Alan Berman, MA (Cantab), Dip Arch, RIBA.  |  Design Director.

After graduating from Cambridge and University College London, Alan joined the pioneering practice of Maguire & Murray Architects. He set up his own practice in London in 1984 with Pedro Guedes and later moved the practice to Oxford, where in 1996 he teamed up with Roger Stretton to form Berman Guedes Stretton.

Alan is responsible for both multi-million pound projects and smaller schemes. He is a strategic thinker and puts a great deal of thought into identifying client needs and analysing complex briefs. A focus of Alan´s work is on realistic building strategies to ensure that economy and practicality are not sacrificed to imaginative design.

His knowledge of architectural history has gained him the respect of the Oxford historic societies as well as English Heritage. Many of his projects for traditional Oxford colleges have been constructed within sensitive and demanding environments.

Alan is actively concerned with sustainability issues, including energy conservation, environmental impact and waste management. He has lectured, part-time, at Oxford Brookes University School of Architecture and the University of East London. He is the author of several books on design and sustainability and a board member of Oxford Inspires. From 1999 to 2006 Alan was chair of Oxford Artweeks.

Bruce Cockburn, BSc (hons), Dip Arch, RIBA.  |  Director.

Bruce joined Berman Guedes Stretton from RMJM London in 1998. He became an Associate Director in 2001 and Director in 2003. He is an active team builder, encouraging optimum results from all participants in the construction process. His strong design skills and ability to solve problems ensure that project potential is always maximised.

Bruce has developed a keen interest in planning and has contributed to the negotiation of a number of valuable permissions on behalf of clients. This has been achieved by identifying a clear strategy, maintaining good communication with authorities and demonstrating that buildings have been designed appropriately through clear and attractive documentation.

Bruce has particular experience in running complex commercial, residential and university projects. He has undertaken major projects for the universities of Oxford, Birmingham and Warwick and many of the Oxford colleges. He has been responsible for several commercial and leisure projects for clients including the Cathedral Group, Curious Hotels and AXA.

Marion Brereton, Dip Arch, RIBA.  |  Associate Director and Company Secretary.

Marion qualified and joined Alan Berman in 1998, becoming an Associate Director of Berman Guedes Stretton in 2001. She is a highly experienced Project Architect and pays particular attention to quality control issues. In addition to her technical design skills and attention to detail, Marion has considerable expertise in sustainable design solutions. Marion is responsible for the practice’s quality management system BS EN ISO 9001.

Marion has extensive experience in working with listed buildings for both private and commercial clients. She has also worked with housing associations, and on healthcare projects. Recent projects include the refurbishment of a listed building to make it more sustainable, and student accommodation for Wolfson College Oxford.

Hamish McMichael, BArch (hons), Dip Arch, RIBA.  |  Associate Director.

Following his graduation from the Mackintosh School of Architecture, Hamish worked and studied in Edinburgh, Montpelier and San Francisco. He has experience of briefing, managing academic clients and organizing complex strategic and technical requirements.

Since joining Berman Guedes Stretton in 1999, he has developed an interest in scientific research buildings such as the extension to the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine in Oxford. This resulted in a collaboration with the MRC Human Immunology Unit to design a mobile AIDS Laboratory for Sub-Saharan Africa. This was short-listed in an international design competition. Hamish became an Associate Director in 2004.

Hamish is also interested in the challenges presented by inserting new structures into listed and historic buildings. This follows his dissertation which was a computer model exploring the historic fabric and architectural possibilities of the Sir John Soane Museum in Lincoln’s Inn Fields. He has developed successful proposals for projects, such as the feasibility studies for the Bodleian Library and Oxford Town Hall, and a new kitchen and dining facilities in the Grade 1 Listed buildings of Brasenose College in Oxford.

James Roach, BA (hons), MArch, FRSA, RIBA.  |  Associate Director.

James studied at the Oxford Brookes University and the Mackintosh School of Architecture. After graduation he joined Edward Cullinan Architects where he was a Director for 8 years. Here James was Project Architect for a range of designs including the £58 million Centre for Mathematical Sciences at the University of Cambridge and the £12 million Gateway Building for the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh. In 2005 James moved to Oxford and joined Berman Guedes Stretton.

