Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Award-Winning Architectural Solutions in Edinburgh
Established in 1962, Jmarchitects has grown into one of the UK's leading architectural practices. Our expertise spans architecture, masterplanning, urban planning, interior design, 3D visualisation, and sustainability, serving both private and public sector clients. With studios in Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, and Manchester, we specialise in complex projects up to 100m, addressing challenges such as stakeholder management, phased construction, and heritage preservation. Our team of 100 professionals prioritises sustainable design, integrating environmental considerations into every project. We have delivered award-winning work across education, community, health, residential, commercial, and leisure sectors.Our approach combines decades of experience with innovative solutions tailored to each project's unique context. We maintain rigorous quality control through early scoping of project complexity and adaptive action plans. As an employee-owned business, we foster a culture of collaboration and long-term commitment to excellence. Our Carbon Reduction Plan reflects our dedication to minimising environmental impact through responsible design practices. We engage with clients and stakeholders to create architecture that balances functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability for future generations.
Services
Education Architecture
Residential Design
Conservation Projects
Commercial Development
Healthcare Facilities
Urban Planning
Interior Design
3D Visualisation
Sustainability Consultancy
Leisure Projects
Details
- Year established: 1962
Highlights and features
- We have over 60 years of experience in architectural design and masterplanning.
- Our team handles complex projects up to 100m with phased construction expertise.
- We integrate sustainable design principles into every project lifecycle.
- Our 100-strong multidisciplinary team operates across four UK studio locations.
- We maintain ISO-certified quality management systems for project delivery.
Services
Education Architecture
We create innovative educational environments that enhance learning experiences. Our projects incorporate modern pedagogical requirements while addressing site-specific challenges. Recent work includes net-zero primary schools and shared community campuses that integrate sustainable technologies with functional spatial planning for 21st-century education needs.
Heritage Conservation
Our conservation specialists protect architectural heritage through sensitive restoration and adaptive reuse. We balance listed building requirements with modern functionality, employing traditional materials and techniques while integrating contemporary sustainability standards for historic structures across public and private sectors.
Urban Regeneration
We deliver comprehensive urban renewal strategies that revitalise communities. Our approach combines masterplanning with mixed-use development, public realm improvements, and transport infrastructure integration to create cohesive, future-ready urban environments that address social and economic needs.
Commercial Development
We design commercial spaces that optimise productivity and brand identity. Our solutions incorporate flexible layouts, sustainable materials, and technology integration for modern workplaces, retail environments, and mixed-use developments that respond to evolving market demands.
Residential Design
We create high-quality residential schemes ranging from social housing to private developments. Our designs prioritise livability, energy efficiency, and community integration, delivering diverse housing typologies that meet contemporary living standards and urban density requirements.
People
Brian Thomson
Managing Director
With over 25 years in architectural leadership, Brian oversees strategic direction and client relationships. He specialises in large-scale urban projects and has driven the practice's transition to employee ownership while maintaining its commitment to design excellence.
Philip Ives
Director
Leading our London studio, Philip brings expertise in commercial developments and public realm design. He has delivered award-winning projects across Europe, focusing on integrating sustainable practices with urban regeneration initiatives for mixed-use developments.
Ryan Fletcher
Director
Ryan specialises in education architecture, overseeing numerous school and university projects. His work focuses on creating flexible learning environments that meet net-zero targets while enhancing pedagogical outcomes through innovative spatial design solutions.
Claire Davie
Project Director
Claire leads complex healthcare projects, combining technical expertise with user-centred design. She has delivered major hospital developments and community health facilities that prioritise patient wellbeing and operational efficiency through evidence-based design principles.
Graham Barr
Associate
Graham specialises in residential design, managing housing schemes that address urban density challenges. He focuses on creating sustainable communities through innovative layouts and material choices that balance cost-effectiveness with long-term environmental performance.
Questions
What architectural services does jm architects offer?
We provide architecture, masterplanning, urban design, interior design, 3D visualisation, and sustainability consultancy across education, healthcare, residential, commercial, and leisure sectors.
Do you specialise in sustainable design?
Yes, we integrate environmental considerations into all projects through our Carbon Reduction Plan and sustainable material selection practices.
Can you handle large-scale complex projects?
We regularly deliver projects up to £100m, managing complexities like phased construction, heritage preservation, and multi-stakeholder coordination.
Where are your offices located?
Our studios operate in Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, and Manchester, serving clients across the UK and internationally.
How does your design process work?
We begin with contextual analysis, develop tailored solutions through stakeholder engagement, and implement rigorous quality control throughout project delivery.
Are you an employee-owned business?
Yes, we transitioned to an Employee Ownership Trust in 2025, reflecting our commitment to collaborative governance and long-term stability.
