About Us - RIBA Chartered Architects - OPEN Architecture
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Director

STEPHANIE MASON

Go-getter. People person. Vodka and cucumber tonic enthusiast. Spa dweller. Works hard, plays hard.

Stephanie joined OPEN architecture back in 2017 and has since then taken over the reins of the business with Glyn in 2019. At OPEN, Stephanie is not only Director of the company, but champions the Interiors sector with a small dedicated team in the studio.

She has a passion for designing inspirational spaces, with client satisfaction and the end user’s needs being the paramount force behind the original design idea and process. She has a wealth of experience in Interior Architecture, ranging from prestigious Developer led projects in London (such as Belvedere Gardens and 190 Strand) to projects further afield in Kuala Lumpur when working at Foster + Partners.

Stephanie’s educational background is impressive and varied; with qualifications beginning with a Master of Architecture from the Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA and later gaining a Master of Art from the Architectural Association, London in Housing and Urbanism. She has also gained a Postgraduate Diploma in Interior Design from the British Academy of Interior Design, London.

In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys getting lost in a good book with the precious time alone given her young family commitments, spending time with friends and family and relaxing over some enthralling TV.

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Director

GLYN FRIEND

Detail orientated. BMX racer. Family man. Fruity cider lover. Outdoors explorer.

Glyn is the Director principally heading the Retail Sector with an impressive varied experience across sectors prior to working at OPEN architecture. Glyn has been with the company nine years and he and Stephanie have been running OPEN architecture together since 2019. As a team they are a force to be reckoned with!

His past experience is wide and varied and includes working on prisons, residential, education, Master Planning and urban design and leisure resorts. Of this vast arena of sector expertise, Glyn is particularly interested in the Retail, Education, Urban Design and Housing fields. He is a graduate of Greenwich University culminating in his Post Grad Professional Studies (Part III) here too.

Glyn is driven by concentrating on the details be it at the macro or micro scale of architecture and the built environment. He strongly believes that good architecture and design can and does have a positive effect on people’s lives and how they live, work and travel through spaces; it is our duty as designers to embrace this when delivering projects to clients. He brings this passion in detail in all the Retail projects in the studio at OPEN architecture.

Glyn is a keen mountain bike rider, BMX racer and Judo champ. He enjoys walking, outdoor activities and visiting new places, be it cities, buildings, urban developments or our fantastic national parks.

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Director

PAUL MORRISH

Creative. Practical. Bread and Pizza maker. Photographer & Outdoor adventurer.

Paul is the Director who predominantly looks after the commercial/development projects within the practice.  He is an Architect with more than 25 years experience working on projects in the UK and abroad.  He has worked across many  building sectors including: residential, education, development and ecclesiastical projects of which a number have won RIBA National Awards.

At OPEN architecture, Paul successfully leads projects through all stages of the design process – from site appraisal and concept, through planning, detailed design on to completion on site.  He has delivered a variety of projects, of varying scales, from small private dwellings up to £15M mixed-use developments.  He has a keen eye for design which is supported by his in-depth knowledge on construction and building methodologies.

Paul loves the outdoors and volunteers as a local Air Scout leader.

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Senior Architect

JOANNA LOIZOU

Gets the job done. Baking queen. Multi tasker. BMXer.

Joanna has over 15 years' experience, working in mainly the residential sector with past experience working in education, healthcare and development sectors.

In the past she has worked closely with Housing Associations across London to achieve deliverable schemes, which include high end apartments to affordable social housing. She is a graduate of the University of Greenwich and is RIBA accredited.

In more recent years Joanna has developed a specialism for the private residential market, with an emphasis on good design achieved within often tight budgets. At OPEN she has had a pivotal role in developing and improving the domestic housing technical packages. She has the ability to work across a project for all stages and has a mentoring role within the office to make sure consistent technical information is being delivered across all domestic residential schemes.

Outside of OPEN, Joanna enjoys a hectic home life with her two sons and with any free time remaining loves a good book and baking.

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Architect

MARC STORMS

Solution finder. Science and History enthusiast. Belgian married to a Brit.

An Architect with more than 20 years experience, Marc's work ranges from new sleek office buildings to state-of-the-art hospitals, medical university departments and the renovation of listed properties and chateaux. He had a great time for a few years as head of the design team for Blue Forest Treehouses, creating enchanting treetop hideaways, eco classrooms and yoga studios in exquisite properties all over the country.

Marc's main expertise is residential, both new builds and renovation projects. He is passionate about the sensitive renovation of heritage buildings and is RIBA conservation registered.

