Our Team, Native Architects

Director

Sally qualified as an architect in 1980 and has worked in primarily in the UK. She is an RIBA Conservation Accredited Architect and was a Research Fellow at The University of  York, from 1992 – 1997 developing studies on the performance of buildings and their affect on occupant productivity.  Sally has contributed to the Conservation Studies Masters Course in the Department of Archaeology at York University on the conservation of heritage and sustainability issues. In addition to her historic buildings expertise Sally has led the practice to achieve an exemplary standard in the design and construction of award winning, environmentally sustainable buildings that respect their context. 

Director

After qualifying as an architect in 1991 and joining the RIBA in 1994, Chris has worked primarily in private practice on a wide range of residential, commercial, leisure and heritage projects. With a track record of successful regeneration projects Chris works with several notable country landowner estates throughout the region on projects that generate employment and support the rural economy and natural environment. Chris is committed to designing and building in low embodied energy materials that can be locally sourced where possible. He brings considerable practical knowledge and experience of delivering building projects and his philosophy for aspiring architects is “learn by doing”.

Architect

Lucy is a RIBA Chartered Architect with over 10 years experience in practice. Her experience covers a range of sectors including education, housing and commercial with projects from small scale extensions to multi million pound new builds. She always strives to find exciting opportunities within projects and bring added value to her clients through innovative design ideas and a holistic approach to the wider parameters of a brief. From her earliest days, Lucy has nurtured a strong interest in environmentally conscious design through the specification of materials and passive design techniques to minimise the energy demand of her building design and their environmental footprint. Supporting others or leading a collaborative design team, Lucy is a resourceful problems solver who thrives on interesting design challenges with an environmental focus.

Practice Administrator

Louise joined Native in 2009 as Practice Administrator and brings with her many years of experience in office accounting, administration and organisational skills.

With a very keen interest in our building heritage in Britain Louise observes working for Native both extremely interesting and inspiring.

Louise will often be the first person you talk to when you call the office with your enquiry and you will find her calm, attentive and welcoming and ready to answer your general questions or direct you to one of the architectural or technological team members.

John has been studying and working in design since 2006, and became a qualified architect in 2018. John’s main body of work is in home extensions, and has been involved on site in 25+ unique construction projects and 125+ planning applications. John takes delight in studying sustainable design and construction and likes to apply this in his work in innovative ways.

Hanna completed her BA (Hons) in Architecture at the University of Sheffield and started working for Native straight after that. Hanna has always considered digital designing software incredibly helpful especially if it comes to the presentation of a final product, but likes to start her designs with simpler tools. Most of her work usually finds its beginnings in sketches ideas and showing project development. Her mains areas of interest within architecture focus on refurbishment and sustainable development.

Architectural Assistant

Michael joined Native in 2022 and is a qualified architect in his native country of the United States in the state of California. He graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor’s in Architecture and spent over 13 years in the profession before attending the University of York to further explore his interests in built heritage.

After obtaining his Masters in Conservation of Historic Buildings he decided to stay and make the North of England and York his home, eager to contribute to the management of the heritage and character of the area.

Michael’s experience in architecture has covered multiple sectors including aviation, retail, commercial and historic structures. Whilst he has a great interest in historic buildings Michael is a proponent of all types of architecture and contemporary development.  He enjoys collaborating with clients to make sure they are a part of the design process and their developments not only achieve success on their own but also become successfully stitched into the surrounding fabric of their communities.

Claire-Louise joined Native in 2022 and brings with her over 15 years of experience in design and architecture. She is currently completing her Masters in Architectural Technology and looks forward to applying the added knowledge and skills to her work.

Her experience covers many sectors including education, retail, commercial and residential schemes. She worked on the ‘greenest building in Sheffield’ at time of completion and has completed several projects on listed buildings and in conservation areas.

Claire-Louise always endeavours to deliver innovative solutions to clients’ projects with a focus on reducing their environmental impact. Her Scandinavian upbringing has fostered an interest in natural materials evolving into a passion for finding environmentally sustainable solutions for refurbishment and new build projects aligned with Native Architects’ ethos.

Emma has over 30 years’ experience in business administration, HR, events management and marketing. She runs her own consultancy business and manages the marketing and communications work for Native Architects.

Emma and has a keen interest in environmental conservation, sustainability, design and energy efficiency.  She finds it a joy to work with and represent Native Architects whose ethos and approach aligns with her own beliefs and interests.

Naomi joined Native in 2023 after completing her BA in Architecture at the University of Sheffield in 2022. Her architectural education has had a consistent focus on the environmental impacts of design and how to minimise buildings’ operational and embodied carbon which has led to an interest in the use of natural materials.

Naomi is also interested in the social aspect of architecture. She is passionate about designing accessible spaces, which create positive experiences for people and are sensitive to their wider social contexts.

Eve is currently studying Interior Architecture at Northumbria University, which primarily focuses on retrofit and sensitive renovation on listed buildings.

After 6 months studying Architectural Technology and Construction Management in Denmark, Eve is undertaking a placement here at Native before going back to university for the final year of her degree.

She is passionate about historical conservation and finding sustainable solutions to create healthy environments. While in Denmark she took a keen interest in the popular Danish methodologies of prefabricated structures and circular design.

Eve is looking forward to the further exploration of sustainable technologies and natural materials as part of the team.