Helen Needham
Head of Architecture. RIBA Architect
Profile
As Head of Architecture, I manage our In-House and Regional Architectural Design team. We have a fantastic range of skill sets and lovely personalities, and together we offer a strong Architectural service, facilitating some incredible designs from Design and Planning, through to Building Regulations and Technical Detailing. I work closely with many departments within Oakwrights, and in particular our Sales team, from carrying out initial client and site visits – listening to and understanding our client’s needs and dreams, considering and advising on planning policy and strategy, and delivering concept design ideas, offering our Architectural services.
What do you love most about your job?
I love to meet our clients and see their projects develop – each client and site is unique, and as we have never built the same house twice, each Oakwrights design is bespoke, carefully crafted using thought from making the first drawing line on paper to scribing the carpenter’s marks into the oak! We have a unique product – one that has been tried and tested and pushes boundaries using a stunning natural material, offering style and versatility from traditional to contemporary aesthetics, yet all appearing timeless in character, and that creates quality Architecture. I enjoy leading, coaching, and mentoring our Architectural team members and seeing them grow. The company values drive the Oakwrights ethos, and it is fantastic to work with my fellow colleagues who are passionate about our products and being leaders in the oak-framing industry. We are a work family, working together with the same goal and focus to create homes of Architectural beauty, that will last and be enjoyed for many generations to come.
What is your favourite oak frame project?
I have had the privilege of working on hundreds of Oakwrights projects at various stages since 2015. I run the In-House Architectural team as a collaborative design force, which allows a strong concept to begin, and this naturally evolves as we get to know the Client and site more as we work together. We have some fantastic Architectural designers and experience and it’s so exciting to listen to new ideas and see how we can shape a building wonderfully, exceeding a client’s expectations. I particularly enjoy considering the local vernacular and site, the light, orientation, views, materials, texture and form to create a design, making each tailored to their setting, and seeing the clients bring their own personality to the design ‘melting pot’ is always a pleasure too. The lovely thing is the variety of wonderful briefs we get – we may be working on a modest 100sqm 2-bedroomed cabin set in a woodland, to a 250sqm family home in a coastal town, or a 500sqm home on a rural lakeside – all are attended to carefully – no two days are ever the same, and that is so exciting! We are proud to create dream homes, and that’s an incredibly special thing to be part of!
Mariyana Hartland
Chartered Architectural Technologist
I design bespoke oak frame houses and help clients through the planning process.
Meeting with clients, listening to their brief and designing their homes – I feel privileged to be working with each one of our clients and to create their dream homes.
I’ve been working at Oakwrights for 15 years and it would be unfair to say I’ve got a favourite project. I love the variety of every design, no two houses we create are the same, yet so beautiful and unique
Jakki Cunningham
Architectural Designer
I design the oak-framed homes that our clients have been dreaming of. Each location is as individual as the client we build for and each home has a distinctive character to match their unique lifestyle. During the design journey I work closely with many of the departments within Oakwrights to ensure that we work together to achieve the best possible build for our clients.
Meeting our clients. I take great pleasure in understanding our clients and developing their ideas and plans for the future and making the journey through the planning process a stress-free one.
I have worked at Oakwrights since 2007 so I feel lucky to have seen so many beautiful homes come to fruition. My personal favourites are homes that are designed around a laid-back lifestyle with beautiful, understated spaces. I adore a house with a veranda! Where you can string up a hammock and read a book. Or multi-functional indoor/outdoor spaces that take advantage of natural light and weather conditions, where you can feel outside even when your inside!
Mujtaba Affan
As an Architectural Designer, I design dream homes for clients working as one of the initial points of contact, understanding and developing design briefs into built forms. My major role is inclined towards the planning department, managing and producing drawings for planning applications and closely working with other team members in the business to better understand the flow of work and deliver the best to our clients.
I enjoy meeting the clients and understanding their inputs, which gives a design direction to follow and be able to create their dream home as per their wish list. Striving towards utmost client satisfaction is the most exciting part of my job. Also, collaborating with various departments and witnessing the different stages involved in a building project has been my keen interest. Each day is a new learning experience at Oakwrights and I am immensely delighted to be contributing towards their vision.
Each Oakwrights house is so different and each possesses its own individuality, so choosing one would be a difficult task, though I am amazed by the Passivhaus built by Oakwrights in Worcestershire. It was one of the first oak frame passive houses in the UK and I could be bias, as I’ve pursued my masters in ‘Sustainable Architecture’ majoring in ‘Passivhaus and Net Zero Building Design’, but I really admire Oakwrights values towards sustainability.