His past and current experience has allowed James to develop all the skills required to manage complex projects and teams at both the strategic and detailed level. He is passionate about the important role good architecture plays in clients’ plans. He also brings to his work a wealth of experience on sustainability issues. While at Berman Guedes Stretton James has been involved in a number of projects including designs for buildings in school and university settings including a major development for Pembroke College, in Oxford.

James is a part-time lecturer at Oxford Brookes University.

Joel Penwarden , BA (Hons), Dip Arch, RIBA.  |  Project Architect.

Joel studied architecture at the University of Plymouth and the Oxford Brookes University before joining Berman Guedes Stretton in 2001. He has gained a lot of experience working on complex refurbishment projects including an environmentally sensitive scheme to upgrade the library at Keble College in Oxford, and refurbishment of the National Heart and Lung Research Institute within the Royal Brompton Hospital for Imperial College in London.

Joel has been responsible for delivering projects up to £10 million in value, including a conference and leisure centre designed with another local practice. Joel returned to Berman Guedes Stretton in 2009.

Joel aspires to design exceptional buildings which are professionally delivered. He is currently employed as a Project Architect and recent projects include a number of refurbishment projects for Imperial College. Other creative pursuits include writing, photography and youth work.

Joelle Darby, BArch, Dip Arch, RIBA.  |  Project Architect.

Joelle graduated from the University of East London in 1990 and worked for major London architectural practices at Senior Architect and Associate level before joining Berman Guedes Stretton in 2004.

She has been responsible for projects up to £15 million, primarily in the health, education and housing sectors. Joelle is experienced in overseeing projects to completion, using both Design and Build and traditional procurement.

Recent projects at Berman Guedes Stretton include: the refurbishment of a 1960s building to provide lecture and seminar rooms at the University of Birmingham; the creation of contemporary student accommodation and the restoration of Grade I listed interiors at Keble College in Oxford; and the design of dining and kitchen facilities at The Queen’s College, Oxford.

Joelle is a part-time lecturer at Oxford Brookes University.

Elisa Fabbri.  |  Architectural Assistant.

Elisa obtained her Degree in Architecture within the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Studies of Florence in 2006. She has spent time in Siena working towards her Italian professional exam and joined Berman Guedes Stretton in 2008. Elisa brings her skills in design visualisation and drafting to a number of projects in the London Office.

Nick Sinden, BA (Hons) (Architecture), BA (Hons) (Interior Design).  |  Architectural Assistant.

Nick joined Berman Guedes Stretton in 2006 after graduating from the University of Greenwich, where he is currently studying part-time for his Part Two Diploma in Architecture. He was nominated as part of a team for the 2008 RIBA Silver Medal for a design project in Cairo. He is also very interested in the sustainability agenda, and is involved in an Atelier focusing on the design and masterplanning of sustainable cities.

Nick gained experience in the commercial sector before joining Berman Guedes Stretton, and was part of a team responsible for space planning the headquarters building for Vodafone in Newbury. This led to a similar project for Vodafone in Egypt.

At Berman Guedes Stretton his role is to support the Project Architects in all stages of the architectural process – and he really enjoys the challenge and level of responsibility he is given in the team. Nick’s most recent projects include the modern extension to a Grade II listed building for the Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum. Environmentally responsive solutions are being explored as part of the design process, including the use of thermal mass, natural ventilation and locally sourced materials to reduce the building’s carbon footprint.

Alicja Tarkowska.  |  Architectural Assistant.

After completing her Diploma in Architecture at Poznan University of Technology in Poland, Alicja spent time at Vitus Bering University College in Horsens, Denmark as a Socrates-Erasmus student. She also worked in Poland developing her skills in detail design.

Alicja joined Berman Guedes Stretton in 2007 and assists in the delivery of projects for Imperial College and the Natural History Museum in the London Office.

Jon Du Croz, BSc BA DipArch RIBA.  |  Architect.

Jon joined Berman Guedes Stretton in 2000 after studying at the University of Liverpool and the Oxford Brookes University. During this time he has built up considerable technical, on-site and project management experience.

