ABOUT

Founded in 1993, we are an experienced Edinburgh-based architecture practice working throughout Scotland.

For over three decades, we’ve been quietly shaping homes throughout Edinburgh, East Lothian and Perthshire, drawing on a deep understanding of the fabric of our cities, towns and rural landscapes. This legacy gives us the confidence to design with clarity, purpose and long-term vision.

We specialise in expressive yet restrained residential architecture. Our work is defined by a considered, rigorous design process, one that values patience, precision and simplicity. Every line has intention. Every space feels calm, coherent and attuned to the lives of those who inhabit it. Learn more about our Ethos.

Respect sits at the heart of our practice: respect for architectural heritage, for materials and landscape, and for the people we work with. From craftspeople and consultants to our clients, we build strong, collaborative relationships grounded in trust and care. Learn more about our Process.

With studios in Edinburgh and East Lothian and a growing presence in Perthshire, our work spans Scotland’s Central Belt and the Scottish Highlands. From listed townhouses to rural retreats, extensions to new builds, we bring a specialist focus to homes and domestic life. Our experience with local planning, conservation and construction, paired with a trusted network of collaborators, means we can navigate even the most complex residential projects with ease.

Our architecture is purposeful, pared back and deeply rooted in place. Recognised for its design quality, craftsmanship and environmental responsibility, our work continues to be awarded and celebrated.

People

Our team brings energy, curiosity and care to every project. We’re united by a shared belief that homes should be crafted with purpose: responsive to landscape, attuned to daily life and built to last. Across urban, suburban and rural settings, we design with clarity, rigour and a respect for the people and places we work with.

DIRECTOR ARCHITECTS

Seán Gaule & Tom Armistead

With over 35 years’ combined experience in the residential market, Seán and Tom lead Somner Macdonald Architects with a shared ambition to create thoughtful, context-driven homes shaped by clarity, craft and long-term value. Their complementary backgrounds in heritage, new-build and contemporary residential design underpin the practice’s rigorous yet warm approach.

Together, they have taken the practice forward with a clear vision: to honour Somner Macdonald Architects’ legacy while evolving its ethos for modern living. Working collaboratively across all projects, they ensure every home is well considered, well made and built to stand the test of time.

DIRECTOR ARCHITECT

Keith Macdonald

Keith heads up our East Lothian studio, bringing years of experience from working across Scotland’s varied landscapes and built contexts. He thrives on close collaboration with clients, helping them articulate what they need from a home and shaping spaces that meaningfully enhance their everyday lives.

His work blends sensitivity with clarity: respecting the character of existing buildings while introducing thoughtful, contemporary interventions that feel natural and lasting.

SENIOR CHARTERED ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGIST

Oliver Hibbs

Oliver joined Somner Macdonald Architects in 2021 with nearly a decade of experience spanning social housing, conversions and conservation-led projects across north-east Scotland and Edinburgh. A Chartered Member of CIAT, he has a strong interest in sustainability and the adaptive reuse of historic buildings.

He plays a key role in delivering technically robust projects, ensuring that every detail, from materials to construction methods, supports the clarity, craft and longevity at the heart of our work.

Project ARCHITECT

Laure Humbert

Laure joined Somner Macdonald Architects in 2023, bringing international experience from France, Sweden and Brazil. She graduated from the National School of Architecture of Nancy in 2017, specialising in Architectural Theory and Critique, and completed her Part 3 in Edinburgh in 2023. An active board member of the EAA, Laure brings both design expertise and global perspective to the practice.

Her work is grounded in curiosity, collaboration and a commitment to creating spaces with resonance and purpose.

Chartered architectural technologist

Emma Sanderson

Emma graduated from the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture in 2016 and joined Somner Macdonald Architects in 2021 after working on major affordable housing projects across Edinburgh, Midlothian and the Borders. A Chartered Architectural Technologist, she brings a meticulous eye for bespoke detailing and technical resolution.

Emma supports projects from early stages through to delivery, helping translate design intent into buildings that are precise, buildable and beautifully resolved.

PROJECT ARCHITECT

Kirstin Forsyth

Kirstin joined Somner Macdonald Architects in 2021 after completing her M.Arch at ESALA. She has worked at respected practices in Scotland and Northern Ireland, with a strong focus on spatial quality and refined detailing. Her graduating project was commended by the EAA McKay Student Medal in 2018, and she is currently completing her Part 3.

Kirstin brings a thoughtful, people-focused approach to her projects, contributing to spaces that balance clarity, comfort and craft.

associate architect

Greig Penny

Greig joined Somner Macdonald Architects in 2025 with experience across Scotland, Denmark and Belgium. Holding a master’s degree with distinction, he has worked on projects ranging from large-scale US developments to bespoke Scottish homes. His design approach combines strong conceptual thinking with a focus on the sensory qualities of architecture, supported by high-end visualisation skills.

His previous work has been recognised with a RIBA National Award, a Saltire Award and an RSA New Contemporaries Award, and shortlisted for the AJ Small Projects and RIAS Awards.

Greig helps shape projects that are visually compelling, contextually grounded and built with care.

part I architectural assistant

Anna Forte

Anna joined Somner Macdonald Architects in 2025 after graduating from Queen’s University Belfast with a BSc in Architecture. She gained valuable experience working with a respected Irish practice across a range of project types before relocating to Scotland.

Driven by an interest in Scotland’s architectural heritage and contemporary culture, Anna brings enthusiasm, precision and a growing technical skillset to the team. She plans to continue her studies with a master’s degree, building on her passion for thoughtful, preservation-conscious design.

Projects

Whether breathing new life into a historic building or designing something entirely new, we specialise in unlocking the potential of every site across Edinburgh, East Lothian and Perthshire. Our work integrates seamlessly with its surroundings, combining innovative solutions with a respectful understanding of context, character and place.

While our portfolio highlights just ten selected projects, our Index offers a wider view of our work, reflecting three decades of residential expertise and our legacy as one of Scotland’s longest-established architecture practices.

Projects