Practice

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.

Joe joined D5 as an Architectural Assistant in 2015. Having completed his undergraduate studies (RIBA Pt.1) at Birmingham City University (BCU), he has returned to BCU to undertake his MArch Course (RIBA Pt.2), while continuing to work within the office. As a student 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.

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.

Madeleine joined D5 as a Partner in 2016. She has extensive experience in the design and delivery of learning environments at all levels, as well as in residential, community and transportation sectors. She is focused on delivering innovative, value driven solutions to all projects, providing bespoke responses to meet the needs of clients. Madeleine also holds a position as Professional Examiner at BCU. She’s passionate about her kids, travelling and cooking or any combination of the three.

Mike joined D5 Architects in 2010 as a Senior Architectural Technician. With 30 years experience, Mike brings with him an extensive knowledge of construction techniques and detailing solutions gleaned from working in many different sectors and building types. Mike challenges himself to maintain the design intent throughout the detailing and construction process to realise a finished building faithful to the original design concept. In his spare time, Mike enjoys sailing where he is a qualified RYA Dinghy Instructor.

Inspired by a design competition for a Buddhist retreat on Arran, Hannah studied at the University of Sheffield before moving to Birmingham and qualifying as an Architect at Birmingham City University. In addition to working within education, community, sport and residential sectors, Hannah has extensive experience in the transportation sector and has led two major transport infrastructure projects. When not working, Hannah can be found pottering in her garden.

“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.

Saiman is currently completing his RIBA Pt.3 studies to qualify as an Architect at Birmingham City University and has completed both his Pt.1 & Pt.2 there. Previously he has worked on high value residential projects in Winchester and the Channel Islands. He also lived and worked in South Asia designing luxury leisure projects. He returned to Birmingham in 2015 and joined D5. He enjoys a mix of old and new Architecture and exploring the great outdoors with his family.

Antonella began training in Italy, whilst working in her fathers Engineering Consultancy. While studying she completed thesis research in Portugal leading onto work experience later. Antonella qualified as an Architect in Italy and completed a year in private practice before moving to Germany for two years after which she joined D5 in 2015, registering with ARB as a UK qualified Architect. She’s inspired by timeless work in architecture, sculpture, painting, music or poetry. And seeks a life full of passion... and good espresso.

Lia joined D5 in 2016 as an apprentice office administrator, a full time role, which forms part of her Business Administration studies at Birmingham Metropolitan College, Sutton Coldfield. When not working she loves Disney films, spending time with her family and she also loves spicy food.

Jeremy joined D5 in 2016, after studying at Birmingham City University (RIBA Pt.1) and Westminster University (RIBA Pt.2) and completing a research thesis in Japan. Throughout his studies and professional career, Jeremy has developed an interest in how architecture operates across scales: from urban to detail level. He is experienced in Building Information Modeling and parametric design, and has an ongoing interest in Japanese contemporary architecture.

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 and grown up children, enjoys walking with his rescue dog Charlie, sports, music and socialising.

In addition to being a qualified architect Christopher holds higher qualifications in Urbanism and Education. His career has encompassed practice, education, research, international event management, and co-founding an art gallery. His professional interest focuses on the relationship between social and physical contexts, particularly the role perception plays as mediator between the two. In his spare time you can find him travelling, listening to live music - the noisier the better - and watching classic cinema, especially noir.

Nidhi is a Passivhaus enthusiast with commitment to sustainable and low energy buildings. Her major concern is the health and wellbeing of building occupants. She has both academic and industry experience working in multiple construction sectors including commercial, education and residential, where she has completed low energy Passivhaus Standard housing. Nidhi is a trustee of AECB (Association of Environment Conscious Building) and organises their regional events. In her spare time she enjoys yoga, baking and painting with her daughter and is also a keen cyclist.

Marta studied Architecture at Granada University in her native Spain where she qualified as an Architect. She then worked on new build residential projects in Spain, which included preparation of EPC’s for each property. She moved to the UK in 2015 and had her qualifications validated by the ARB, qualifying her as an Architect in the UK. Marta’s UK experience includes work within the commercial, education, industrial and residential sectors. She joined D5 in 2017. Marta is an enthusiastic designer who finds inspiration in the beauty of small details.

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Hannah joined D5 as an Architect in 2018. She obtained her undergraduate at Oxford Brookes (RIBA Pt. 1) and masters (RIBA Pt. 2) at the University of Westminster, returning there to qualify as an Architect (RIBA Pt.3) in 2016. Hannah grew up in the West Midlands and has recently relocated from London where she worked for a contractor, gaining invaluable site experience in how buildings are put together. Aside from architecture, Hannah is a cat enthusiast with a passion for interior design, running and cycling.

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.

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Gosia completed her undergraduate course in Architecture & Urban Planning in Poland at Wroclaw University of Technology with a First Honours Degree. She then moved to the UK in 2015 to pursue her architectural career. She’s engaged by the relationship between art, craft and Architecture, which fuels her interest in how these can inspire and inform her design work. Gosia is currently studying her RIBA Part II course at Birmingham City University, which she is due to complete in June 2019. The part-time course allows Gosia to combine education with work to the benefit of both.

David has experience across multiple sectors including education, residential and conservation. David has a strong interest in the conservation of our architectural heritage, the process, the quality of craftsmanship and materials used. David is passionate about good design, he believes this is at the forefront of all successful and beautiful architectural solutions. He believes we are in a privileged position to be able to design and shape the environment within which we live and work, it is this relationship which continually motivates him.

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