His recent work has included office, educational, commercial and domestic projects, and he has also developed a particular expertise in historic building work and laboratory design. Recently completed projects include the conversion of Grade II listed Victorian villas and a 1960s building to give Kellogg College a physical presence in the heart of Oxford. He is currently working on a project to modernise and rationalise the social, dining and catering facilities at Brasenose College to meet the needs of fellows, students, and conference delegates.

Ethan Ahlberg, BA Architectural Studies.  |  Project Architect.

Ethan graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies. Prior to joining Berman Guedes Stretton in 2008, he spent seven years in the United States working on public sector projects including recreation centres, community centres and libraries.

Ethan is interested in gaining a global perspective in design while working on buildings that enrich the public realm and day-to-day lives of the communities they serve. Based in Berman Guedes Stretton´s London Office, he is currently developing designs for the extension to the Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum.

Also a LEED Accredited Professional (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) he values environmentally conscious designs that respond to the given site and programmatic controls, while embodying a modern language and material richness.

David Bonta, BArch (Hons) Dip Arch RIBA.  |  Project Architect.

David has wide experience drawn from a diverse range of completed projects and competition designs, primarily at the offices of MacCormac Jamieson & Prichard, and Allies & Morrison. These include a number of award winning buildings. Since moving to Oxford in 2006, he gained local experience at Adrian James Architects before joining Berman Guedes Stretton in 2008. Projects have varied in scale and complexity from single family dwellings to large scale multi-use developments over a broad range of building types and levels of specification. David is currently working on a £15 million scheme at Pembroke College in Oxford, which will create a new quad, conference facilities and student accommodation. At The Queen’s College in Oxford, he is working on a design to create a new lecture theatre.

David has site experience on projects of a few hundred to over one million sq ft and as Project Architect he has been responsible for the delivery of projects up to £15 million. Forming good working relationships with clients, consultants and construction teams alike, he has an excellent appreciation of the process from inception to completion.

His expertise is in design development and detailing with particular emphasis on the external envelope. His overriding preoccupations are quality, clarity, appropriateness and the enjoyment of building as a creative endeavour. The desire to achieve these goals is a challenge renewed with every project.

Patrick Stimpson, MCSE.  |  Architectural Assistant and IT Manager.

Patrick joined Berman Guedes Stretton in 2006, following 10 years experience working in IT. In his IT role Patrick has worked with a wide variety of organizations including environmental charities, education and particularly the construction industry and still acts as IT consultant for a locally based charity.

Working for Berman Guedes Stretton has given him the opportunity to fulfill a long-held ambition to study Architecture; he is currently studying for a BA in Architecture at Oxford Brookes University.

Patrick is involved in producing drawings, 3D modeling and visualization together with IT support. Recent projects include an extension to a listed building at St Hugh´s College; a new student accommodation block for Wolfson College; a Civic building for Bicester Town Council and an interactive recreation space within the Natural History Museum in London. Patrick designed and project managed the refurbishment of the practice´s Oxford office, which included remodeling of the façade and the creation of a new meeting room and kitchen space.

Natalie Shorter, BA (Hons).  |  Architectural Assistant.

Natalie joined Berman Guedes Stretton in 2006 after graduating from the Oxford Brookes University with a degree in Interior Design. Her ambition is to continue her studies and to qualify as an architect.

Recently Natalie has been responsible for preparing graphic presentations and CAD visualisation for a major development for Pembroke College in Oxford.

Matthew Tromans, BA, Dip Arch.  |  Architectural Assistant.

Matt studied at Kingston University and Oxford Brookes before joining Berman Guedes Stretton in 2006. To quote Reed Kroloff: he believes that ´architecture is the built form of our cultural ambitions´, and during his Part II he specialised in architecture and cultural studies. He is now working towards his part III qualification.

Matt has worked on a wide range of projects, most notably a major conversion to create a hotel and conference facility. He is currently Architectural Assistant on a project to create a basement bar and dining room within in a listed building at Brasenose College in Oxford.

Anna Algne, BA (hons).  |  Interior Designer.

Anna joined Berman Guedes Stretton in June 2004 and worked part-time while studying Interior Architecture at the Oxford Brookes University. In 2008 she graduated from Westminster University with a Masters degree.

Anna’s ambition as a designer is to maximise the potential of interior space by analysing the usage, circulation, surroundings and the possible future demands of a building. Her main interest lies in the refurbishment of historic buildings: creating spaces for new uses and adapting them to meet modern environmental demands.

