We build community through design.

Sue has worked with plants and people for over 20 years. In a previous role as Head of Gardens at Global Generation, she helped shape a new narrative around a more sustainable and holistic horticultural approach, focusing on developing healthy ecological systems in challenging urban sites. She was a founding member of Glengall Wharf Garden, a large permaculture site and community garden in Peckham and continues to advise communities and groups, supporting them in developing rich ecological and productive sites that support people and wildlife.

As a Project Assistant, Michael is applying his experience of innovative construction methods to the Meanwhile projects at the Carpenter’s estate, including the conversion of a static train carriage into a temporary café.

He brings to the studio a wealth of knowledge on local bio-materials having worked primarily on existing buildings in Scottish rural contexts. Michael is often distracted designing furniture, making exhibitions, drawing and writing. His drawings have been exhibited at the RIBA and the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize. His writing has been published by Drawing Matter.

Alongside practice, Michael is a lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, where he teaches the Animation module.

After completing her BSc in Architecture at Bath, she graduated with a first class degree at the University of Edinburgh, where her final thesis was awarded the Schinkel Prize for Architecture and the Hans-Joachim Pysall Foundation travel grant to Italy. Her work is deeply rooted in the threads that connect our urban environment to circularity and intersectional sustainability, with an attentive focus on the tiny details that make a big difference.

At JKA, Sue Yen is working on a place plan for Ramsgate and proposals for affordable workspaces, libraries, and community spaces in London.

Alastair completed his BArch degree with first class honours at Oxford Brookes, where he was also nominated for a RIBA Bronze Medal. He went on to receive his MArch at the Bartlett, where he was also awarded the Design Realisation Innovation prize, and his works was featured in the Blueprint for the Future awards and exhibition. During his final year he solidified an approach to architecture which focuses on the intangible social and political qualities in the built environment that are an intrinsic component within the design process.

Before joining JKA, Alastair ,worked at Metropolitan Workshop and We Made That on public-facing and residential projects, as well as large scale masterplans including for the Carpenters Estate in Stratford. During his time on this project Alastair implemented his passion for storytelling through drawing by hosting sketching workshops and consultation events with local residents.

He studied at the Bartlett, where he was awarded a Distinction for his PG Diploma and a Commendation for his Masters. His PhD was twice nominated for a RIBA research Award. Jan’s book, The Architecture Chronicle: Diary of an Architectural Practice was published by Ashgate in 2014. Jan teaches and lectures in the UK and internationally. He also holds a lectureship at UCL, is a member of the Institute of Place Management and the Harlow + Gilston Garden Town quality review panel.

Before setting up his own studio, Jan worked on urban regeneration projects at Jestico and Whiles and Peter Barber Architects. He grew the business from sole practitioner to a reputable and multiple award-winning regeneration practice.

Today, responsibility for the day to day management of the studio is shared between the four directors. Aside from his strategic role, Jan writes, draws and makes. He is also often involved in participatory design activities.

He completed his BArch degree at the University of Nottingham with first class honours. He was awarded the degree prize for his portfolio, and was part of the construction team for the UK’s first entry to the European Solar Decathlon. He completed his MArch at the Bartlett with distinction in both his design work and thesis.

Gareth has previously worked for WCEC Architects in Sheffield and Vision Ltd in Tianjin, China, where he worked on ambitious strategies to reshape a fishing harbour in Sha Po Wei, to factory and mining districts in brownfield areas of Tianjin and Jixan. Together with Felicity, Gareth leads an undergraduate design studio at Oxford Brookes University.

Gareth joined JKA in 2012 where he has since delivered award winning town centre regeneration in Leytonstone, Westminster and Morden, a temporary high street in South London and planning guidance for Hackney Council and RB Greenwich. As director of design, he is responsible for internal design quality management across all our projects.

As a Project Assistant, Rosie uses her enthusiasm for collaborating with stakeholders to deliver community-driven, sustainable and considered designs. She is currently overseeing the delivery of a high street regeneration project for Westminster City council and working on the comprehensive refurbishment of an Art Deco shopping arcade in Romford.

Rosie brings several years’ experience at a leading residentially focused practice, where she worked on large-scale estate regeneration projects, mixed-use masterplans and smaller scale local authority initiatives.

Alongside practice, Rosie teaches on the Master’s programme at Manchester School of Architecture, where her studio integrates performance and artistic practices to explore community building and socially conscious design. Her research and interest in these areas informs her teaching, encouraging students to address the social and environmental challenges of architecture with creativity. She is also a visiting lecturer on the foundation course at the Architectural Association.

She has previously worked at East on TFL’s Streetscape Guidance, aiming to streamline urban design policies across London and led the Pride in Derwent Parade Project, an ambitious town centre regeneration project in the Thames estuary. At Antarchitecture she designed for Habitat and Fitness First, and at Gregory Phillips Architects she designed the premises of a post production company in Soho.

Chrysanthe has held teaching roles in architecture and interior architecture at the University of Wesminster, the University of Greenwich and has led short courses at the Bartlett and the Architectural Association.

She is responsible for building and maintaining the studio’s partnerships. She also manages our finances and ensures that we comply with the obligations of our ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accreditation.

Gabriel has led high street regeneration programmes for Waltham Forest and Croydon, enabled community-led design for play and public space for Peabody and realised ground-breaking affordable workspaces for Haringey and Westminster, including the award-winning Blue House Yard.

Gabriel completed his degree at the Bartlett with first class honours and obtained his MArch with distinction, and is a registered architect. He has previously worked for Barkow Leibinger and Bundschuh Baumhauer Architekten in Berlin and Edgley Design in London.

Since 2017, Gabriel has taught at the Bartlett School of Architecture. He is also a founding associate of design collective STORE, running an international educational programme aimed at broadening access to creative professions for young people.

As director of projects, Gabriel is responsible for organising how we deliver projects. He manages resource allocations and design teams ensuring that each project benefits from the right expertise.

In her role as Project Assistant, Jasmin has used her extensive experience of collaborative engagement and co-design processes to develop informed strategies for regeneration of a Barnet high-street with local traders and proposals for a cycle hub in Hackney. She is currently working on the delivery of a bespoke sign for Chalton Street that will signpost the streets unique business.

Having worked for the past 5 years in both private and public sector design teams in London, playing a leading role on award winning social value projects, Jasmin’s experience spans multiple scales – from civic and cultural projects, to masterplanning and strategic policy.

Jasmin has also held roles with the Architecture Foundation, as Co-Chair to the Young Trustees and Built By Us, as a member of their Learning & Development Steering Group. She is also a frequent collaborator with Open City Accelerate and has written for field: journal and Afterparti zine.