Dan Reeves
RIBA Part I Architectural Assistant
Simon May
I joined Oakwrights as a member of the Academy, gaining practical experience to help support my design experience. I spent two years within the machine shop and encapsulation workshops and then went on to work within the Estimating department, gaining concept design and pricing experience. I eventually moved to the Architecture department in September 2022.
I enjoy being able to see a project from early concept, through the design process, to the manufacture and construction.
A difficult question! I enjoy projects which offer a high level of contextual detail for me to work with and generate a highly detailed model from. My favourite Projects are those that have a habitable specification as they offer an interesting level of complexity.
Harry Eamer
Senior Architectural Technologist
I’m a Senior Architectural Technologist. I’ve worked on a number of great projects but have focused heavily on the residential development process. I have lots of experience in multi units, self-build and traditional contract developments. Oakwrights provide a fantastic insight into the self-build market and opened my eyes to traditional design with modern standards.
I love the continuous variety of the projects. Every job is different, whether it’s the client interaction, the overall design or that tricky little detail that needs special attention. This diversity keeps me really excited about the projects. I also think this joy for the project helps me provide the best possible experience for our clients.
I’ve been working on the Averys’ project for about two years and I’m still really enjoying it. The pure scale of the building is breathtaking. Add in the complexities of a basement and I think it ticks all the boxes of a project I will never forget, nor want to. From dimensions to its details, this really is a home to be in awe of.
Dave Gough
Architectural Technologist
When the Client’s building concept is finalised with our designers and planning approval is obtained, the design philosophy transitions to address the many legislative, technical, and practical challenges of delivering the Client’s vision. The core element of this compliance lies with Building Control approval to ensure that all new Oakwrights homes are going to be safe, efficient and healthy to live in. My primary role is to focus on delivering all the necessary information to obtain these approvals.
I typically enjoy focusing on technical aspects of projects – particularly in developing innovative solutions to overcoming unique technical challenges to obtain Building Regulations compliance.
I don’t have a favourite oak frame project however I’m always greatly impressed by what some of our Clients have achieved with relatively modest resources. These can range from difficult site constraints, challenging planning conditions or a limited budget – sometimes even all three and more! Experience of living and working in the Middle East for several years has somewhat subdued my attraction to excess and opulence in favour of greater awareness and responsibility in the utilisation of resources. Consequently, relatively compact, well-considered, high-performance homes that are comfortable to live in and cost-effective to run over their entire life cycles are the ones that I admire most. There are 1 or 2 excellent examples located on the Webbs Meadow development which even have a natural stream running through their gardens! They offer safe, tranquil, secure, accessible, and aesthetically pleasing homes.
Sam Grew
Architectural Technician
I produce building regulation drawings to ensure oakwright’s bespoke projects meet and exceed the requirements for building regulation standards.
I really enjoy detailing and problem-solving for bespoke projects. As our projects are all bespoke they all require unique solutions. I also love communicating with other teams in the business. We have a brilliant collective of individuals, so I really enjoy drawing on them for their input and expertise.
One of my favourites is the Passivhaus Bed & Breakfast in Worcestershire which was the first oak-framed passivhaus in the Country. The design combines both technical design, and traditional oak frame aesthetics with the future of sustainable energy-saving buildings.
Jack Feighan
RIBA Part II MArch (Hons) Architectural Assistant
In-house
Darren Blackwell
Regional Architectural Designer
Regional
I have been undertaking design and planning work for Oakwrights clients since 2002, concentrating on the South East region of the country.
Since I started working with Oakwrights 20 years ago the pleasure of working with a company with so much passion and enthusiasm still exists to this day. It is still very much a team effort and the clients really do feel part of the team.
I cannot say that one particular project stands out. I have been so fortunate to work with so many wonderful clients and to see their dream realised is so rewarding. It is often the case that I first meet such clients at one of Oakwrights many open days. They are at the beginning of their self-build journey and the owners of the Oakwrights home are sharing their experience and offering sound advice to them. Experience tells me that, in the not too distant future they too will be opening their doors to new self-builders who have joined the Oakwrights community.