Recent projects include the £5 million refurbishment of listed buildings at Brasenose College in Oxford, where the main challenge is to create harmony between the historic interior and proposed new design.

Anna has been responsible for computer aided design, graphic presentations and working drawings on a number of interesting projects and competitions including: Sibford School, Keble College, St Hugh´s College and Kellogg College in Oxford.

Anna is a member of the Swedish Association of Architects.

Stephen Trevett , BA (Hons), Dip Arch. RIBA.  |  Project Architect.

Stephen joined Berman Guedes Stretton in 2005 after graduating from the Oxford Brookes University with a commendation in graphical presentation. He completed his Part Three Professional Diploma in 2009 and has a Diploma in Humanitarian Development.

Stephen has a keen interest in community development, and has participated in building and educational programmes in Oxford, Chile and Tajikistan.

He has been responsible for projects in the conservation, commercial, residential and educational sectors. Recent projects include a garden lecture theatre at the Queen´s College in Oxford and the remodeling of the St Mary´s Medical Library and the Alexander Flemming Museum for the Imperial College in London. His presentation skills have played an important part in winning a number of architectural competitions including a Memorial Gateway for Imperial College in London.

Neil Clarke. BA (Hons) Dip Arch (Oxon) RIBA  |  Project Architect.

Neil graduated from the Oxford Brookes University in 2002 and worked for regional architectural practices as Architectural Assistant and Project Architect before joining Berman Guedes Stretton in 2008.

He has built up considerable experience in both new build projects and refurbishment including: commercial development, residential housing, community projects, infrastructure, office space and a large PFI project for Gloucester Constabulary.

Since joining Berman Guedes Stretton, Neil has been responsible for feasibility studies for the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, and is currently developing accommodation schemes for a couple of Oxford University Colleges.

Neil´s ambition as an architect is to constantly strive to exceed client’s high standards and expectations through a close collaborative way of working. His main interests lie in the application of modern architecture to a variety of historical contexts.

Neil also teaches part-time at the Oxford Brookes University.

Kim Revell  |  Office Manager.

Kim manages all of the administrative activities that enable the smooth running of the Oxford office: from supporting the management team and Directors, to managing human resources and making sure that suppliers and staff get paid.

Matthias Veldboer  |  MSc Arch, Dipl-Ing Arch, Architectural Assistant.

Matthias joined Berman Guedes Stretton in October 2007 after graduating from Wuppertal University in Germany. His master’s thesis explored the development of a system to measure the actual and long-term impact of sustainable refurbishment on a building’s energy efficiency, economy and the well-being of its residents. Before joining Berman Guedes Stretton, Matthias worked at the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, and with Professor Mandler Architects in Cologne.

Designing and redeveloping listed buildings in difficult historic contexts is one of Matthias’ key interests. He is currently working on two projects for The Queen’s College in Oxford: one to create a new garden lecture theatre and the other to provide new kitchen and dining facilities. Both projects will reveal and celebrate previously hidden historical features, some believed to have been designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor.

Matthias enjoys working with the wide range of different consultants, and believes that communication is vital in the delivery of high quality projects.

Chris Hale, BA, Dip Arch.  |  Associate Director.

Chris worked as an architectural technician before joining Berman Guedes Stretton in 2000. He qualified as an architect in 2006 after studying part-time at the University of North London and the Oxford Brookes University. In 2007 he was promoted to Associate Director.

Chris has managed a variety of prestigious projects ranging in value from £1 million to £10 million. Clients include: The National Gallery, The Courtauld Institute and Ely Cathedral. Many of these projects have involved building conservation and sustainable design.

More recently Chris has been responsible for managing a framework contract for Imperial College in London. Now in its third generation, projects delivered to date include: laboratories, research spaces, lecture theatres and office accommodation. Chris is currently working on the reconfiguration of the historic library located within St Mary´s Hospital in Paddington.

Chris enjoys solving challenging and complex design briefs and has an excellent working knowledge of detailing and materials. He is an articulate and confident communicator and is good at managing and motivating the team to deliver complex strategic and technical requirements.

Gary Collins, BSc, Dip Arch, RIBA.  |  Associate Director.

