Profile

HMY is an award winning Architectural Practice based in Kent. Established in Covent Garden in 1984 and now operating from studios in Tunbridge Wells and Dover, our team comprises 25 staff including four partners.

We design buildings and environments of different scales and complexity across a wide range of sectors in London and the South-East. From masterplanning exercises, new buildings, sensitive conservation work, retrofit and interior design projects, we are experienced in the delivery of residential, commercial, healthcare and leisure sectors. Good communication and dialogue have become central to the ethos of our practice – we believe that the best buildings arise from the client, and ultimately the contractor, becoming full participating members of the design team. Our ongoing commitment to the use of the latest design technology available combined with our strongly motivated, professional and highly qualified design team have earned HMY a reputation for delivery of our clients’ visions whilst working within programme and budget parameters.

Our aspiration is to create the highest quality architecture for our clients.

Our people

The Partners, Architects, Architectural Assistants and Interior Designers all work together to create intelligent buildings which inspire and delight. Our passion lies in our wish to create the highest quality modern architecture, combined with our commitment to advancing the technology of the built environment.

John McCormack

BSc (Hons) BArch RIBA
johnmc@hmy.uk.com

John has been a Partner at HMY since the Practice started in 1984. He is responsible for the financial administration of the Practice, as well as leading on educational, residential and special needs sector work, and acting as a Principal Designer.

John has extensive experience working for developers, education providers, community and commercial clients, translating and converting their needs and aspirations into viable and practical, well-designed solutions within a clearly defined budget and timescale.

Outside of work, John has been the Director of Estates and a Board Member at Crowborough Beacon Golf Club since 2014.

Key Projects:
Respite Care Facility for Children and Specialist School Provisions for LB of Waltham Forest / New Science Block at Fort Pitt Grammar School in Chatham / Babington House School in Chislehurst / Redevelopment of Walton Heath Golf Clubhouse Site / Specialist School Provision in Romford / Mixed Use development in Billingshurst / Various Residential schemes for Developers and House Owners.

Key projects

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James Galpin

BA (Hons) Dip Arch RIBA
jamesg@hmy.uk.com

James joined HMY in 1999 and has been a full equity Partner since 2007 with responsibilities for Professional Indemnity, Technical Standards and use of CAD/Revit/BIM facilities and IT systems within the Practice.

James is passionate about working with clients to provide them with buildings and developments that exceed and reflect their aspirations. Although he has worked in many sectors, James’s focus is mainly on commercial, education and residential projects, with a specialism in PassivHaus and low energy design.

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Stephen Coomber

BA (Hons) Dip Arch RIBA
stephenc@hmy.uk.com

Stephen joined the Practice in 1995 and has been a full equity Partner since 2000. Stephen is the lead Partner at the Dover office where the office specialisms include Healthcare, Special Needs and Education projects. He is also responsible for Practice wide HR.

During his time at HMY, Stephen has developed our East Kent office now located in Dover and been involved primarily in Educational and Healthcare projects across the South East. In the Healthcare sector, Stephen works closely with clients to re-develop hospital estates and other medical environments incorporating the latest technology creating environments to improve wellbeing. In education he continues to work with FE Colleges, Universities and special needs, utilising our in-house Interior Design Team.

Stephen is former chair of RIBA West Kent Branch and occasional visiting studio tutor and a Constructing Excellence Committee Member.

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David Hall

BA (Hons) Dip Arch RIBA
davidh@hmy.uk.com

David joined HMY in 2009 and became a full equity Partner in May 2018. His responsibilities including QA, Health & Safety and Technical Standards along with performing the duties of Principal Designer for clients.

David’s key areas of expertise are the technical delivery and construction phases of projects and he has many years’ experience acting on behalf of the Practice as Contract Administrator/Site Delivery Architect, working closely with clients, contractors and consultants to ensure the successful delivery of many successful, exciting and stimulating buildings for the Practice.

Key projects

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  • Teodoro Tonelli
    Architectural Assistant

    BA (Hons) DipArch RIBA

    Teodoro joined the HMY team in 2018 as an Architectural Assistant. He has a wealth of experience and knowledge designing buildings via 3d modelling, CGI Imagery and video presentation, assisting the Practice across all three offices.