John Williams
I’ve been a Regional Architectural Designer, working with Oakwrights for over twenty years! After completing an architectural degree at Cambridge, and time working in building restoration, I expanded my skills by gaining an HND in furniture and cabinet making. A love of wood has been at the centre of my work, and life! I own a patch of ancient oak woodland in Herefordshire and have been lucky enough to build a ‘cruck’ barn within it, from timber extracted on site. I know first hand how exciting a self-build can be, and enjoy sharing in that process with the Oakwrights clients I’ve had the privilege to design houses for.
I love developing a design for clients that not only fulfils their brief in a practical way, but also achieves an element of ‘delight’ in each space, making each part of the house a pleasure to be in. This of course includes giving the oak-frame a central role!
One of my favourites is a holiday accommodation in Herefordshire that I had the privilege of working on. There is certainly something extra special about a building you’ve designed and then physically constructed yourself! I’ve been so fortunate to work on so many amazing projects alongside Oakwrights. The ones in seaside locations certainly stand out – Peter and Jan’s house in North Wales being one such.
Pete Tonks
I have been a member of the Oakwrights design team since 2004 (nearly 20 years!!) as a Regional Architectural Designer. My main projects are located in East Anglia, Beds, Bucks, Northants, Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk but I can design anywhere. I often get asked about what I enjoy most about my job. I do not have a job. I have a passion for design which is integral to my existence and I just love sharing that with my clients.
I absolutely love meeting new clients, each of whom will have a story to tell. I relish the thought of a blank canvas and having the opportunity to manifest my client’s dreams into lines on paper which ultimately become beautifully crafted oak framed homes for them to enjoy with their family and friends.
I cannot single out any one project which would be my favourite but if pushed: Favourite most recent project would be Steve and Susanne Clarke because once again, I was lucky enough to find great clients with a great site and PJT Custom Build was awarded the building contract.
Derrick Whittaker
Regional RIBA Chartered Architect
I have been part of the Oakwrights Architectural design team since 2004, assisting the team at many stages of the Architectural Design process, including formulating the design brief, feasibility, and concept and detail design, as well as Planning and Building Regulation applications.
I really love the creativity that goes into designing each and every home and that I get to be part of a legacy as the homes are admired for years to come.
Craig Thomson
I joined the Oakwrights Architectural Design Team in 2014, as part of the Oakwrights Scottish division alongside my colleague Andrew. Based in Ayrshire, South of Glasgow, I have nearly 40 years of experience in architecture.
Andrew Hunter
Regional RIBA and RIAS Chartered Architect
I joined the Oakwrights Architectural Design Team in 2014, as part of the Oakwrights Scottish division alongside my colleague Craig. Based in Ayrshire, South of Glasgow, I have 19 year of experience working in practice.
Greville Thomas
I work as part of the Oakwrights team providing the more detailed building regulation drawings, after planning approval has been gained. Guiding our clients through this often complicated process. As part of this service, I assist clients with the more technical details in relation to signing off the Oak frame. I have been working with Oakwrights since I first joined the Oakland Vale team in 2007.
Getting the chance to be part of the friendly team that work on beautiful oak framed homes. I also particularly enjoy it when I get the chance to visit the completed project, particularly when it is one where I have been involved from the conceptual stages, right through to completion.
It is difficult to choose just one. I have worked on a variety of projects, these include a number of oak framed dwellings of various sizes and styles, oak framed extensions of various sizes, and a number of dwellings with indoor swimming pools. One project that does stand out was The Waitrose Farmshop, the café part of this being particularly successful. I was pleased to be able to revisit, after completion and enjoy lunch with my family, under the oak pergola on a warm August day.
Craig Alexander
Lucy Langner
Architectural Design Office Coordinator
My role is to support and organise the architectural design team.
I’m fairly new to the company and the role, but from day one I was made to feel so welcome. Quite simply, I love houses, so working at Oakwrights is a dream job for me.It’s amazing to be involved in the process of designing and building a bespoke oak frame house for a client and so massively exciting.
I love looking through all the different buildings and homes that have been designed and built by Oakwrights. Everything that we build is beautiful – even our offices are filled with oak and fabulous, especially the meeting room. A local chapel that we designed and erected is pretty cool and as it’s a chapel, it seems even more special.
Alex Knowles
Design Manager
As design team manager, my main goal is to oversee the activities and productivity of the design team. Keeping operations flowing by ensuring the design team carry out their day-to-day roles, responsibilities and task at the very best level. Leading to a good team morale and achieving goals and targets set by the board. Bringing through new developments and keeping the team training to an excellent standard. I report the team’s monthly targets to the board whilst working closely with the project coordinators to allocate/hand over projects to the design team.
