Simon is co-founder of StudioSDA and Managing Director. He is a MCIAT Chartered architectural design consultant who drives the design studio, inventing and overseeing the creation of all projects for both private and commercial clients. With his unique approach to designing a project, Simon is always looking for the best possible layout and use of space and light, as well as seeking to create the uniqueness that is the hallmark of an StudioSDA project.
As a chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologist, Simon’s strengths are in the expertise surrounding the design and technology of architecture. His expert understanding allows StudioSDA to push the boundaries of their architecture under the extensive knowledge of design technologies. This specialism allows StudioSDA to think outside the realms of normal design limitations and produce architectural designs of exceptional quality using the most cutting edge technologies.
Simon has a passion for green belt and safeguarded land developments due to their complexities regarding exceptional sustainable design and planning law. His belief is that StudioSDA Architecture truly comes to the forefront of architecture when challenged with the toughest and seemingly impossible scenarios.
Katie is a co-founder and Director of Studio SDA | Architects. After completing her degree she worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers in Manchester and qualified as a chartered ACA accountant before joining StudioSDA. The finance, organisation and management skills developed during her time at PwC have proved invaluable for StudioSDA and its clients.
Since joining StudioSDA Katie has turned her attention to planning consultancy and as a member of Town & Country Planning Association (TCPA), her ability to delve into the detail of planning policy has been instrumental on a number of high-profile and challenging projects.
Katie is passionate about Green Belt, her belief is that Green Belt should be protected but not necessarily undeveloped, there is a great deal of merit in allowing sympathetic and exceptionally well designed architecture the chance to sit within a green belt setting. As a result Katie has gained great recognition for working on a large number of exciting and successful green belt and safeguarded land projects that have faced stiff opposition and have required an abundance of ‘out of the box’ thinking to gain approval. Katie is also responsible for the PR and Business Development of the company.
She is driven to let everyone know how exceptional the designers at StudioSDA are, what obstacles they have been able to overcome and exactly what it is that differentiate StudioSDA from its peers.
Simon is a deep thinker; as most creatives are, always thinking about client concepts and project details. With over a decade of architectural design expertise Simon has a strong understanding of all areas of architecture. His career has gained him valuable experience in exquisite private residences, luxury apartments and mill conversions; including flag ship developments such as the Victoria Mill World Heritage site. Simon also has vast experience in the hotel and hospitality sectors whilst working as an integral part of the DeVere rebranding that included working on prestigious estates such as DeVere Cameron House in Loch Lomond, Scotland, Mottram Hall, Cheshire & DeVere village concepts.
Since founding StudioSDA, Simon has always had a passion for designing exquisite bespoke properties working directly for individual clients on private commissions. Simons creative ability and expertise in design have gained industry recognition as a frequent member of the 'Ask the Expert' at both the Grand Designs live and Home Building and Renovation roadshows.
Simon has won many architectural awards and has recently received awards from prestigious awarding bodies such as the Northern Design Awards and LABC Design Excellence Awards.
Katie feels passionate about how Studio SDA | Architects delivers outstanding consistent service, analysing the processes of working with clients to create unique, thought provoking architectural experiences that deliver a fully interactive and informative client understanding for their desired project. For Katie, architecture is a journey, an adventure and StudioSDA are simply in control of steering the ship. Katie eats, sleeps and breathes professionalism and she feels this is one of the keys to StudioSDA's successes. These core professional values and Katie's expertise and experience working within the Corporate world cements why professionalism and customer experience is at the forefront of Katie's passion and what drives Katie in ensuring StudioSDA consistently performs to the highest standards for their clients.
Katie's personal passion within architecture is for new bespoke rural homes set within the green belt, this is where Katie feels StudioSDA's architectural expertise and creative design flare can be fully utilised and realised. What makes an StudioSDA project - "that's simple - we listen, we understand and we deliver so much more than is expected."
StudioSDA feels strongly that good architecture has the ability to enhance people’s lives through the spaces they live and work in.