Very approachable, Marc carefully listens to the client and works with them from concept to completion to the benefit of the project. His approach to architecture is decisive, personable, and optimistic. The principles of proportion, harmony and the careful selection of materials are very important factors of Marc's works.
In his free time, Marc enjoys reading when he is not watching French comedy and films with his family. He is the happy owner of a small classic boat which he enjoys restoring and sailing in summer.

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Architect

JOSEPH PRIOR

Design enthusiast. Arty. Keen linguist. Tenacious tennis player.

Before joining OPEN architecture Joseph completed his Part II at Leeds School of Architecture and his Part I at the University of Manchester. He completed his Part III exams at the University of Westminster and qualified in 2020.

For his final thesis project Joseph designed a masterplan exploiting waterway infrastructure to drive ecological development, creating suburban islands for live, work and play. He won the award for the West Yorkshire Society of Architect’s prize for excellence in drawing.

Joseph is enthusiastic about design and has past experience on private residential and conservation projects He truly believes in customising space to create quality environments to both live in and enjoy.

In his spare time Joseph enjoys art, music, keeping active and is a particular tennis enthusiast. He has a keen interest in language and is currently studying Mandarin.

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Architect

ANDREEA OCIU

Sociable. Classy designer. Nordic colours addict. Mountains & forests explorer. Growing my own veggies. 

Andreea completed her studies at the University of Alicante in Spain. During her studies she had the opportunity to complete part of her Bachelor’s degree at the Technical University of Munchen where her work was selected by Krucker Bates Studio for publication. She also studied for a period at the University of Sydney in Australia.

Her graduation project involved the refurbishment of an old timber factory in a picturesque valley in order to bring tourism and generate a community environment. Soft landscaping and sensitive architecture was introduced in order to respect the conservation area within the ruins.

Andreea has gained a variety of experience working in architectural practices in Australia, Spain and England, whilst working there she also took part in design competitions, capacity studies and feasibilities.

She has been involved in a range of projects, from inception to planning applications . She was part of the design team that won a competition to develop the design for a church/community centre and social housing in London.

Outside of OPEN, Andreea loves the outdoors and exploring the forests nearby. She owns an allotment where she grows her veggies and enjoys the peace and quiet. She has an interest in languages and is trying to learn German at the moment.

 

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Architectural Assistant

MICHAEL BAUTISTA - TRIMMING

Squash Player. Cycling Enthusiast. Avid Golfer. Coffee Connoisseur.

Michael joined OPEN in 2020 as a Part II Architectural Assistant, before this he completed both his bachelor’s and master’s degree at Newcastle University. His master’s thesis was a dystopian tale commenting on societies reliance on data and social media, inspired heavily by George Orwell’s novel 1984.

Michael is enthusiastic about architecture that has a focus on attention to detail and material, he believes this can create unique spaces which not only compliment but improve their setting. Having gained numerous years of experience working in the North East on a wide variety of projects including residential, civic, development, heritage, leisure and healthcare projects of varying values, he looks forward to see what the warmer South East has to offer. He hopes to begin his Part III in the near future.

Michael enjoys graphic design and illustrations putting his passion to use during his time at university, being a co-founder, editor and graphic designer of Newcastle’s Architecture School’s student run zine production before he graduated, as well as editing and curating a number of printed publications.

Outside the office Michael is an avid squash player, he also likes to get outdoors, spending his time playing golf, cycling and travelling as much as possible.

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Architectural Assistant

EWELINA KIELAK

Creative. Animal lover. Sunny disposition. Chocoholic.

 Ewelina joined OPEN architecture in 2020 as a Part II Architectural Assistant.  She completed her studies in 2019 in the Architecture and Urban Planning Disciplines at Gdansk University of Technology in Poland, where she received the title of ‘Master of Science, Engineer Architect’. She completed her second semester of her postgraduate course at Strathclyde University in Glasgow.

Her background is mainly in architecture, universal design, interior design, graphic design, photography, promotion, marketing and management. Her master’s degree project was focused mainly on Pop Up City, Placemaking, Coworking, Activisation of Public Space and Adaptation; inspired by Whyte’s and Gehl’s literature. She developed temporary uses in an urban context and short-term interventions. For her thesis project she designed a student district in Gdansk Wrzeszcz.

Ewelina is passionate about architecture but is active in other fields as well. During her studies she was a member of the Universal Design Science Club, on the Board of European Students of Technology and Architectural Festivals Volunteer.

Ewelina loves animals and socialising. She is also quite partial to chocolate and Asian food.

 

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Architectural Assistant

LUKE WADE

Running enthusiast. Will go the extra mile. Ready with a quick witted one liner.

