Who Liam McGroarty and Oliver Collinge are the co-founders of Youth, an award-winning interior architecture studio based in Manchester and founded in 2016. It delivers high-end, concept- driven spaces informed by contemporary culture and lifestyle.
The pair studied Interior Architecture and Design at the Manchester School of Art, and graduated from there in 2012. It was there that they discovered ‘a shared design sensibility – one that would later define Youth’.
Their process is built on close collaboration, ensuring that each project is deeply considered, functional and meaningful, while their ‘foundation is deeply technical, shaping the way we approach space, materiality, and the interplay between form and function’. They are, they say, known for their ‘refined rawness’ – an aesthetic that balances raw, honest materials with soft tones and textures. This contrast creates an inherent tension, a deliberate balance between imperfection and precision.
‘Every space we design is rooted in purpose, never dictated by trends. We believe in creating interiors that are timeless, expressive and intimately connected to the people who inhabit them.’
Why The studio wasn’t ‘built overnight’, but ‘grew from a restless ambition to do things differently’. The pair explain: ‘After university, we worked for respected design studios, but outside of that, we were constantly creating/designing restaurants and bars for friends, experimenting, refining our approach. The turning point came when we were commissioned to design a private clinic in Saudi Arabia. That project gave us the confidence to launch Youth oficially. We saw a gap in the market – spaces that lacked depth, materials that lacked soul – and we knew we could offer something else. Not just to Manchester, but far beyond. The Saudi clinic project provided us with a solid foundation to grow the studio, proving that our approach – balancing technical precision with strong conceptual thinking – resonated on an international scale.’
Off the back of that success, Youth secured one of the largest multi-residential projects in the Manchester city centre, further establishing its presence and setting the trajectory for the studio.
REPORTER 21 ONE TO WATCH Youth
WORDS BY TONY ROCK
At one point, Youth says that it increased the size of its team to eight to nine members of staff, but came to realise that size wasn’t their priority, and that ‘clarity of vision’ was.
As they approach a decade in practice, they say the future, is about ‘selectivity, precision and depth’. ‘We’ve deliberately refined our approach,
choosing to work with the right clients, the right projects – ones that align with our ethos and push us forward. It’s about designing with intent, creating spaces that don’t just look good but feel inherently right.’
Where
youth.studio/studio
Kerb: This natural wine store is designed to feel as unpretentious as the wine itself. Youth says the space was shaped by soft, organic forms that encourage interaction – both with the host and fellow guests. A restrained palette of stainless steel and natural materials reflects the raw authenticity of winemaking, creating an experience that feels intuitive and effortless.
Sorella: As a neighbourhood restaurant that was inspired by Puglia’s cave-like trattorias, Sorella is a study in contrast – dark, moody interiors softened by linen drapery and tactile surfaces. According to Youth, ‘the result is a space that feels timeless yet distinctly modern, an honest reflection of the cuisine it serves’.
Hyll: A new hotel, opening in early summer 2025, Hyll is located in the North Cotswolds. It has an ethos centred around comfort, escape and nourishment, making room for guests to slow down, switch off and rest on their own terms. Youth was appointed to design the interiors of the 18 guestrooms, public spaces, restaurant, bar and lounges within the hotel.
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