ETHOS

We’re Somner Macdonald Architects. We have a genuine passion for designing homes that enhance the lives of those who inhabit them.

 

 

With simplicity and clarity at the fore, our plans celebrate light, space and materiality and promote a harmonious way of living. We are continually motivated to seek alternative ways to reimagine the home whilst focusing on the owner’s needs and desires.

With studios in Edinburgh and East Lothian, Somner Macdonald Architects is a leader in design-led residential architecture. Working throughout central and southern Scotland, our projects stretch from Dunkeld to Dumfries.

Projects

Whether heralding a new chapter in an existing building’s life or creating something completely new, we maximise the potential of every site and building to ensure it integrates seamlessly with its surroundings.

 

PROCESS

Projects vary by scope and need, but we adhere to a strict process to enable our team to craft the designs we are known for.

 

 

Our shared journey is built on mutual respect and trust; our completely tailored approach underpins the success of our homes. The steps outlined below will give you an insight into how we work.

  • Once you’ve submitted our enquiry form, a member of our team will be in touch to discuss next steps. If we are aligned, we will meet you at the property/site to discuss your vision.

    After this, we will send you a Feasibility Study. This document covers a breadth of information, from an analysis of your site’s context to the material palette we’d most like to work with.

  • This is when we take your feedback from the Feasibility Study and create an actual Concept Design proposal that summarises your vision, meets your needs and fulfils your requirements.

    We will require a topographical survey of the site to ensure we have accurate information from which to develop our proposals. We can recommend a surveying company, or you can make your own arrangements. We will present our Concept Design at two workshops.

  • The main focus of the Spatial Coordination stage is to finalise our Concept Design proposal, develop a detailed budget and prepare documentation for relevant planning applications.

    This is the time that we would encourage you to appoint an interior design team.

  • Technical Design is the largest stage in our service. This is when we develop all of the detailed drawings, schedules and specifications to enable a contractor to tender and build the project.

  • We provide a full administration service throughout the Construction stage. This means that we will manage the build on your behalf.

    This includes, but is not limited to: coordinating with the design team, conducting regular site meetings, hosting various technical meetings to answer general queries and monitoring the progression of works on-site to ensure they are in accordance with the contract.

People

We love what we do. Our team are eager, energised and motivated to continually seek creative, award-worthy designs to reimagine the home in an urban, suburban or rural setting.

 

 
DIRECTOR ARCHITECT  Seán Gaule

DIRECTOR ARCHITECT

Seán Gaule

Seán graduated from the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture Aberdeen with distinction. His experience covers commercial, housing and hotel sectors. Seán joined SMA in 2012 and has developed the practice’s BIM capabilities. The results of his collaborative efforts were recognised when the Practice won a RIAS prize for the Moray Place refurbishment project in 2017.

DIRECTOR ARCHITECT  Tom Armistead

DIRECTOR ARCHITECT

Tom Armistead

Tom graduated from The Scott Sutherland School of Architecture in Aberdeen, having earned his degree with distinction. His professional journey brought him to SMA in 2017, building upon a wealth of experience gained in diverse design-led projects across the realms of domestic, commercial and public spaces.

Tom's fervour for his craft extends to the heart of his work at SMA, where he channels his passion into creating homes that captivate and enchant. This commitment to crafting delightful homes becomes a guiding force, resonating through the very ethos and creative pursuits of the practice.

DIRECTOR ARCHITECT  Keith Macdonald

DIRECTOR ARCHITECT

Keith Macdonald

Keith is based in North Berwick, focusing on East Lothian and beyond, having worked in several parts of Scotland earlier in his career. He thrives on working with clients, seeking ways of shaping their homes to create change to their lives.

CONTACT

Your story will be reflected in the completed build—a notion that transcends design and construction.

 

 

We would love to hear your story. Please introduce us to your project via our enquiry form. A member of our team will respond within two business days.

Edinburgh Architects