Practice

Taylor Design was founded in 1981 by Philip Taylor, who in March 2021 stepped down handing over to Lorna Griffiths, who has been at the helm since then. The Practice has established a reputation for forward-thinking, creating designs which reflects the unique demands of the luxury and premium automotive sector. We are still learning, finding new solutions to new problems.

How we work

Delivery

Values

Our People

There is a Taylor Design way of working. It acknowledges buildings aren’t created by individuals, but by the whole Practice. Which is why we encourage and nurture the careers of every one of our people – what’s best for them is best for us all.

Lorna Griffiths

Managing Director

Lorna’s degree was awarded by Leeds Metropolitan University in 1992 – After nearly 30 years of working at Taylor Design, Lorna took over the business in 2021. Her hands on approach, 'never say never' positivity and motivation continues to be a strong driving force to Taylor Design.

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Adam Dolby DipArch

Director

Adam has contributed in excess of 20 years’ service with Taylor Design – so he’s another member of the team with an outstanding breadth and depth of experience working with premium motor manufacturers. A graduate of Sheffield University, he began his career in the healthcare and food processing sectors, and now his design-led strategy drives many of our brand identity implementation projects.

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Lee Harper BArch BArch(Hons)

Associate Director

Lee has worked his way through the ranks after joining the Practice as an Architectural Assistant following his graduation from the Manchester School of Architecture in 2002 – taking further professional exams as well as gaining an extensive understanding of how creative design solutions can deliver efficient motor trade facilities.

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Stephen Sands BSc Hons DipArch

Associate Director

Although Stephen graduated from the Bartlett School of Architecture in 2000, he continued to gain more professional qualifications after joining Taylor Design. These helped Stephen develop and refine his strong design, communication and organisational skills which he has brought back to us after a spell working with Stephenson Bell Architects on high profile residential and commercial projects.

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Jonathan Ravenscroft BA (Hons) MArch

Associate

Jonathan graduated in Architecture from the University of Sheffield. He has experience in the distribution, health and commercial sectors as well as over 10 years’ experience with Taylor Design Architects where he qualified as an architect and has moved up the ranks to Associate level. He is proficient in BIM and enjoys the challenges running a project on site brings.

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Oliver Veitch-Smith BA (Hons) BArch (Dist) MA (Dist)

Associate

Oliver has over 15 years of construction industry experience within the commercial and healthcare sectors. He enjoys working with his clients to ensure quality at every stage of the design process. Oliver joined Taylor Design in 2016 and studied at the Manchester School of Architecture. Since joining Oliver has been promoted to Associate.

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Martin Blakeley BA (Hons) Arch, Dip Arch, RIBA

Associate

There’s no substitute for experience; and Martin has been with Taylor Design for over 25 years after graduating from Manchester Polytechnic School of Architecture. He brings a technically-minded approach to resolving details in every project with his in depth knowledge of the construction process.

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Hilke Thiele Dipl-Ing (FH) Arch ARB

Senior Architect

We have a strong, well-established team, Hilke has been with the Practice well over 15 years after graduating from Münster University of Applied Sciences, Germany. She has an impressive track record of successfully bringing the strong brand identities of premium manufacturer brands into life in architectural projects.

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Paul Medley BA (Hons) BArch

Architect

Paul is another of our team who has a background from Liverpool John Moores. After leaving university, he first made his mark in a London practice – focusing on prestigious residential and education projects; and it’s here that he built up his strong technical knowledge which he combines with precise and highly detailed design skills.

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Francesca Turcato

Architect

We're happy to say we've had a worldwide search for the best architectural talent; and Francesca joins us afer graduating from IUAV Architectural University of Venice. She has experience working on prestigious multi-million pound residential projects which have given her the skills needed to tackle some of the practice's most important and high-profile central London projects.

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Alia Paschali BA(Hons) MArch

Architect

Alia uses all her excellent client liaison skills as she oversees projects end-to-end, through every work stage. She is another member of our team who joined Taylor Design after graduating, then continued her studies – earning the title of ‘Architect’ whilst she was working with us.

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Raluca Pop BA (Hons) MArch

Architect

We take personal career development very seriously at Taylor Design. And we’re proud of the number of our architects who have qualified whilst working here. Raluca is a perfect example of someone who has grown and developed their skill set in our practice. This is after she graduated from the Manchester School of Architecture and worked on a number of small residential and conservation projects.

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Ian Chesworth

Architect

Ian graduated from Liverpool John Moores University in 2006 and prior to joining Talyor Design gained experience in various sectors, particularly residential design including multi-million-pound retirement living and extra-care developments where his design-led approach resulted has resulted in award-nominated schemes.

