Our Team

Chris Dyson has worked for 25 years in the arena of both public and private buildings. Chris read Architecture at Oxford Brookes University and the Mackintosh School of Architecture at the University of Glasgow where, following a number of awards and nominations, he was offered his Masters in Architecture. He then moved to London to work for James Stirling Michael Wilford and Associates (JSMWA), initially working on competition projects such as Le Grande Bibliotheca National in Paris, and the Tokyo and Kyoto Forum projects. These and many other projects have been widely and internationally published.

Chris became an Associate at Michael Wilford and Partners (as the practice became known after the death of Sir James Stirling in 1992), having been involved in a number of projects including Temasek Polytechnic in Singapore, the Singapore Arts Centre, The Tate Liverpool, Abando Transport Interchange development in Bilbao, B Braun & Sto production facilities in Europe and the House of History, and Music School, in Stuttgart.

Chris went on to become a Design Director at Sir Terry Farrell’s London studio, working on projects in Swiss Cottage, Greenwich Peninsula and a number of successful competition submissions in mainland China, subsequently realised for CITIC, the state owned petroleum company, and the Finance Tower, Shenzhen—at 441.8m tall it is one of the world’s tallest buildings. The understanding which this experience gave him enables him to conceive and design connected public spaces which can be engaged with intuitively, without resorting to grand or affected gestures.

In 2003 Chris established Chris Dyson Architects, initially in collaboration with Michael Wilford with whom he prepared designs for a New Museum of Africa, outside Cape Town in South Africa. Since incorporating the practice Chris has established a significant track record working on a variety of complex and interesting projects including the Earl’s Court Masterplan for Capital & Counties Properties PLC, the RAF Museum at Hendon and a distinctive collection of one-off designs for private clients. Based in Spitalfields, London, where Chris has lived for 20 years, the practice undertook many of its early projects in this particular Conservation Area. Through this experience Chris and his team have honed their skills in intelligent conservation and sensitive building design.

Chris Dyson Architects LLP is a Chartered RIBA practice and is widely published, which has received many awards and is frequently a regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy Summer Show. Today this thriving practice has many experienced personnel and new and exciting commissions—including works for the Royal Parks in London’s Hyde Park, and Central London.

Chris has a reputation for working on challenging projects of all scales including many historic listed buildings and he is a design advisor to the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. The practice prides itself on a high degree of attention to detail and a flair for innovative and modern design, and frequently collaborates with artists. Chris is supported by partners Mathew Witts, formerly of Flacq. Together they represent a family of talented and committed people.

Mathew joined Chris Dyson Architects in 2010 and became a partner in 2014.  He runs a design studio, is responsible for office processes and staff development.

Mathew has over 15 years experience as a project running architect and team leader.  He has a track record of working with private clients, developers and local authorities to produce exceptional, award winning buildings.  He uses his oversight role to effectively organise design teams and set project milestones.

Mathew’s design studio was responsible for delivering a new café building in Crystal Palace Park for the London Borough of Bromley,  received listed building consent for the renovation of 28 listed early Victorian houses in Whitechapel for Londonewcastle and have received outline planning permission for a cluster of mixed-used buildings as part of the redevelopment of Bishopsgate Goodsyard for Hammerson / Ballymore.

Before becoming a partner, Mathew was project architect for the Clerkenwell Cooperage, a residential conversion of a barrel factory, which won a RIBA London Award and a British Homes Award for Best One Off House.

Mathew is the partner in charge of offices processes.  In this capacity he has gained ISO9001 accreditation for the office and is responsible for staff development.

Before joining Chris Dyson Architects Mathew worked for FLACQ,  where he worked on the redevelopment of Kings Cross station, and at BDP, where he worked on the Liverpool One Masterplan.

James was one of CDA earliest employees after meeting Chris Dyson at Farrells, they worked together on the successful planning application for Greenwich Peninsula Masterplan. James joined Chris in 2004 and worked on CDA’s earliest projects which include the Armed Forces Memorial, Gasworks Cottage, Maple Court and Museum of South Africa.

After going through a broad experience at large, multi-disciplinary and boutique practices, James returns to CDA as an experienced architect with over 20 years of industry knowledge covering a wide range of sectors from the commercial office to tall towers, private and large residential schemes, retail, masterplans, industrial, aviation, infrastructure, educational, sports stadia design, hospitality and cultural projects.

He has been successful in delivering many successful planning applications, winning major design competitions and has excellent management of design and consultant teams, client relationships and collecting awards for most of his projects.

After re-joining to CDA, James has been focused in bringing his large body of knowledge into the practice to develop CDA’s mixed-use and large buildings expertise by using its core strength of sensitive and thoughtful design and taking this to the next scale.

James is also passionate about training the next generation of architects and is RIBA Mentor and Part 3 Examiner at Oxford Brookes University.