My role at the company is unique, and that’s the part I love. I get to work with almost every department and with so many amazing colleagues. This allows me to build both professional and personal relationships. In addition, teaching allows me to pass on my passion for design and technology to new team members, and the entire company, which gives me a great sense of achievement.
My favourite project I have worked on and am most proud about is Oakwrights first turnkey project. This project was on a private residential set of lakes in the Cotswolds. It was new for the company and an excellent challenge to learn. I assisted in building the oak frame and had many return visits to see the progress.
Rob Bristow
Head of Oak Frame Design
As well as stewarding my own projects through the design process, from 3D model to production, as Head of Oak Frame Design I also act as a consultant for the rest of the team and help guide them through the more complex design issues they come across.
The thing I love most about oak framing is the combination of form and function. Not only are we able to create a structural solution to make a design work, we also make that solution beautiful.
A stunning H-shaped manor house is my favourite. Our clients wanted the full traditional oak frame experience and gave us free reign during the design process to create that authentic design for them. It was fantastic to help them achieve their dream home.
Matt Atton
Head of Country Building Design
My role is to oversee the frame design of garages, outbuildings and garden rooms, extensions.
I particularly enjoy working on projects incorporating unusual features such as curved frames or cantilevered roofs. Working through these designs to see the finished frame on site is very satisfying.
My favourite project was a full glazed frame used as a greenhouse on a large estate. I particularly enjoyed designing the frame to incorporate the specialist glazing, lighting & automated glazed vents.
James Morgan
Head of Encapsulation Design
I am one of Oakwrights Encapsulation Designers. I typically pick up a project following the completion of all oak elements by the oak frame designers. I will then design and detail the chosen encapsulation system, Wright Wall or Wright Wall Natural around the oak frame.
I thoroughly enjoy being able to bring the encapsulation system to life, with careful consideration to the detailing required ahead of it going through our manufacturing facility, and equally the site construction phase. Knowing that these follow on stages have run smoothly and seamlessly is hugely rewarding.
My favourite project to date was in Buckinghamshire. A large high specification house incorporating a glazed link to the garage and our WrightWall and Natural wall systems. All things considered, this project certainly produced the wow factor and is a credit to all involved in making this a reality.
Julian Pilkington
Senior Oak Frame Designer
My role is to turn the Architectural concepts into reality, on the larger more complex projects. I have a BA Hons in 3D design and 20+ years industry experience.
I have worked at Oakwrights since 2008 and have designed hundreds of oak frames. As a designer and maker, I like turning the virtual designs into reality -working alongside the client and their contractor, working out the details of how the project is actually going to be built, how it will function, and how it will look its best.
Any of the large clear spanning swimming pool frames that show the structure in its purest form.
Carrie Powell
Senior Encapsulation Designer
My job is to model the encapsulation panels in 3D, produce the manufacture and site drawings and cutting files for machines. Checking colleagues’ models and drawings prior to manufacture.
I started at Oakwrights in August 2011, before that I worked for another oak frame company. What I enjoy the most about Oakwrights is the working environment and the friendly team I work with. Every day has a different challenge and not one project I’ve worked on is exactly the same which is what love about Encapsulation Design.
I don’t particularly have one favourite project, I think all the oak frames I have worked on are stunning, elegant. I would love to have an oak frame house for myself.
Karlton Fields
Senior Country Building Designer
I am a senior designer for outbuildings, garden rooms and extensions. I ensure that a project, once handed over from the sales team, smoothly proceeds through modelling, client drawings, jointing for our CNC machine, production, and site; for a simple erection. Also as a senior designer, I provide help to other team members from training, problem-solving to general checking.
I enjoy the variation of complexity each job brings, challenging yet rewarding, keeping every day a school day. Also, we’ve created a team that makes each day a pleasure. I’m particularly fond of the idea, that each frame is designed to last hundreds of years.
I had this one particular job that really sticks out for me. Mainly because it was one of my very first real challenges, really testing my abilities not just as a designer but also as a problem solver and detailer; giving me more confidence within my job role.
Costel Nicolae
Encapsulation Designer
Designing encapsulation systems to enclose green oak frames.
