Practice

Amanuel is an experienced Technologist working for over 24 years in the industry. He studied Architecture at Addis Ababa University and has worked across Africa before moving to the UK in 2011. He is very knowledgeable in BIM, enabling him to collaborate effectively and improve productivity throughout the design process. His abilities in Revit enables him to produce 3D visualisation work as well as parametric content databases and creation of office and project templates. He also enjoys cooking and loves world cinema.”

Aya completed her BSc (Hons) at Coventry University. Her passion for environmentally conscious art and sustainable design fuels her architecture journey. Her design philosophy emphasises functionality, respect for contextual culture, and a focus on sustainability. She believe that good architecture is achieved when humans and nature coexist in harmony, and she aspires to become an Architect with sustainability expertise in the future. Her goal is to always deliver functional designs, address architectural challenges and most importantly enjoy the process. Beyond Architecture, she enjoys deep house music, surfing on wild beaches and taking road trips with friends and family.

Ayesha has a particular passion in community engagement and user led design as a pivotal role in placemaking and creating meaningful contextual designs. She was shortlisted for RIBA Rising Star 2021 and Construction Week Role Model 2022, recognising her enthusiasm within the profession. Her experience includes working on community led projects, residential projects and masterplan led initiatives.

She studied at Birmingham City University for her entire architectural education, where her work was nominated for RIBA Bronze Medal and the AJ Student Prize Award and qualified as an Architect in 2021.

Ayesha is also a Studio Teacher delivering built environment workshops in local Birmingham schools, working with the charity Open City who are dedicated in making spaces more open, equitable and accessible to young people.

Gerard has particular experience working in residential, student residential and master planning sectors including a number of large-scale projects across RIBA work stages. He studied at Birmingham City University for his RIBA Part II & III qualifications. Social architecture, sustainability and urban design are his key areas of interest. He has been on trips to cities, across six continents, to experience different cultures and ways of living. Outside of architecture, his main interests are music and football.

Hayley graduated from Leeds College of Art and Design with a BA (Hons) Interior Design in 2007. She has since worked in practice on projects with particular experience in Education, Government Buildings, Libraries and Workplace, as well as in the Leisure and Hospitality sectors. Hayley enjoys working within creative teams on challenging projects to ensure design work takes account of all constraints and opportunities to provide clients with the best possible outcome for their needs and those of the buildings users. In her free time Hayley enjoys swimming and holidays in the sun!

Ian is a founding partner of D5 Architects, which was established in 1989. The practice was formed by a 5-strong group of friends to maintain and progress the design debate they had enjoyed as students at the Birmingham School of Architecture. D5 is now an established independent practice operating internationally and through-out the UK and continues to promote talented designers. Ian has an insatiable passion for Architectural practice in addition to his wife and kids, old cars, fast bikes, intuition and inventiveness.

Isobel graduated from Liverpool John Moore’s in 2018 with a 1st in Architectural Technology and has been working in practice ever since. In this time she has gained experience across a variety of sectors including residential, commercial, and industrial and I has a particular interest in conservation. She’s now making the transition from Technologist to Architect, and is currently completing her RIBA Part 2, part-time, at Birmingham City University. In her spare time she enjoys reading and music.

Jake has a passion for crafting high-quality contextual solutions, transforming his designs through an engaging narrative. He has experience on projects from private residential and community-led initiatives to large commercial mixed-use masterplans. He studied at UWE Bristol, and University of Bath, achieving firsts for both his degree and master's degree. He was nominated for both the Presidents Medal Bronze Award 2018, and Silver Award 2021, and has won RTPI Urban Planner of the Year 2018 and Norman Fosters Urban Design of the Year 2021.

Jennifer qualified in January 2017 and has worked in the UK and New Zealand on private residential, school and commercial projects. Following completion of a Passive Haus course in 2021, she is interested in continuing to develop her knowledge of healthy and sustainable building construction. Jennifer enjoys collaborative working to create site specific design solutions, to budget, with lasting design quality. She loves playing sport, particularly hockey, and being outdoors exploring the countryside with her partner and dog, on bike or on foot.

Joel is passionate about Architecture and the built environment and aims to provide an attentive, enthusiastic, professional and creative service to clients. Following his studies at Birmingham City University he joined D5 in 1996. He’s since completed an extensive portfolio of work across multiple sectors including transportation, education, community, workplace, leisure and residential. He values time with his family & friends, enjoys music, changing of the seasons, cycling to work in the sun and generally getting out and about.

John completed his Degree in Architecture at the University of Plymouth, and then began his architectural career in 2012. He returned to Birmingham to complete his architectural training on a part-time basis while continuing to work and qualified as an Architect in 2019. His years of experience includes work in multiple sectors including industrial, office, community and residential.

John particularly enjoys designs technical detail and has worked on several projects requiring BREEAM certification. Having undertaken a training course in BREEAM he strives to integrate the certification process early on to allow sustainable practical solutions for Client’s proposals.