Luke completed his bachelor's degree in 2018, graduating from the University of Plymouth. Following a year of travelling Luke joined OPEN architecture in 2019. Since joining he has worked on a variety of jobs, ranging from larger development projects to bespoke private residential designs.

Luke’s focus lies on sustainable architecture and its unification with contemporary design. He is interested in the development of architecture that seeks to minimize the negative environmental impact through the use of technology, whilst still maintaining a consideration for thoughtful design.

Luke is an avid runner outside of the office, taking part in numerous local races over the past year, including the Brighton marathon. Luke enjoys any outdoors activity, including hiking and cycling as well as travelling.

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Technician / Surveyor

RYAN HUTCHINSON

Musician. Surveyor. Technical whizz. 

Ryan joined as a Technologist/Surveyor in 2021, he has experience working in the residential, commercial, retail and medical sectors, working on numerous projects throughout the country and abroad. Ryan cut his teeth as a Draughtsman creating highly detailed drawing packages using both Revit & AutoCAD.

In more recent years, Ryan has worked with a number of the UK’s leading housing developers aiding in the development of various apartments/flats and houses for rental, shared ownership and private sale schemes, predominantly focused on the M&E design he got a feel for the technical aspect of building design and is looking to further improve his knowledge & skills. 

Outside of the office Ryan has been studying musical theory and electric guitar through the Royal College of Music.

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Accounts

PAULA HUDSON

Maths whizz. Beach lover. Detail orientated. Globe trotter. Quick witted. Green fingered.

Paula is our wonderful accounts person. She is a delight to work with and has helped us out enormously since she started with us in 2019. She has over 20 years' experience in looking after people’s accounts. Her OPEN architecture clients are obviously her favourites by far to work with.

Paula loves being outdoors in the countryside but also takes every opportunity she can to nip down to the coast. Devon is one of her most favourite places to be. She’s an avid gardener and loves to deepen her horticultural knowledge whenever possible. Her garden is a place she has become very proud of. Paula enjoys broadening her horizons and adores visiting one of her sons in whichever foreign city he’s currently living in (five to date).

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Office Manager / Executive Assistant

SAM WINTER

Solution seeker. Thinks outside the box. Doughnut maker. Mum.

Sam started working for Open in 2021.  She has over 25 years’ experience managing offices in a variety of industries. She has worked within Social Care, Charities, and Corporate and more recently gained experience within the Building industry.

Sam keeps the studio running smoothly and enjoys making sure the team have everything they need.  Sam has her NVQ Level 3 in Business and Administration and a Diploma from the Institute of Leadership and Management.

Outside of Open, Sam is mum to a teenage daughter and cat mum to Bailey. In her free time she will usually have a book in her hand or due to her love of music can be found on a dance floor somewhere. Sam loves animals and finding new restaurants to try and when she can spending time on a hot beach.

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Receptionist & Administrator

WENDY ANDERSON

People person, Perfectionist, TV addict & Handbag lover!!

Wendy joined OPEN in 2021.  She is outgoing and bubbly and will always greet you with a smile and quite often a biscuit.

She has over 35 years experience working in customer service and administration in a wide variety of organisations and industries.

She has a keen interest in Architecture and design after working in the industry for 13 years.

Outside OPEN in her spare time she enjoys getting outside for long country walks or cycling. She loves to spend time with friends and family.  Enjoys a good drama on the box!

 

LOCAL ARCHITECTS & DESIGNERS

Whether you are planning an extension to your home or a full refurbishment of an office block, choosing an Architect can be one of the most important decisions you make. To ensure that you’re looking at the perfect build at the end of the project, you need to make sure you get off on the right foot by working with the best local Architects for your endeavour.

Ideally, the firm you choose will be familiar with the local area. They should have a thorough knowledge and understanding of local authority planning rules and the latest building regulations.

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ARCHITECTS COVERING TONBRIDGE

OPEN architecture are a group of RIBA chartered Architects with over 25 years’ experience providing architectural planning and design to businesses and residents in Tonbridge, Kent. We strive to create both beautiful and functional spaces with innovative designs produced to the very highest standard.

We listen to your needs to produce the design that is right for you. Our wide portfolio covers a range of Private Residential, Development and other types of properties, with both traditional and contemporary architectural requirements. We ensure we oversee your project from start to finish.

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ARCHITECTS COVERING TUNBRIDGE WELLS

With over 25 years’ experience in architecture planning, our team of RIBA Chartered Architects offer services throughout Royal Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding areas. Our aim is to create both beautiful and functional spaces with innovative design, produced to the highest technical standard, starting with our design team who will fulfil your vision in their meticulous design plans. We make sure to get every detail about your requirements to produce a design that is right for you.

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