Practice

Based in Edinburgh and Inverness, LDN Architects is a limited liability partnership of six equal partners supported by a talented and creative team who believe in the transformative potential of excellent design. The partners are hands-on and lead each project from inception to completion.

We work with a wide variety of clients including public bodies, private sector organisations, charitable trusts, community groups and private individuals.

Approach

Our buildings are characterised by a sense of appropriateness and integrity in the belief that architecture should transcend its function and be truly inspirational and transformational.

We begin each project by listening and asking questions in the belief that the most successful design solutions are founded in a disciplined analysis of each client’s needs and aspirations. Only then do we begin developing design ideas in response to these needs and aspirations. In this way, design solutions are developed that are seen to be the right solution in each instance.

A holistic approach to the environment is at the heart of our design process and we achieve this through developing design solutions that minimise pollution, waste and resource depletion and take a long-term view.

The successful delivery of complex projects is not always easy but we believe in a fully professional, team-based, problem-solving approach with the client’s best interests at its heart. Our management philosophy is to promote the highest levels of excellence in all aspects of our activities and to encourage an active collaboration with all members of the project team – including contractors – in an open, inclusive and positive manner. We engage the whole team in considering cost and value, establishing a control culture early in a project’s development to set realistic budgets and achievable quality standards. Teamwork is the key to the successful delivery of each project.

LDN Architects operates a Quality Management System that is certified to ISO 9001 : 2015.

LDN Office All Staff Photo MM

Team

Most of our team have worked with LDN long term and many are recognised for their specialist expertise in aspects of architectural design and delivery including conservation, education, performing arts, sustainable design, and BIM. All are encouraged to deliver to the best of their abilities and to develop all aspects of their professional skills both within and outside LDN.

Our Bread Street studio, designed by us, was developed from the shell of a redundant warehouse and is considered to be one of the greenest office developments in Edinburgh. Its open plan encourages teamwork and good communications and is an inspiring place in which to work creatively. In Inverness we are lucky enough to work our recently completed project for Scottish Canals, in the Carse Hub. We remain well placed to deliver projects throughout the Highlands and Islands.

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Ángel Morales-Aguilar

Ángel Morales-Aguilar

Partner
 
Emma Rose Berry

Emma Rose Berry

Partner
 
Martin Berry

Martin Berry

Architect
 
Hayley Brownlie

Hayley Brownlie

Financial Controller
 
Louisa Butler

Louisa Butler

Architect
 
Chloe Burdekin

Chloe Burdekin

Part II Architectural Assistant
 
Ross Crichton

Ross Crichton

Associate
 
Mhairi Dickie

Mhairi Dickie

Part I Architectural Assistant
 
Connor Downie

Connor Downie

Part II Architectural Assistant
 
Ian Fraser

Ian Fraser

Associate
 
Jeanita Gambier

Jeanita Gambier

Part I Architectural Assistant
 
Kristi Greer

Kristi Greer

Architect
 
Yeldar Gul

Yeldar Gul

Part I Architectural Assistant
 
Melisa Hamzaoglu

Melisa Hamzaoglu

Part I Architectural Assistant
 
Claire Hayes

Claire Hayes

Architect
 
Hannah Hopton

Hannah Hopton

Administrative Assistant
 
Mark Hopton

Mark Hopton

Partner
 
Isabella Howey

Isabella Howey

Digital Content & Bid Coordinator
 
Fiona MacDonald

Fiona MacDonald

Associate
 
Stuart MacKellar

Stuart MacKellar

Partner
 
Matt MacKinnon

Matt MacKinnon

Associate Partner
 
Ross MacTaggart

Ross MacTaggart

Architectural Technologist
 
Phil Mansfield

Phil Mansfield

Architect
 
Finlay McCallum

Finlay McCallum

Part 1 Architectural Assistant
 
Fraser McCulloch

Fraser McCulloch

Architectural Technologist
 
Rory More

Rory More

Part II Architectural Assistant
 
Pinny Muir

Pinny Muir

Partner
 
Calum Paterson

Calum Paterson

Associate
 
Dermot Patterson

Dermot Patterson

Partner
 
Alex Pearson

Alex Pearson

Associate
 
Gordon Pyper

Gordon Pyper

Associate
 
Karolina Przynarowska

Karolina Przynarowska

Part 2 Architectural Assistant
 
Kyle Scott

Kyle Scott

Architect
 
Bill Simpson

Bill Simpson

Architect
 
Gregor Stewart

Gregor Stewart

Associate
 
Marc Stewart

Marc Stewart

Part II Architectural Assistant
 
Iain Thomson

Iain Thomson

Senior Designer
 
Sophie Lewis-Ward

Sophie Lewis-Ward

Part II Architectural Assistant
 
Christine Work

Christine Work

Administrative Secretary
 
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History

LDN Architects was established in Edinburgh as Law & Dunbar-Nasmith Architects on 1 April 1957 by Graham Law and James Dunbar-Nasmith, former employees of Robert Matthew. The practice expanded and opened a second office in Forres in 1975 and in the 1980s it became The Law & Dunbar-Nasmith Partnership. In the early 1990s the practice expanded again and opened an office in Germany; Hilger, Law & Dunbar-Nasmith. The German office was closed in the late 1990s and in 2003, after the retiral of Sir James Dunbar-Nasmith, the practice was renamed LDN Architects, a name which acknowledges our origins and history and reflects our evolution into a much broader partnership since then.

In its early years the practice gained a reputation for the design of modernist housing including the Ochlochy housing estate in Dunblane and the private Leuchie House and Upper Exbury which ultimately led to the commission to design Sunninghill Park for the Duke and Duchess of York in the 1980s. During this period, the practice was also responsible for the design of the landmark Hepworth and Epstein exhibitions for the Edinburgh International Festival.

During the 1970s the practice was responsible for the design of the seminal Eden Court and Pitlochry Festival Theatres and, in the 1990s, the design of the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, a project which firmly established LDN’s reputation for meticulous conservation complemented by creative contemporary design. The Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock is our latest building for the performing arts and maintains our exemplary reputation in this area.

Throughout its history the practice has also been at the forefront of the conservation movement, responsible for major projects including the restoration of Fort George in the 1980s, Newhailes in the 1990s and, most recently, Abbotsford and the Piece Hall.

In the 2000s our expertise has expanded to include a number of award-winning education projects for schools and universities, usually involving the revitalisation of historic buildings which were considered no longer fit for purpose.

The practice has always nurtured talent from within its staff and is currently led by seven equal partners supported by a skilled and creative team who all believe in the transformative potential of excellent design.

Selected Awards


Careers

LDN is always interested in hearing from talented people who share our commitment to architectural quality and who are keen to work with us on challenging projects. We aim to offer excellent work experience in a supportive, hard-working environment that values both individual skill and shared responsibility.

If you are interested in working with us, please write to Ángel Morales-Aguilar in Edinburgh or Stuart MacKellar in Inverness with a CV and some illustrations of your work.

 We are currently recruiting for our Inverness office. Please see the journal section of our website for more information.

LDN is an Equal Opportunities employer.

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