It amazes me that a virtual cluster of lines on computer becomes a real house. A small miracle, from mind to existence.
I am waiting for the first Oakwrights tree house project and I will definitely love it.
Chris Cox
Oak Frame Designer
I am involved from contract stage to production. I produce oak frame 3D models based on the traditional mortise and tenon jointing techniques using the latest software. I will guide the customer through the 3D model, ensuring they are happy with the final design and answer any questions they may have. Liaising with team members throughout the project to achieve the completion of each oak frame project and ensuring we meet the customer’s expectations.
After 12 years experience within the oak frame industry I can say no single project is ever the same. It’s a fantastic natural material to work with that provides unlimited design possibilities. Not only does it act as a structural element but adds character and warmth to a building.
‘The Woodhouse’ range is one of my favourite designs. It shows off multiple oak frame features with the option to increase the amount of oak visible internally. As it is inspired by our oak frame show home, I am lucky enough to be able to visit it regularly and appreciate the character and design features of a traditional mortise and tenon timber frame construction an oak frame house provides.
Aaron Woolley
Junior Country Buildings Designer
I am a Frame Designer specialising in bespoke garages and garden rooms and extensions. I design oak frames together with the softwood panel systems to create beautifully constructed outbuildings and home extensions.
Using modern CADCAM technology and Dietrich’s software I am able to bring clients the perfect garage or extension to life. That is exactly what I love about my role, creating the perfect space for people.
My favourite project I worked on was a garden room with a loggia. Creating this extension really brought out the best living space, especially during the summer period enjoying the natural light through their overhead lantern opening and full 5m frame bi-fold door.
Sarah Connelly
I am the primary contact for clients embarking on their oak frame build at the detailed design and manufacture stage. I design the oak frame and encapsulation and work with clients to get the internal layout just perfect. I get the superstructure engineered, then joint the oak in the 3D software before placing the order with our French sawmills. I also produce the drawings that show what will be built for you.
I love taking architect concept drawings and working with clients to improve the internal layout to best suit the way they will use their home. I like to offer different frame styles so clients really take control of what they’re designing and building with us.
My favourite Oak project is a difficult one as I have a few! But right now a unique studio frame and a family home in Bristol are both top of the list. When clients take the time to design and really consider each space/room we can create beautiful buildings.
Charlotte Jones
Junior Oak Frame Designer
My role is to work on models for outbuilding projects including garages and greenrooms and extensions followed by producing the drawings for the client and the workshop. I recently started working on house projects which will involve more client interaction.
I enjoy being able to get stuck into a project I love seeing the project as a 3D model on my computer and it gets brought to life when it goes into the workshop!
If I had to choose then it would be the Greenroom I have worked on recently, I found it interesting looking at the 3D survey of the existing conservatory. The use of oak and face glazing and how they will compliment each other and bring natural light into the space, it will be a great addition to the clients house.
Jack Stones
I work in the design department and my role is to model and design Garages, Garden Rooms, Extensions and Outbuildings.
Matthew Siemieniec
Junior Encapsulation Designer
My job is to produce the 3D computer models of a building with leads to producing client drawings, machine files and workshop/site drawings using both 2D and 3D CAD software.
I like the whole process of creation of someone’s dream home or outbuilding making it into the reality, and for some reason being able to say that I’ve design someone building make me proud and feel good.
I don’t have a particular favourite one- for me it’s more about the design journey than the destination. If I had to pick one It would be a beautiful Room over garage for the client near Cardiff with the face glazed gable overlooking the fields.
Katharina Jung
My role as Frame Designer is to generate digital 3D modes of bespoke garden rooms, garages and outbuildings. Confirming the overall design as well as critical details with clients prior to issuing the drawings for sign off. Creating traditional timber joints within the software, ready for our CNC to machine.
Each project holds a novelty of some kind – there is an endless variety of different designs and the numerous steps in the process from handover to assembly to keep the job engaging. I appreciate working towards a sustainable product that is made to last. There is a great group dynamic in our small team of designers during working hours as well as various activities outside of work.
My favourite project was an assignment in Scotland that I worked on during my holidays when I was still at uni. We converted an existing Oakwrights structure from an agricultural barn to an oak framed home. We hand-cut a lot of new joints on site to accommodate the changes, which made it an enjoyable variation of our usual pre-manufactured modular-system approach.
Marijke Manning
Trainee Frame Designer
Ashley Barnes
Trainee Encapsulation Designer
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