Old School House for @FHSSloaneSquare has been shortlisted by @ribalondon @riba for the #RIBAawards 2024. The 19th century building had been through many conversions before ending up vacant & ready to have its original character restored. #refurbishment #award #design
Right back to the beginning in 1986 when IID was still young and operating as a team of four. Communication took days by letter, drawings took weeks by hand, telephones were huge and Alan, Chris, Paul & Simon were planning where they could take the practice in the years to come. #IID40 #changes #practice #history
You can do a lot with a little. Sometimes our clients want to improve the usability, appeal and impact of the spaces they already have but don’t have the budget or time to undertake full scale refurbishment projects. At the University of Westminster, one of their café spaces was hardly being used by staff and students. We transformed the space by uncovering hidden windows to bring in more daylight, adding colour/ texture to the walls to soften the glare of the existing lighting and unfriendly white walls, and re-planning the space with new joinery and loose furniture. The ceiling height is really low so we kept furniture low slung too and fitted wall items like mirrors higher up to give a feeling of more space. The green, neutral and timber tones alongside the indoor planting help create a series of calm, comfortable zones to study and take a break in and we hear students and staff are loving the new look. #university #cafe #interiors #indoorplants #rethink #alotwithalittle #onabudget #refurb
Our Director, David Brown, is buildingSMART certified and now registered to deliver projects in compliance with BIM standard ISO 19650. This Professional Certification course is one of the ways we have evolved our practice for BIM and digital construction projects. #BIM #accreditation #certified #digital #management #quality #standards
We’re very excited to be working with @thomasslondondayschools on their new secondary school site in Richmond. It's a beautiful, Grade II listed Methodist College, built in the 1840s but most recently used by the American University. A transformation will be taking place within these buildings, to turn the site into a place for innovative teaching and learning, ready for September 2025 #listedbuilding #education #architecture #conservation #reimagine #transformation #refurbishment #boarding #college #richmond
The 1875 Sports Centre at Nottingham Girls’ High School had its official opening this week. This project, which has refurbished the two main sports halls, added a fitness and movement studio to the centre and created a new entrance and tranquil courtyard, started life with three key words: Strength. Confidence. Connection. We hope these ring true as students start a new term of sport and movement activities #girlscan #sport #strength #fitness #complete #grandopening #education #architecture #movement
Haberdashers’ Boys’ School opened their Pre-Prep building in January 2023 which was a big milestone for our client who had always been told it would be impossible to build this building here, in Green Belt, within a Listed Park & Garden and next door to a Grade II* Listed Building on the site. With careful stewardship of the design and planning process, possibility blossomed, and the Prep-Prep community are now putting down roots in a brand-new building and have also been able to grow by one form of entry. The single-storey, earth-sheltered, cross-laminated timber structure was sensitively designed to blend the into the surrounding landscape and minimise the impact on views of the nearby Grade II* listed Aldenham House. Sustainability was a key driver for making this all possible and the building impacts the wider environment as lightly as possible too. We had lots of conversations with teachers about how spaces inside and outside needed to echo our concept of ‘learn, nurture, grow,’ and reflect the School’s contemporary pedagogical practices. Please get in touch if you want to know more about implementing these ideas for early years learning. #educationarchitecture #schooldesign #prepschool #clt #earlyyearseducation
@notredamecobham, which has just received full planning permission, will provide a new ‘innovations hub,’ science labs and general classrooms. The landscaped courtyard, at the heart of the scheme, will be a wonderful addition to the wellbeing and social spaces at the School. In contrast to the colours of the building extension, the planting will be in greens and whites for serenity and calm across all the different outside ‘rooms’ that have been designed. We are now busy working on the detailed designs.
Where we are now on site and where we are heading with the Sports Centre refurbishment and extension project at Nottingham Girls’ High School. The foundations have been poured ready for the structural steel frame to be erected.
The new dining room at Wimbledon High School inside what was once the DT teaching building. If we told you this room used to be purple and grey, would you believe us?
The new Learning Resource Centre at Manor Lodge School, completed December 2020, on a blue sky day. Now home to all sorts of stories.
