Emma has a focus on Healthcare and Education with a varied portfolio spanning residential, mixed-use, masterplanning and aviation. She’s a thoughtful, context-specific designer who champions sustainable and socially responsible building design as a catalyst for wider placemaking.
Within the practice, Emma is a Sustainability Ambassador and Design Discourse Leader.
Emma, what’s your favourite project you’ve worked on to date?
I’m not sure I can pick one, but one of my most rewarding pro-bono projects was working with Sheffield Music Hub and Sheffield Music Academy back in 2017 on a feasibility study and fundraising materials so that they could propose a new centre for education and performance in the city.
The work we did to kickstart the project has gained momentum over the following years — its been a delight to watch Harmony Works purchase Canada House and secure planning permission. They’ve now been awarded Arts Council and Heritage funding with a view to the refurbishment starting at the end of 2025.
What is the current big trend in your sector?
I try not to be too pre-occupied by the latest trend, or what is currently in vogue – ultimately, I think that the principles of community, sustainability and collaboration result in spaces and places that can stand the test of time. Modernising our hospitals, health services and schools will require dynamic reinterpretation of existing building stock and sites to provide resilience in the face of funding and future proofing challenges and changes in numbers and pedagogies.
If you weren’t in this career, what would you be?
I’d be holed up on a croft in the Scottish islands, running a café/repair and refill shop/ceramics studio with as many Highland cows, Shetland ponies and miniature goats as I could manage!
Where do you see your career taking you?
I have been fortunate that my career to date has been varied, with opportunities to work on a wide range of project types, sectors and scales for both public and private sector clients. This has meant that each project has offered new and exciting lessons and learning and there is never a dull moment – long may this continue!
Favourite podcast?
You’re Dead to Me, with Greg Jenner. It’s funny, informative and I learn something new about a period of history every time. Educational romp through history
Industry Bodies
- ARB