    These skills help clients to engage more fully in the design process and to facilitate involvement in developing their projects.

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  • Joanna McCormack
    Practice Administrator

    London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Private Secretary’s Certificate

    Prior to joining the Practice in 1991 Joanna worked for International Cost Consultants and was PA to the Managing Partner of an Architect’s Practice in London. Leading the Admin Team, Joanna reports directly to each of the Partners, providing HR and Financial Administrative support as well as ensuring the smooth day-to-day running at both of HMY’s Kent offices. Joanna is responsible for all non-project matters in the Practice and her experience guides the Admin Team to perform professionally and to a high standard.

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  • Georgina Harrison
    Finance Assistant

    Member of the Institute of Legal Finance & Management

    Georgina has been the Finance Assistant at HMY since 2016. Prior to this she trained at, and worked for, a Chartered Accountant’s Practice for over 20 years and then spent 12 years as Finance Manager for a firm of solicitors. Reporting directly to the Practice Administrator she is responsible for maintaining the SAGE records, assisting with producing management figures and dealing with daily financial queries.

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  • Shaun Lilley
    Architect

    BA (Hons) MArch

    Shaun joined HMY in July 2018 as an Architectural Assistant and became a fully qualified RIBA Chartered Architect in 2020. Since joining the Practice Shaun has been involved with various projects, supporting his team members, most recently on the Kent and Medway Medical School.

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  • Belinda Tonelli
    Associate

    BA (Hons) DipArch RIBA

    Belinda studied at Brighton University and qualified as an Architect in 1998. She has been with HMY since 2005 and was made an Associate in May 2018.

    Belinda is a highly experienced Project Architect and has managed a wide variety of projects, including residential, education and leisure developments. She has experience working on the restoration and conservation of Listed buildings, one of which was awarded the Kent Design and Development Conservation Award 2018.

    Belinda has also managed several BIM level 2 projects, which require the production of information in a collaborative 3D environment.

    Belinda is currently leading the teams for the new Kent and Medway Medical School for the University of Kent, and a Respite Care Centre / Specialist School in Leyton Green for the London Borough of Waltham Forest.

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  • Bryn Warlow
    Associate

    BA (Hons) Dip Arch RIBA

    Bryn joined HMY in 2005 having studied for his degree and diploma at Portsmouth and Plymouth universities respectively and completed his Part 3 studies in 2007. He became an Associate in May 2019.

    Bryn has extensive experience in the education sector and has been the project architect for numerous successful and award-winning projects over the last 10 years for both Local Authority and Independent School clients including, most recently, Skinners Kent Primary School and The Great Hall, Kent College Canterbury.

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  • Gordon Young
    Consultant

    BSc (Hons) BArch RIBA

    Gordon was one of the founding members of the Practice and since retiring as a Partner in March 2018 has remained as a Consultant, assisting with business development.

    Gordon’s principal role in the Practice has been development of the firm’s masterplanning and community architecture skills. Participation and community involvement have always been a driving principle of the firm, best illustrated in the many estate regeneration and group self-build schemes the Practice has undertaken.

    Gordon is a keen photographer, sailor and fly fisherman and was a founder of Reel Friends, the construction industry fly-fishing society. He is also Chairman of Governors and a Trustee of Cranbrook School.

    Key Projects –
    Residential components of masterplans for Kings Cross, Greenwich Peninsula and Spitalfields Markets, masterplans for urban extensions to Bowers Gifford, Basildon: Princes Risborough and North Witney, campus plan and fit-out of offices and production facilities for Thales at Manor Royal in Crawley, fit-out of Citypoint Moorgate & over 2,000 dwellings in group self-build schemes across the country.

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  • Julie Brown
    Senior Business Support Assistant


    Julie has worked in the construction industry since leaving school and joined HMY in 1990. She now assists the Practice Administrator with the many and varied aspects of Practice Management, including assisting the technical staff when required and overseeing our Constructionline presence. Julie is responsible for managing Frameworks and assists the Partners in submitting bid documents as well as collating information for benchmarking and Professional Indemnity Insurance renewals.

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  • Rui Marques
    Architect

    BArch RIBA

    Rui joined the HMY team in 2013 after moving to the UK from Portugal. In addition to his role as Architect, Rui is the Practice’s Building Information Modelling (BIM) Manager.

