughout his career, he has participated in numerous competitions and contributed articles to various publications. Since moving to the UK in 2018, he has been working in his company arkiZON UK.
Oscar Albayrak
Procurement Manager
Oscar is an accomplished Procurement Manager with over 10 years of experience in both the public and private sectors in Canada. Expertise includes strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, contract management, and cost-reduction initiatives. Proven track record of delivering value-driven procurement strategies, leading cross-functional teams, and ensuring compliance with international standards. Currently bringing global expertise to support complex, high-value projects within the UK market.
Ali Sutay
Quantity Surveyor
Ali Sutay is a construction engineer with extensive experience in project coordination, development, and structural design. He graduated from Kocaeli University in Turkey in 2018 and completed a project development internship at the University of Liverpool.He has worked on major hospital and airport projects in site roles and later specialized in modular support system design for international clients. Since relocating to the UK, he has been active in the construction sector through his company, Sutay Structure Ltd.