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Stephen Koehler

Senior Architectural Technician

Stephen’s been with Taylor Design for thirty years now, since graduating from the Manchester College of Building. In that time he has used his technical ability to prepare thousands of drawing packages for the practice. We’re lucky to be able to call upon the skills of one of the most experienced guys in the business.

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Paul Pilkington BSc (Hons)

Architectural Technologist

After being awarded his degree by Bolton University in 2005, Paul picked up almost a decade’s experience in the residential, commercial and higher education sectors. It was here that he developed his extensive knowledge of Building Information Modelling, it’s this process which he uses to deliver projects smoothly, logically and professionally from planning through to construction.

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Emily Lloyd

Architectural Technologist

Emily completed an apprenticeship and a HNC in building studies at Wrexham College. Since then, she has gained experience in a variety of sectors these include schools, housing, and commercial buildings. Joining Taylor Design has allowed Emily to expand her construction knowledge and develop her site skills whilst retaining the attention to detail so often required in this profession.

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Sean Williamson BA (Hons)

Architectural Visualiser

Sean brings our architect’s vision to life with his beautifully realised 3D visualisations, animations and technical illustrations. He graduated from Blackpool & The Fylde College in 2003 with a degree in Technical & Information Illustration, however he still keeps right up to date with the newest, most innovative developments in VR and visualisation which complement his photography skills.

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Katherine Baker BA (Hons)

Interior Designer

A passion for design and its commercial potential led to Katherine gaining her degree from Nottingham Trent University in Interior Architecture/Design. Since joining Taylor Design in 2013, Katherine’s outstanding career achievement continuous to be the implementation of the Bentley CI across the brand’s global portfolio. She thrives on interior design focused projects and opportunity to collaborate with our Retailer groups on their brand developments.

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Charlotte Stone BA(Hons) MArch

Architectural Assistant

After qualifying with a Masters’ at Manchester School of Architecture, Charlotte re-joined the practice to continue her studies for the Part 3 qualification. While at MSA she focused her studies on retrofitting historic buildings and focused her dissertation on wellbeing and the built environment. Charlotte completed her Part 1 at Taylor Design in 2019 gaining experience in the automotive projects and now continues to work with multiple clients including the Al Mulla group in Kuwait and enjoys taking projects through to construction.

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Luke Bonnell

Architectural Assistant

Luke has successfully completed his BA(Hons) degree at Leeds Beckett Universty, he has joined the practice for his year out placement before returning to university to under take another 2 years.

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Callum Forrester BSc(Hons) MArch

Architectural Assistant

With having been awarded a BSc in Architecture at Sheffield Hallam University and a Masters of Architecture at the University of Salford, Callum is a proactive individual with a thriving passion for design. He has joined Taylor Design to gain more experience in preparation for his Part 3 qualification. Callum thoroughly enjoys using his digital and illustrative skills to pitch his ideas and projects.

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Xiaowen Liang

Architectural Assistant

Xiaowen joined our team upon completing her master's degree at Manchester School of Architecture, in order to pursue further studies for the Part 3 qualification. Throughout her study at MSA, she specialized in heritage and renovation. Joining Taylor Design Architects has greatly enhanced her knowledge and skills, while her unwavering passion for the profession has facilitated rapid her growth.

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Kimberley Rogers BSc(Hons)

Practice Accountant

After studying accounting and finance at Salford University, Kim completed her professional exams within private practice. She now joins us as our practice accountant.

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Vikki Halsey BA (Hons)

Practice Administrator

We certainly appreciate that it takes the patience of a saint to calmly organise so many architects busy with so many projects; which is possibly where Vikki’s degree in Religious Studies comes in so useful. Working together Kimberley, Vikki helps to keep everything running smoothly. Vikki has also led the company to acquiring ISO 9001 and 14001 accreditations in quality and environmental management.

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Careers

Taylor Design is always on the look-out for talented and creative individuals – from enthusiastic graduates to seasoned professionals. If you’d like to join our forward-thinking, energetic team, send us your CV and portfolio. We’ll be in touch.

Contact

Awards

  • LABC Building Excellence award 2014 winner
    Mercedes Benz Gatwick
  • LABC Working Relationship Best Architect/Agent 2009
    Mercedes Benz Preston
  • Aylesbury Vale DC Top Merit Award 2002
    Dutton Forshaw Land Rover Aylesbury
  • Wyre Borough Council Civic Conservation and Design Award 2001
    Dutton Forshaw Land Rover Brock