Looking back at the London Oratory School reconfiguration project completed in 2014. We created a four-storey central atrium at the heart of the School from a very underused courtyard & single-storey hall. This project had a challenging brief but our client didn’t shy away from solving the key issues with their existing building even though this meant a construction project at the centre of the School and across all levels. The works were phased to allow the School to remain operational throughout and working closely with client and contractor, we were able to achieve a really transformative project. Create a central heart for the School & make it an intrinsic part of daily School life ✅ Create a wow factor and sense of scale if arriving from anywhere in the School ✅ Put library & learning at the heart of the School & making learning visible ✅ Enclose the central area but keep lots of natural daylight ✅ Create at least 10 new break-out/ office/ seminar/ lecture spaces ✅ Improve circulation & visibility to all classrooms ✅ Create new ICT learning spaces to compliment traditional learning ✅
There are many people needed to build a building. Clients, consultants, specialists, engineers and contractors are all important team members. Leading and working well as part of your team are key skills for Architects and this is something that architectural education will help to hone. (This is Gareth & David collaborating to resolve construction details pre-pandemic)
We’re working with a client on ideas to provide gardens for mindfulness during the learning & working day.
This is the concrete structure emerging at the exciting new science building development, Northwood College. IID Architects are involved with the construction stage of the project and this part of the build is very much a STEAM endeavour including physics, chemistry, art, craft, carpentry and even a bit of weather watching. The design puts part of the building’s structure on display so we’ll be seeing some of this visual concrete inside the completed building.
The students at St Catherine’s School, Bramley @stcatsbramley are now making the new boarding house their home
The main building at Deutsche Schule London has been extended to provide new and improved facilities. Extending a Grade II Listed Building with such a strong and unusual character has presented quite a challenge for the team but this has been sensitively preserved in bringing the accommodation up-to-date. We don’t think you can tell that there is 40 years between the two interventions from the outside but the newly refurbished science labs inside might give it away. A truly unique & interesting building.
The first sign of timber at Manor Lodge School’s new learning resource centre as the internal fit-out gets underway. As well as forming the balustrade to the spiral staircase and balcony, this timber is going to feature on the ceilings too. It means there will always be a warm, natural hue to the space even on a grey day.
Wishing everyone @wimbledonhighschoolgdst a good first day of term today! We’ve fast forwarded to the final stages of the build for the brand new STEAM Tower. The school & project team have worked incredibly hard to reach this point and the spaces are looking warm and bright. Not long now till it’s ready to be put into action; it’s the final countdown.
Reduce, reuse, recycle. Stripped back and ready to be transformed! Work has started at Manor Lodge School where we’re re-using the existing structure of the school hall to create a new learning resource centre. Next image for what’s planned for this old hall.
This extension is nestled alongside St. Andrews Church, Surbiton. Flooded with lovely soft light by day, it shines at night
It’s cold and grey outside at the moment but this mellow yellow helps the new science building facilities at Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls feel sunny whatever the weather.
The glue lam beams have just been installed at the STEM Building St. Helen’s School, Northwood.
We’re standing on the new third floor of the STEAM Tower at Wimbledon High School! The view will be wonderful from the classrooms up here. The very first piece of the framed ‘folded’ roof is now in too.
The number 1 favourite from this year’s show and tell is Villa La Roche from 1925. We Architects are all brought up on examples of how Le Corbusier plays with light and form and this building is a joy to explore even on a grey, rainy day in Paris. (Photo credit JH)
IID’s Spine extension at @rgs_guildford was completed in October, part of the school’s long-term plan to maximise its tight urban footprint
The new recital room at St Helen's School, Northwood is beginning to take shape
Construction of the new Science and STEM Hub at Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls is beginning on site in Elstree
IID has taken its first foray into commercial fitout work with the founder of @redlioncoffeecompany Chris Mckie. The cafe is set within the fabric of a large new build development in New Cross, south east London. The brief was to keep it simple but create a warm atmosphere. The lighting and furniture use basic but robust materials and the floor is ground concrete to expose the black aggregate.
