Sam Nelson, Director
AA Dipl (Hons), ARB, RIBA

Sam has a particular interest in the social impact of architecture and developed this while working for several charities and NGO’s which focus on shelter and construction. He has worked for other leading architecture offices including Herzog & de Meuron in Switzerland, where he worked on high profile arts and residential projects in India and Lebanon.

He studied at the Architectural Association (AA) in London where he graduated with Honours, the AA’s highest award, his work was also nominated for the RIBA Silver medal. Prior to receiving a scholarship to the AA, Sam studied at The University of Bath where he was nominated for the RIBA Bronze medal. He is a chartered member of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Sam is a Design Fellow at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Architecture where he coleads a third year design studio.

Tom Powell, Director
M Phil Cantab, RIBA Part II

Tom has a passion for working in rural contexts and on the integration of ecology with architecture. He has extensive practical construction experience, having project managed Redhill Barn on site. He has previously worked for Herzog & de Meuron in Switzerland, where he worked on arts projects in the US and Hong Kong.

He graduated with distinction from the University of Cambridge with a Masters in Environmental Design in Architecture. His thesis looked at the sustainable development of small rural settlements in the UK and was nominated for the RIBA Silver medal. Prior to Cambridge Tom studied at The University of Bath, where he was nominated for the RIBA Bronze medal.

Ogi Ristic, Director
MA Architecture, ARB

Ogi's focus is to improve the energy performance of new and existing buildings. He is committed to design which reduces energy use and that focuses on zero carbon construction. He is qualified as a Passive House Designer and Tradesperson.

He completed a MArch at the University of Westminster and his project was nominated for the Shoaib Rawat Prize. Prior to this Ogi attended The University of Bath where he won the Basil Spence Prize with Matt and Tom.

Matt Cooper, Director
M Phil Cantab, ARB, RIBA

Matt has knowledge and experience of working on large scale and technically complex projects. During his time as an Associate at Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners, he co-led a £60m development of apartments and art galleries in Mayfair, and played a pivotal role in the design development of the forthcoming extension to the Grade I listed British Library and its interface with Crossrail 2.

He graduated from the University of Cambridge with a Masters in Environmental Design in Architecture. Working with leading educational theorists, his thesis developed a vision for how the architecture of secondary schools might adapt to support whole communities through the emerging social and technological challenges of the 21st century.

Ylam Deme, Part 2 Architectural Assistant
AA Dipl (Hons)

Ylam's interested in preserving architectural heritage via a practice that bridges art and architecture. She graduated from the Architectural Association (AA) with honours. Prior to the AA, she received training from the Atelier de Sevres in Paris, where her body of work focused on etchings and photography.

Having previously worked for firms such as Arquitectura-G and Sam Chermayeff, she gained a wealth of experience in a variety of fields ranging from retail projects to bespoke furniture design, as well as stage designs for operas.

Izzy Farquharson, Part 2 Architectural Assistant
MA Cantab

Izzy is inspired by the relationship between architecture, nature and communities, and the influence that the built environment has on human psychology and behaviour.

Izzy graduated from the Royal College of Art in 2023, where she was awarded the Technical Studies Prize and nominated for the RIBA London West Award. Prior to this, she studied at the University of Cambridge, graduating with First Class Honours in 2019.

She has previously worked at Jonathan Tuckey Design, a practice specialising in the adaptive reuse of existing structures, gaining experience on a wide range of residential and commercial projects.