A graduate of Dundee University and Oxford Brookes University, Gary joined Berman Guedes Stretton in 2002 from Hopkins Architects in London. He became an Associate Director in 2005.

Gary has considerable experience of leading large teams on a wide variety of projects, from £2 million up to £150 million. He has worked on award-winning buildings for prestigious clients in the education, healthcare, scientific research, commercial, and arts and cultural sectors. Some of these clients include: the Parliamentary Estates Directorate, St Thomas’ Hospital and the Natural History Museum¬¬, where he is currently responsible for delivering a variety of projects under a four-year framework agreement.

Gary has a reputation for delivering considered design solutions through his thorough knowledge of detailing and materials. Recent projects include a lecture theatre for the Queen’s College in Oxford and a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility at the University of Birmingham, which won a ‘Built in Quality’ Award. Gary led the team responsible for winning a national RIBA competition to design an extension to Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum.

Gary is a part-time lecturer and external critic at the Oxford Brookes University.

Natalie Belson  |  Secretary.

Natalie joined Berman Guedes Stretton in 2007 and provides administrative support throughout the practice. She previously worked as PA for an executive coaching company in Oxford.

Caroline Bothway  |  Practice Administrator.

Caroline joined Berman Guedes Stretton in 2007 and keeps the London Office running smoothly with practice administration and project support.

She previously worked as an on-site massage therapist in Canary Wharf and the West End.

Clara Byrne. BA.  |  Architectural Assistant.

Clara joined Berman Guedes Stretton in 2008 after completing her BA degree at the University of Newcastle.

Clara is particularly interested in renovating and converting historic buildings, and shares the practice’s philosophy for creating modern interventions within historic buildings in a contemporary but sympathetic way. She is a member of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, the Georgian Group and the Twentieth Century Society.

While at Berman Guedes Stretton she has been working on the refurbishment of public facilities within Alfred Waterhouse’s Central Hall in the Natural History Museum. The objective is to reveal and restore as much of the original design as possible, within the constraints of a listed building and a very tight budget.

Mojdeh Moasser. BA (hons), Dip Arch, MArch.  |  Architectural Assistant.

A graduate of the University of Westminster and the Oxford Brookes University, Mojdeh joined Berman Guedes Stretton in 2007. She has a Masters degree in Vernacular Architecture and is interested in community consultation work and design in a cultural context. She is currently studying for her Part 3 qualification.

As an Architectural Assistant, Mojdeh´s work includes surveys, design development, 3D and 2D visualisation, planning and building regulation applications, and compiling tender documents.

Recently she has been responsible for the masterplan and the first phase of design development at Sibford School, a Quaker school in Oxfordshire. The school´s ethos is rooted on simplicity, honesty and purity and the curriculum is based on a ´learning by doing´ principle. This project gave Mojdeh the opportunity to look at various sustainable construction methods with the school.

Mojdeh aspires to design buildings that avoid materials that harm the environment and that are enjoyed by their users.

Sonja Schellenberg, Dipl. Ing.  |  Architectural Assistant.

Sonja graduated in 2007 from the Technical University of Dresden in Germany. For one year of her education she studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen at the Department of Architecture, Town and Landscape.

Before joining Berman Guedes Stretton in 2008 Sonja worked in practices in Berlin including Sauerbruch Hutton Architects, Barkow Leibinger Architects and also for Mpai+ in China. She is particularly interested in designing buildings in historic contexts and in exploring the relationship between architecture and landscape.

Sonja is responsible for preparing working drawings, feasibility studies, and detail design. Recent projects include a feasibility study for a new study centre at St John´s College and the detail design of a new garden lecture theatre at The Queen´s College in Oxford.

Roger Stretton. Dip Arch (Oxford), RIBA.  |  Director.

After qualification, Roger worked with London Transport Architects, Canterbury City Council and the Oxford Regional Health Authority before becoming principal architect for IDC Consultants. He set up his own practice in 1989, and joined Alan Berman to form Berman Guedes Stretton in 1996.

Roger has particular expertise in the design and co-ordination of complex laboratory projects and has written and published articles on the subject. His experience has been instrumental in securing framework agreements for scientific research facilities at leading Universities including: Birmingham, Warwick, Oxford, Queen Mary College and Imperial College, London. Roger is also Framework Manager for Paradigm Housing Group.