    He has worked on a wide variety of projects including new PassivHaus builds, the redevelopment of local hotels and car parks and most recently working with the team on the Kent and Medway Medical School at the University of Kent.

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  • Lucy Bryant
    Architectural Assistant
  • Matt Porter
    Architect
  • Olympia Dalitis
    Architect

    BA (Hons) MArch PGDip RIBA

    Olympia started working at HMY in 2014 as a Part II Architectural Assistant and became a fully qualified Architect in 2016.

    She has worked across a variety of sectors including residential, educational and leisure but predominately works within the education sector for both new builds and refurbishments. She has been involved in a diverse range of projects for nurseries, schools, colleges and universities. Olympia aspires to create spaces that enhance learning and teaching environments.

    She has also been involved in the RIBA Student Mentoring Scheme (South East) mentoring students from the local universities.

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  • Ben Jugoo
    Associate

    BA(Hons) DipArch RIBA

    Ben worked with HMY as a project architect between 2004-2014 and has rejoined the practice after a period of gaining extensive education experience in London and the
    South-East.
    Ben is an Associate with responsibilities for leading projects, resourcing and assisting our BIM manager in developing our digital strategy. Ben’s strengths lie in his technical knowledge, Project and Quality Assurance management. He has experience with both traditional and modular construction.
    Ben is currently involved with a project for East Kent University NHS Foundation Trust, to expand the Emergency Department at the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital in Margate and projects at University of Kent.

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  • Akilah Damani
    Architect

    BA (Hons) BArch MA RIBA

    Akilah joined HMY in 2014 as an Architect. Focusing mainly on the healthcare sector, Akilah has been involved with many successful projects for East Kent University NHS Foundation Trust, William Harvey Hospital and QEQM Hospitals, refurbishing and creating new and innovative workspaces. She is also the Project Architect for a new concept in dementia care at the Harmonia Dementia Village in Dover (Designing for people living with dementia).

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  • Alan Found
    Senior Architect

    BA (Hons) Dip Arch MA RIBA

    Alan joined the HMY team in June 2018 following the merger with Hartwell Architects. He is now acting as a Senior Architect in our Dover office and is responsible for CDM and quality management for the Dover office. Since joining HMY, Alan has been involved in various projects including the regeneration of Dover Town Centre, new housing for Dover District Council, multiple projects for the Port of Dover and a new £3M church building that recently obtained planning permission.

    During his years as a Partner at Hartwell Architects Alan led on many of the projects including a £27M factory for carbon fibre manufacture in Hampshire and many school development projects throughout Kent.

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  • Chris Burrows
    Senior Architect

    BA Dip Arch MSc Meng RIBA

    Chris joined HMY in 2013, bringing extensive experience gained from working in multiple London Practices. As a Senior Architect he has successfully delivered several educational projects for HMY, most recently an award-winning new-build primary school for the Hundred of Hoo Academy.

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  • Chris Settle
    Architectural Assistant

    RIBA Part I - BA (Hons)

    Chris recently joined the HMY team as an Architectural Assistant and is working towards his RIBA Part II qualification.

    Previously Chris was employed by the Canterbury School of Architecture where he established and supported resources specialising in digital fabrication, motion tracking and virtual reality.

    He has been assisting the Canterbury team with many projects since joining HMY and has been involved with a range of RIBA stages, developing his knowledge and skills throughout.

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  • Ian Moore
    Architect

    BA(Hons) PGDip RIBA

    Ian joined HMY in 2022 as a project architect with extensive experience in NHS projects. These range from Dementia friendly design, mental health and acute healthcare.

    Ian is based at our Dover office and is currently involved with a Medical School Accommodation project in Tunbridge Wells and a Barn Theatre project in Maidstone.

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  • Lauren Bason
    Interior Designer

    RIBA Part I - BA (Hons)

    Lauren joined HMY in 2017 and achieved her RIBA Part I from UCA Canterbury. As Interior Designer, Lauren brings knowledge of accessibility, colour theory, ergonomics and brand application to a variety of projects ranging from education, historical and healthcare.

