The individuals behind the collective.

Originally from Glasgow, I cut my teeth designing award winning projects for the highly respected practice Henley Halebrown in London. My experience includes working with progressive local councils to deliver mixed-tenure infill housing on difficult urban sites, a (multi) design award winning Student Halls scheme in a listed parkland setting and the redesign of a Disability Charity’s headquarters into a community destination.

Organisation is my super-power (funnily enough not many architects can say that) and I have a laugh that is unforgettable – it’s a Skimming family trait! I’ve always been interested in how architecture makes us feel and I think that stems from growing up in a post-war new town where the buildings often polarise opinion. I care about the work we take on, I enjoy working with our clients and collaborators; challenges keep me motivated and I see opportunity in almost everything.

I think it’s important to empower people to make decisions that are right for them so we endeavour to make the process both clear and enjoyable for people. As well as working on projects, we are constantly finding ways to make it easier for people to find and develop space that benefits the community both socially and economically.

Good design can improve almost anything, it doesn’t rely on having lots of money – you just need patience and an open mind. I’ve been lucky so far to work on projects with people who share this outlook. After over 9 years working on award-winning projects with MUMA in London, I made the jump and set-up a new architecture studio with Ami.

My experience has covered all project stages, from the initial brief development, stakeholder consultation and concept design through to planning, tender, construction and completion. Seeing projects through from start to finish is what I’m used to, it can be a slow process and it takes some patience - but that’s what I’m good at. This attitude & approach almost always gives the best results. Having previously trained as an architectural technician I’m quite at home with the nitty gritty of working out how to get things built. Every detail is a problem worth solving – it’s got to work and it’s got to look good too.

My approach is hands-on. I develop ideas then work through the detail by sketching and model making - I believe these are indispensable tools for communicating concepts. I am fascinated with the craft of building and of materials & I am continually learning from the craftsmen and professionals I work with.

Little Dog (affectionately known as LD) has been a barkitect for over 15 years. She accompanied Ami at The Glasgow School of Art, where she adopted Jonny. After university she moved to London where she went part time at MUMA architects with Jonny and was a daily feature at Henley Halebrown with Ami.

In that time she has attended countless design team meetings, design reviews and hosted many clients through the doors. Now in the twilight years of her life she’s enjoying her new surroundings in South Dublin. She especially enjoys her daily outings on Killiney Hill & Dun Laoghaire Pier. Her sight and hearing may be slightly impaired but she manages to keep motivated to explore pastures new.

Little Dog knows that her role as barkitect and doggy ambassador is an important one, she instills calmness during stressful times and reminds us all that life should be full of treats!