Having previously worked on residential and educational buildings, Stephen has developed a specialist expertise in design for the disabled. He is particularly adept at dealing with complex and demanding large scale projects and working closely with contractors to ensure a comprehensive and timely flow of information. He brings a composed and measured approach and does not let go until every detail is resolved – a marvellously safe pair of hands.
Another talented musician, he plays the clarinet and saxophone, enjoys baking and was also a member of Nottingham City Rowing Club.
Having attended a lecture by one of our Directors, Helen asked to visit the office to find out more about us. She made an amazing impression and was offered a job after spending the day with us. Her many gifts include an incisive mind and a persuasive (see above) and tenacious nature, qualities which are invaluable in so many of our projects.
One of our sportier members of staff, Helen enjoys skiing, tennis and the terrifying game of lacrosse. As well as being a ski-instructor in Canada, she was Lacrosse Captain at Bath and a Lacrosse Counsellor at Tripp Lake Camp, Maine USA – the latter job title supplying the proof, if proof were needed, that lacrosse is not a sport to be undertaken lightly.
Another home-grown Director, Rick has always been interested in the development of the practice’s IT systems and was responsible for championing its move into Revit 3D modelling before the rest of the world and Autodesk caught on.
He has extensive experience in the education sector (state and private) and takes a very methodical and logical approach to resolving the knottiest of design issues. He brings a highly developed technical awareness and keen design eye to the practice and the projects he runs.
Beyond the office, he enjoys classic cars and motorbikes (driving and fixing) and all forms of motorsport. He’s also trying to stay fit with a mixture of swimming, squash, paddle boarding and Ceroc dancing and regularly does a parkrun on a Saturday morning.
David did his first stint with us in 1998 before setting off around the world with his future wife for an extended break. He returned to IID in 2007 after working in the hospital design sector for several years, bringing a wealth of technical and management skills which combine with a very responsive and supportive approach to running projects. His carefully reflective manner and skill at defusing complications or obstacles on site are invaluable.
He has three sons, is sports and cycling mad and a regular visitor to Brentford FC.
After a BA in English at Manchester, Gareth worked in advertising and teaching before retraining as an architect, having initially fought the family trend (father, mother and grandfather were all architects).
Gareth thrives on client collaboration and has experience of a range of school and community projects, often resulting in long-term building development plans. He takes the time to assess all the possibilities open to a client and helps you to rework and refine your ideas to reach the best decision for the school. A broader background in the arts has given him the ability to step back and see the wider picture.
His passion is music, and he enjoys playing in a band when he gets the chance.
David has been involved in IID since he was 15 years old, starting off by producing immaculate models for the practice. He joined IID full time in 2005 having completed his degree in furniture design and has since developed and directed our 3D capability in BIM. This combined with his keen design eye brings a formidable combination to project work.
When time away from his two young daughters allows, he enjoys beating Simon at Fantasy Football.
In addition to her role as Associate at IID, Anna is a tutor at the University of Westminster, assisting graduates in achieving their Part III qualification. This suits her interest in professional practice and law and an ability to communicate clearly and effectively. She takes a holistic approach to her projects and brings careful attention to every single detail, from first concepts through to construction and delivery of the furniture and interior design.
Anna is a keen cyclist and is a passionate gardener, loving all things green. This hobby extends to the IID studio where she cares for our greenery and is often nurturing a propagation project to expand our indoor collection.
Anya completed her BArch and March at the University of Nottingham where she worked as a Design Studio Tutor to first year architecture students. Moving onto a Cambridge architectural practice, she worked on a range of projects including residential, educational, and listed buildings for Cambridge University. She brings a serene thoughtful approach to her work and has taken a particular interest in how buildings are used by IID’s clients and post occupancy evaluations.
Outside work Anya is a karate black belt and has taught children and adults of all ages. She also enjoys life drawing classes.
Following graduation from his MArch Shadi embarked on a course in architectural visualisation which led to privately commissioned work as well as being key to his current role as architectural assistant here. He is keen to bring the latest technical advances to the practice, improving 3D design processes by making them more cost effective and time efficient both for us and our clients. He is adept at mentoring colleagues and sharing his extensive knowledge.