    She enjoys all parts of the design process from the initial concept ideas, creating digital visualisations, through to the dialogue with clients and contractors, combining her Interior Design knowledge with her Architectural skills to help create new and exciting designs.

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  • Nathaniel Seall
    Architect and CAD Manager

    BA (Hons) MArch (with Architectural Pedagogy) PGDip RIBA

    Nathaniel first joined the HMY team in 2008 as an Architectural Assistant and is currently taking his Part III examinations to become a fully qualified Architect. He is also the CAD Manager for the Practice as well as Assistant BIM Manager.

    As well as helping the whole team with CAD and IT training, queries and development, Nathaniel has been involved in many different projects, working with clients, contractors and other consultants at all stages of the project lifecycle. In the last few years he has been involved in a number of refurbishment, conservation and restoration projects on locally significant Listed buildings.

    Alongside his work at HMY, Nathaniel is also a Studio Tutor and regular Guest Critic on the Architecture degree course at Kent School of Architecture and Planning.

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  • Thomas Taylor
    Architect

    BA (Hons) MArch PGDip RIBA

    Thomas joined HMY in 2014 as an Architectural Assistant and is currently working towards his RIBA Part III examinations. He has been involved in multiple residential developments, assisting with the extensions at Harrietsham Primary School and Marlborough House School. He has also worked on several projects for East Kent University NHS Foundation Trust.

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  • Mandi Butler
    Business Support Assistant


    Mandi joined the Admin Team in October 2021. Prior to this she worked for Dover Harbour Board in a Commercial Assistant role. Her previous positions were divided across the areas of commercial, finance and procurement, allowing her to utilise her experience to support the Practice. Mandi reports directly to the Practice Administrator and provides all aspects of Business Support primarily to the Partner and staff of the Dover Office, ensuring the expected high standards of the Practice are maintained.

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Clients

Learning
Living
  • Marlborough House School
  • Medway Council
  • Millwood Designer Homes Ltd
  • NHBC
  • Perfect Homes Ltd
  • Phillip Jeans Homes
  • Portman Homes
Health
Community
Leisure
  • Bewl Events and Water Park Ltd
  • Cranbrook Rugby & Cricket Club
  • Nevill Golf Club
  • Salomons Estate
  • Wildernesse Golf Club
Workplace
Industrial
  • Gallagher Group
  • MET Ltd
  • Tyler Holdings Ltd
  • Valor Real Estate Partners LLP
  • Wealdoval Developments Ltd
Conservation
  • Dover Harbour Board
Zero Carbon Retrofit
  • West Kent Housing Association
Masterplanning
  • Baxall Construction Ltd
  • Brighton & Hove City Council
  • Gemselect Ltd
  • Hastings Borough Council
  • Hastings United Football Club
  • Helvig Ltd
  • Medway Council Housing Services
  • Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
  • Tymaric Properties Ltd
  • Webster Estates
  • WSP UK Ltd
Local Authorities
Design and Build

I write to record my thanks for the very high standards maintained throughout the building of our new Science block. A build costing £3.9 million was always going to present challenges but I have been hugely impressed with the delivery of the construction as well as the fitting out. Thank you for adhering to the high standards required in all aspects and for providing such an outstanding piece of architecture.

Nick Watkiss, Headteacher at Fort Pitt Grammar School

HMY's design team have responded well to the brief set creating two well-designed buildings that will perform well, settle beautifully into this sensitive landscape and provide great facilities for staff and visitors alike. Based on recent feasibility work the buildings should be within budget and to programme....well done HMY!

Laurence Tricker, Programme and Projects Manager at Maidstone Borough Council

Good communication, a professional approach and a responsive team have resulted in two successfully completed projects.

Angela Jenkins, Bursar at Kent College Pembury

Throughout the design process HMY were attentive to the School's needs and always worked extremely closely with them. Once construction started they ably 'managed' the contractor and continued to innovate and ensure that the finished product was of the very highest standard, whilst remaining within budget. The School has gained an outstanding boarding house, significantly due to the efforts of the HMY team. HMY have significant education sector experience and I have no doubt that they are capable of undertaking the most daunting and challenging of tasks in this area. They were a pleasure to work with and I have no hesitation in recommending them to other clients.

James Stremes, Estates Manager at Whitgift School
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