In his spare time, he enjoys kayaking, travelling and watching rugby.

Joe joined D5 as an Architectural Assistant in 2015 following completion of his undergraduate studies (RIBA Pt.1) at Birmingham City University (BCU). While continuing to work at D5, he then completed his MArch Course (RIBA Pt.2) and RIBA Pt.3 to qualify as an Architect. Joe is interested in the emergence of new technologies and how these can be utilised within the architectural discipline. Aside form work and his studies, Joe is a keen traveller and festival goer.

Marta completed her studies qualifying as an Architect at Granada University in her native Spain. She has experience working on various projects in different sectors including commercial, education, industrial and residential. Marta is an enthusiastic designer that finds inspiration on the beauty of the small details. Marta worked at D5 Architects in Birmingham, full time for 4 years, before returning to Spain, where she now works with us a regular freelance Architect.

“Gadgets are great, but for me you still can’t beat a filofax and a good pen.”, were Martin’s words when he joined D5 Architects in 2009.

Whilst still appreciative of a good pen and notebook, Martin is now firmly focused on using technology to work collaboratively in delivering projects to recognised BIM standards. Achieving a paperless office would also be nice, and is something that Martin is attempting to do one gadget at a time.

Nasir has joined D5 as an Architectural Technologist in 2021. Completed a BSc (Hons) Interior Architecture & Property Development, with a 1st class honours degree. He is an MCIAT member and has developed a keen interest in BIM and 3D Modelling software programmes. He's particularly experienced in healthcare, ecclesiastical, residential and transportation projects.

Peter joined D5 following completion of his RIBA Part 1 BSc (Hons) Degree in Architecture at Coventry University. He enjoys problem solving and creative solutions with a particular interest in the role that architecture can play in combating climate change. He devoted his dissertation to researching the importance of embodied carbon in Passivhaus design to reduce carbon emissions, through the use of Revit BIM technology. In his spare time Peter enjoys playing sport, particularly hockey and has an interest in electronics including building his own PC.

Phil has many years office management experience and thrives on day-to-day challenges that the modern business world brings. Phil believes in ensuring relationships both within and outside the office are maintained and enhanced to provide both an enjoyable working environment and a mutually rewarding business relationship. Phil believes in promoting a healthy work/ life balance and enjoys life outside of work spending time with his wife, grown up children, sports, music and socialising.

Rachael initially completed an HPD in Interior Design before working as a residential interior designer involved in several major renovation projects in Listed Buildings. This inspired Rachael to complete a BSc in Interior Architecture at Wolverhampton University where she achieved a 1st Class Honours Degree and two CIAT awards. Rachael has since worked on student residential, education and leisure projects. Rachael joined D5 in 2018 after a two-year gap following the arrival of her son. In her free time she can be found pottering around at home or in her happy place….a tourer caravan sited in Brean!

Rahini holds a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture from Bharathidasan University, India. Following graduation, she has worked across diverse construction sectors, including residential, commercial, and textile industries. She started her UK career in 2019, gaining further expertise in residential, commercial, retail, and EV charging development projects.

She is particularly passionate about conceptual modelling and construction detailing. Working at D5, she’s keen to expand her knowledge in the aviation sector and deepen her understanding of the BIM process. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, loves music, painting and walking.

Richard joined D5 in 2020, bringing his knowledge and experience of residential and commercial projects to the team. He has built-up a broad range of skills working alongside developers and private clients, delivering high quality design. He enjoys working through all of the work-stages and especially enjoys the technical and practical challenges of delivering projects on-site, on-time and on-budget. Richard is a sports enthusiast and spends most of his weekends on the cricket field or golf course. He has played international cricket for Gibraltar and is a one-time marathon runner.

Richard joined D5 as an Architectural Assistant, following his undergraduate studies (RIBA Pt.1) at Birmingham City University (BCU). He's now completing his Masters (RIBA Pt.2) at BCU on their part time Apprentice course. Richard appreciates the creative development of designing, while considering how architecture can be unique while relating to, and benefitting the local area. Outside of the office, Richard’s loves engaging in new challenges and hobbies, which has led him to attempt rock climbing, surfing, martial arts and even ice hockey.

Rob gained a 1st in Architectural Design & Technology from the University of Wolverhampton in 2015. While studying he worked part-time developing his Revit skills creating content for the National BIM Library. Rob was also the student representative for the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologist and plans to gain Chartered status in the future. He’s a keen eye for detail, enjoying the process of construction and has led the technical development of several multimillion-pound projects. Outside work Rob enjoys family time, baking and cricket.

Savita completed her degree in Architectural Design & Technology in 2015 and since then has gained valuable key experience in BIM, client engagement and producing detailed drawings. Savita is focused on efficient working methods and day-to-day problem solving to meet project and client needs. She believes successful delivery relies upon open communication, collaboration and co-ordination between a design team, which is her aim on every project. She also aims to become MCIAT, travel more and continue to make the most out of every experience.