Creating modern interventions in historic buildings is another area where Roger has a great deal of experience. He has lead teams converting and refurbishing listed buildings for a number of high profile clients. The conversion of a former mailing shed for the Oxford University Press won the practice the RIBA South Conservation Award in 2008.

Roger has been a RIBA Part 3 external examiner at the University of Portsmouth and at the Oxford Brookes University.

Mick Scott. Bsc (Hons), Dip Arch.  |  Architectural Assistant.

Mick studied at the Queen’s University in Belfast and at The Oxford Brookes University where he specialised in Development and Emergency Practice.

Before joining Berman Guedes Stretton in 2008, he gained an interesting variety of architectural experience. In Ireland he worked for a number of small architects in his home County of Dhún na nGall, then in Belfast he worked with Community Technical Aid: a not-for-profit architectural practice working in disadvantaged interface areas which experienced extreme conflict between Catholics and Protestants during the troubles. Mick also spent time in Maribor, Slovenia working for Komunaprojekt architects, and in Shanghai, China, for Jun Hun Architects.

Mick is interested in the field of of humanitarian relief and development, and would like to complete his masters degree on space and armed conflict. He is also involved with Architecture Sans Frontières: a not-for-profit group formed to broaden the role and responsibility of architecture in disadvantaged sectors of society. He is currently developing a workshop for undergraduates in Universities in the UK, which highlights the role architects can play in improving lives. The first pilot was held at the Oxford Brookes University in September 2008.

Mick is currently working on a number of projects preparing feasibility studies, visualisations, detail designs and bid documents.

Mark Vice. BA (Hons), MASI, ARPS.  |  Graphic Designer.

Mark´s career began in a drawing office in north London, working for Laing Technology Group, a subsidiary of John Laing Plc. Starting as a Graphics Trainee he soon moved into 3D CAD modelling and visualisation and was in a team working closely with Autodesk Ltd to develop programmes like ADT, 3DStudioMax/Vis, and AutoCAD. He helped create visualisations for some exciting architectural projects such as the Cardiff Millennium Stadium, The Millennium Dome, The Heathrow Express Link, Daiwa Europe House, The World-Cargo Centre, Heathrow Terminal Five and Portcullis House. He was also involved in producing animations, multi-media presentations, and various site safety and progress videos for a variety of other projects.

When Laing Technology Group moved to Dartford, Mark made the break and enjoyed working for an architectural practice in Hertfordshire supporting them with all their graphic requirements, together interior and exhibition design. Mark also completed a degree in Photography and Multimedia.

Mark joined Berman Guedes Stretton in 2008 and is now happily providing them with an in-house graphic design, photography and visualisation resource.

Beatriz Leon. BA (Hons) Dip Arch.  |  Project Architect.

After graduating from Venezuela’s Central University, Beatrice studied and worked in Paris before working in London, Seattle and Vancouver at Senior Architect and Associate levels. She joined Berman Guedes Stretton in 2007.

Beatrice has considerable international experience in new build and refurbishment, designing buildings in the housing, leisure, commercial and cultural sectors. She has managed projects ranging in value from £1 million to £250 million pounds.

During her career she has developed a wide range of skills with strong emphasis on design and attention to detail. She has considerable expertise and interest in sustainable design solutions and is a qualified LEED Assessor, with a LEED 2.0 AP certification from the US Green Building Council.

Gemma Loving. BA (Hons), Dip Arch.  |  Architectural Assistant.

After graduating from Oxford Brookes University, Gemma was part of the project team that designed the award-winning Haringey Sixth Form Centre (a Partnership for Schools showcase Academy). She joined Berman Guedes Stretton in 2007. She was nominated for the RIBA Silver Medal in 2008 for her design of the hamlet, Little Silverdale, neighbouring the RSPB reserve in Leighton Moss.

Gemma´s aspiration is to create buildings that enrich people´s lives, enliven communities, and consciously relate to their context, while effectively contributing to the design team and the design process.

At Berman Guedes Stretton, Gemma has been involved in the refurbishment of the St Mary´s Medical Library and the design proposal for the Energy Futures Centre at Imperial College in London. She also undertook a Conservation Study for The Queen´s College, Oxford, as part of the project to extend and modernise the College´s catering and dining facilities.

