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 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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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!

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.”

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. Whilst progressing in his journey to becoming a fully qualified Architect, he 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.

Meera completed her RIBA Part 1 and 2 at the University of Lincoln following which she completed her RIBA Part 3 at Birmingham City University qualifying as an Architect in 2020. She particularly enjoys working with existing buildings and on heritage led projects where the blend of the old and new can create unique spaces, in addition to bringing a building back to life. Outside of work she enjoys anything she gets to make and craft, from cooking to painting, while enjoying the occasional glass of wine.

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.

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.