Petra Arko - Head of Design

Petra Arko is leading a bold and much-needed design movement in the social housing sector, bringing intelligent, human-centred interiors to spaces that have long been underserved. Her focus is on elevating the quality of life for tenants through thoughtful, practical, and dignified design that balances cost-efficiency with lasting impact. At ACIM, Petra is responsible for shaping the interiors across its social housing portfolio, ensuring each project delivers warmth, usability, and a strong sense of place.

With nearly a decade of experience across London and international markets, Petra has designed for a wide range of sectors including co-living, hospitality, and rental housing. Her background has given her the tools to approach social housing with both creativity and rigour, designing interiors that are not only beautiful and distinctive but also robust, efficient, and grounded in the realities of everyday use.

Petra’s design ethos is built on meticulous attention to detail and a belief that quality and function should never be compromised, regardless of budget. She is known for her ability to extract the maximum value from every square metre, delivering spaces that feel curated and personal yet scalable and sustainable.

A passionate advocate for authentic design, Petra works closely with a network of emerging and established designers, artisans and makers from across Britain and Europe. Her work reflects a deep respect for craft, community and the people who will live in the environments she helps to create.