Jonathan Lerwicki. BSc (Hons)  |  Architectural Assistant.

John joined Berman Guedes Stretton in 2008, after graduating with a BSc Honours in Architecture from the Oxford Brookes University. He won the ´RYB: Konsult Prize´ for his contribution to sustainability and the Scott Brownrigg Prize for the best hand-drawn 3D visualisation.

As a year out placement student, his responsibilities include Computer Aided Design, 2D and 3D visualisation and design development. Some of the projects he has been involved in, include, a major development for Pembroke College and the creation of new dining facilities at Brasenose College in Oxford.

Eva Mendez, BSc, Dip Arch, MSc  |  Architectural Assistant

Eva Mendez joined Berman Guedes Stretton in October 2009 after graduating with a Masters degree in architecture from the Polytechnic University of Madrid. This was followed by an MSc in Historic Conservation from the Oxford Brookes University.

Before joining Berman Guedes Stretton, Eva worked part-time for two small practices in Spain. Here she gained on-site experience while doing an internship for Acciona Inmobiliaria S.A., on the development of 114 flats in Madrid. While at Berman Guedes Stretton, Eva has been involved in the preparation of a feasibility study for the Oxford University Press and a design for Jesus College, Cambridge - won in competition. Eva is now assisting with the design and producing Autocad drawings and Sketchup visualisations for the refurbishment of historic Chapel Court to provide en-suite student accommodation.

Eva is very interested in contemporary additions and refurbishments to historic buildings. The projects she is involved in at Berman Guedes Stretton is giving her a great opportunity to build up expertise in this field.

She is also a chartered architect in Spain, registered at the School of Architects of Asturias.

Gerit Kreuzer-Plank.  |  Architectural Assistant.

Gerit studied architecture at the Technical University of Graz in Austria and Technical of University of Valencia in Spain. She graduated with a Masters degree in Architecture in 2002. Gerit brings an international perspective to her work. She was part of a team that designed the Fire Museum in Alberta in Canada and has been involved in designing several projects in Austria, including a cafe and workshop for disabled people and a residential housing scheme.

She is currently one of the team designing a major development at Pembroke College in Oxford. This £15 million project is the largest scheme she has ever worked on, and she is enjoying the challenge. As well as developing drawings in AutoCAD, Gerit is also involved in managing the design process. Working at Berman Guedes Stretton has given her the opportunity to explore and share ideas more openly, and she appreciates the lively design discussions in the office.

Gerit believes that to really understand architecture you have to open your eyes and look at it from a different perspective. She finds designing buildings for disabled people both interesting and satisfying -and is fascinated by watching buildings grow and come to life on site. During her maternity leave four years ago, Gerit started her own Graphic Design business. When she finds the time between work and bringing up her children, she still loves to design logos and websites.

Ryan Holland, BSC.  |  Architectural Assistant.

Ryan joined Berman Guedes Stretton in October 2009 after graduating from the University of Westminster with a BSc in Architecture with Engineering.

His experience prior to Berman Guedes Stretton has included the construction of a Lego facade for a primary school in North West London. Being a very practically-minded person, this was a grown-up take on a childhood hobby which he thoroughly enjoyed.

At Berman Guedes Stretton, Ryan is working on projects for Imperial College and to date has produced surveys and office layouts for office modernisation, and feasibility reports for student accommodation.

As a young architect, Ryan is very interested in the sustainability agenda and is looking forward to expanding his knowledge of sustainable design within the practice.

James Renfrew, BA (Hons), Dip Arch.  |  Architectural Assistant.

Having spent several years ‘doing other things’, amongst them studying history and a spell as an English teacher in Catalunya, James returned to education to study architecture. He completed his undergraduate degree at Bath University, being a joint recipient of the Basil Spence Prize in his final year. An enjoyable year working at Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios under Stirling Prize winning studio leader Mike Keys preceded the commencement of his diploma at the Oxford Brookes University.

Joining Berman Guedes Stretton in the Autumn of 2009, James has worked on two projects for Pembroke College in Oxford: the refurbishment of the historic dining hall, and a major development of five new student residencies. He aims to become a fully fledged architect in the not-too-distant future!