Shadi is also interested in DIY, craft, modelmaking and photography.
Maria brings considerable experience in working on residential and mixed-use developments including many extensions and conversions to existing buildings both in the UK and Greece. Her precise and detailed approach to delicate planning situations led to success in several appeals and she is adept at dealing with statutory authorities.
Maria was a volunteer with the National Theatre of Rhodes Island and helped with the proposals for renovation. She also enjoys architectural and still life drawing.
Sarah has joined us from Edinburgh where she worked predominantly in the residential sector running small scale projects from beginning to end – a baptism of fire for a young architectural assistant. Her Master’s project looked at how to protect Orkney’s Neolithic monuments from the depredations of mass tourism using virtual reality and physical recreation of the sites at sea. It was exhibited at the RSA New Contemporaries in 2020 at the Royal Scottish Academy of Art and Architecture in Edinburgh.
Sarah was a keen member of the Edinburgh Athletics Club, her main event being hammer throwing and competed in the Scottish Women’s Athletic League, National Senior Championships and the Scottish Hammer Grand Prix.
Linda joined us in September 2011 after taking a career break to bring up her children. She previously worked for Shell International undertaking a range of roles in recruitment and marketing.
Linda has travelled widely and is a keen gardener. She is an avid supporter of, and taxi driver for, two extremely talented daughters who excel at cricket and kayaking and compete all over the country. Her role with IID is Practice Administrator and PA to the Directors.
Kate is the Practice manager at IID Architects and is instrumental in assisting with the administration side of the practice.
She studied shoe design and millinery at Cordwainers College. On graduating, she worked in the contemporary contract furniture field, selecting and specifying products and assisting on the project management and installation side of the business. Kate now spends her time between two practices and joined IID Architects in March 2024.
Outside the office Kate enjoys museum visits and scouring vintage markets for mid-century treasures.
Susan joined IID in October 2012, overlapping with her predecessor before taking over as our Financial Manager in January 2013. Her previous training and experience as a Ward Sister and Outpatient Department Manager in the NHS were perhaps an unlikely background for a financial role, but she has proven an impeccable organiser and manager of our cash flow.
Alongside bringing up her two girls, she is a talented violin and viola player and performs regularly with the Kingston Chamber Orchestra. She also paints with a local art group, has taken up Ceroc dancing and loves driving classic cars and scouring antiques fairs for hidden gems.
Nick has amassed a significant range of project experience in state and private sectors and remains calm and considered amid busy complex projects. He can step back from the daily buzz and keep an eye on how everything will fit together, resulting in spaces that feel effortless and full of flow. He makes sure the right questions are asked at the right time and will pull together reams of information into a coherent set of client instructions.
In his spare time, and when his two boys allow, he enjoys photography and cycling and can occasionally fit in a stage of the Tour de France.
Bethany is an experienced Architect who trained at Northumbria University and Umeå School of Architecture, Sweden and joined IID in Fenruary 2024.
She brings a calm and considered approach to her work which is appreciated by her colleagues and clients. Her interests lie in social inclusion and helping the next generation of architects find their feet in the profession.
Kate is the Practice manager at IID Architects and is instrumental in assisting with the administration side of the practice.
She studied shoe design and millinery at Cordwainers College. On graduating, she worked in the contemporary contract furniture field, selecting and specifying products and assisting on the project management and installation side of the business. Kate now spends her time between two practices and joined IID Architects in March 2024.
Outside the office Kate enjoys museum visits and scouring vintage markets for mid-century treasures.
Ben is a very capable architectural designer who trained in architecture and environmental engineering at University of the West of England.
He has a wonderfully refreshing approach to work, bringing a level of energy and scrutiny which benefits those he works with. He is also very practical and has an innate understanding of how things fit together and an advanced grasp of scale and proportion which is vital to so much of what we do.
Charlie is a natural designer who seems to have architecture in his DNA, he trained in New Zealand and joined IID in February 2024.
He develops his thinking through sketches and is able to consider design problems from all angles, ensuring his work is technically achievable and aesthetically beautiful.
