Our Studio

Originating from the Emerald Isle, Wendy was the founding partner of PAD studio Ltd.  With extensive experience leading high profile domestic, arts and education schemes, including Lottery funded Arts projects and over a decade of experience in crafting bespoke homes in sensitive and challenging locations.

Wendy is passionate about architectural education previously acted as a studio tutor and RIBA Part 3 examiner for several academic institutions including the University of Portsmouth and Oxford Brookes. She is currently an external examiner at AUB Bournemouth, and lectures on the Part 3 course at The Bartlett, UCL London. Currently a panel member on the South Downs Review Panel (SDRP) and Design South East (DSE), she regularly reviews Paragraph 84e and other high-profile planning applications and has twice been the invited jury chair and judge on the RIBA Awards panel. Wendy went on to graduate from the 10,000 Small Businesses course, run by Said Business School at Oxford University in association with Goldman Sachs in 2022.

Alongside managing PAD studio, Wendy is currently undertaking academic research and writing a thesis entitled ‘Traces of Feminine: Female Led Architectural Practice’. When she has spare time, Wendy is a talented sailor (having notched up over 30,000 sea miles), enthusiastic tennis player, swimmer, avid gardener and general foodie with a weakness for dark chocolate and good red wine.

Allan graduated from Harvard University and qualified as a registered architect in the USA and UK, Allan joined PAD studio in 2022.  He is an exceptionally talented designer and has won several prestigious national and international competitions. Many of his designs have been recognised with RIBA, RIAS, Civic Trust, EAA and Scottish Design awards, with projects such as the Missoni Hotel, Edinburgh St James and Boroughmuir High School.

He has taught architecture at the University of Edinburgh and Dundee University. Allan specialises in working within sensitive and historic UNESCO designated environments. He is a skilled narrator of project concepts and in communicating ideas to clients, planning authorities and the public. When he is not designing buildings, drawing them or writing about them Allan is a keen mountainbiker, and enjoys travelling and hiking and skiing in Europe and a cheeky craft beer!

Jen joined the PAD studio team in 2021 as Architect and PassivHaus designer. Throughout her career Jen has gained experience working on a scale of residential projects around Dorset and the beautiful south coast; from contemporary extensions and renovations, one-off houses to multi-unit residential housing and flat schemes. Alongside her design expertise, Jen pursued her passion for sustainability and environmental science by qualifying as a certified PassivHaus Designer and will be supporting our Post-Occupancy research within the studio.

As well as being a talented architect with an interest in phenomenological theory, Jen has a passion for vintage design, enjoys high-energy gym classes and exploring in the beautiful Jurassic coast with her family and a good vegan treat.

Collette joined the PAD studio team in 2016 and completing her final exams in 2020. Collette is a brilliant designer with a passion for uncovering the truth and history of a place; this richly informs our design work. During her career, Collette has worked on a range of project typologies including large-scale housing developments, public buildings and private residential projects and was instrumental in delivering our ‘Gardeners Cottage’ House. Collette is a trustee and student mentor supporting arts and architecture charity SPUD.

As well as being a great Architect, Collette is a fantastic baker keeping us supplied with cakes and sweet treats. Collette is also a keen runner, gym-goer and spin class fanatic.

Originally from Cumbria and joining PAD studio in 2023, David is an experienced architect who has spent the majority of his career on the South Coast. He has designed and delivered a wide range of residential projects including house refurbishments, one-off homes and award-winning small-scale housing developments. He aims to create contextually driven architecture which is highly functional yet well crafted.

Pursuing an interest in sustainable architecture, David qualified as a Passivhaus Designer in 2020 and has since been involved in designing low-energy homes for a Local Authority as part of their affordable homes programme.

Outside of the office, David can usually be found playing sports including cricket, football and searching for his ball on a golf course.

Originally from Zimbabwe Sasha joined PAD studio with the quote ‘Never give up, Never be beaten’ ringing in her ears and driving her passions and supporting her pursuits in architecture and beyond. Moving to the UK to study Architecture she has recently graduated from the Arts University Bournemouth.

As a skilled model maker rooted in the narrative of a project, she brings her unique perspective and passions to the team. Keen to develop and build her knowledge of sustainable and beautiful architecture we’re glad to hear she takes some time to travel, play sports with friends and a good book. Often found in the kitchen with either cocktails or ice cream with friends.

Otto – Chief Cuddle Officer

Otto is PAD studio’s resident morale booster and part-time security detail (especially when delivery men are involved). A connoisseur of crisps and cuddles, he’s happiest when roaming the forest, nose to the ground, following the trail of something wonderfully smelly.

Though his great-grandfather was a Crufts champion, Otto prefers a more “lived-in” look—scruffy chic, with the occasional polish-up for special occasions. He’s fiercely loyal to Wendy (his favourite human), and takes his role as her protector very seriously. Just don’t mention leads—he’s not a fan. When he’s not patrolling the studio or charming visitors, you’ll find him curled up in a sunny spot, dreaming of squirrels and snack breaks.

Helen Blois, a consultant from The Etch Group, manages our day-to-day accounts, invoices, and payroll. AAT qualified, she is an accountant in training. Helen is a keen runner, cyclist and walker and she has also discovered a passion for renovating houses. Her happy place is spending time on or in the water on anything that floats. In 2020 PAD studio partnered with The Etch Group to drive and help manage our business growth.

Helen Mutch, a consultant from The Etch Group, is an experienced Finance Manager and sits on our Management Team. She loves a spreadsheet and a good graph. When she is not crunching numbers, she loves walking in the forest but never uphill, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. Never happier than being at a Vintage Fair searching for trinkets, furniture and clothes. In 2020 PAD studio partnered with The Etch Group to drive and help manage our business growth.