It is very rewarding to be part of a team that shares my enthusiasm, dedication and attention to detail. Joining the practice some 10 years ago I have had the opportunity to progress projects of various scales from initial design through to completion.

One of the most gratifying parts of working in this profession is to stand with a happy client at the end of the process and share in their satisfaction of what we have achieved whether a new build, transformation of a space or the reinstatement of an element lost to history.

I love that I can be part of a process that provides people with something which is so personal to them.

Clara joined Chris Dyson Architects in February 2015. She graduated from l’Ecole Nationale Superieure d’Architecture de Marseille in 2010, obtaining her full qualification in 2011.

Prior to her employment at Chris Dyson Architects Clara has worked as a Part 2 Architectural Assistant for Christophe Gulizzi Architecte in Marseille on a variety of medium to large scale educational, leisure and sports projects. She then worked as a Project Architect for Adrien Champsaur Architecture before moving to London.

Clara believes inspiration and creativity are stimulated by diverse sources and is also very interested in the idea of introducing the ‘new’, in respect of the existing. She wishes to try and design from the skeleton to every muscle, tendon and skin cell to create a whole with very specific atmospheres. Therefore she considers the detailed design process as one of the key stages and particularly enjoys it.

Karsten joined CDA in October 2019. He graduated with a Diploma in Architecture at HTW Dresden and worked in Germany for 10 years, mainly on residential and refurbishment projects, before moving to the UK.

From 2016 to 2019 Karsten worked as a Project Lead at Adjaye Associates where he was in charge of a residential project in Munich and also worked on public projects like the National Cathedral of Ghana and 4 cultural pavilions in Efua Sutherland Park in Accra.

During his time at CDA, Karsten has been involved in a range of residential projects as well as the New Greenhill building at the Harrow Arts Centre.

Koryn joined CDA in 2015 after graduating from the Mackintosh School of Architecture at The Glasgow School of Art.

She’s been involved in many interesting projects, ranging from sensitive restorations and extensions, to complete new-build schemes in and around London.

She feels motivated by the challenges of the design process and the satisfaction of delivering tailor-made solutions to each individual project, site, and client.

Diana joined Chris Dyson in October 2016, after completing her postgraduate studies at University of Westminster, and her Undergraduate at University of Sheffield. Prior to joining Chris Dyson Architects, Diana worked for OMI Architects in Manchester, where she assisted with the construction of multi dwelling towers and Ty Anwen, a bespoke residential mental health service in Bedwas, Wales (winner of MSA Built Residential Scheme Award).

During her time at CDA, Diana has been involved in a range of exciting residential projects, while working through all the RIBA stages. She completed her Part 3 at University of Westminster becoming a fully qualified Architect in October 2018.

Min joined Chris Dyson Architects in August 2020. Back in 2011 Min first interned at CDA. He graduated with a Bachelor and Master in Architecture from the Glasgow School of Art in 2014. He previously worked at Archer Humphrys Architects. There he worked on the refurbishment of Grade II listed buildings including KOKO Camden and Grade I listed buildings Admiralty Arch conversion project.

During his time, he appeared in the interview in British council and design magazine. He won the youngest award winner in international sustainable architecture competitions. He also worked for Samsung where he got involved in the Samsung Showcase projects in Coal Drop Yard and Vietnam focusing on cultural projects in Cheil Worldwide.

Min values the time to understand the particular culture and context of architecture in order to be able to design a building that will really communicate with the people and surroundings.

Marina joined Chris Dyson Architects in April 2019 as an intern having graduated with a Diploma in Architecture from the Mackenzie Presbyterian University in Sao Paulo.

She previously worked as an intern in the Historical Heritage Department at Sao Paulo City Hall focusing on the preservation of public listed buildings and monuments.

She believes that preserve the existent architecture is a way to keep the history alive conserving the memories and identity of a place. Also, she considers that new projects can coexist in harmony with the existent ones when the design process is conceived respecting elements such as materials, shape, mass, ornamental details and historical context.

Andrew joined Chris Dyson Architects in March 2020, having graduated from Technical University Dublin in 2019 with an honours degree.

Prior to this, Andrew worked with Newmark Architects on a host of bespoke residential projects. During his time in CDA he has been involved in both residential and public schemes, most notably the New Greenhill Building for Harrow Arts Centre.

Andrew is particularly concerned with sustainability and believes architects are uniquely positioned to reduce the immense energy consumption of the modern construction industry. For him, opting for renewal and conservation as well designing robust and lasting buildings is critical for a viable future. Andrew enjoys working with a practise with a shared concern.

Olusola joined Chris Dyson Architects in March 2021. Having graduated from University of Westminster, he is now working as Part 1 Architectural Assistant.

He has gained experience working for ZAP Architects where he worked predominantly on projects in the residential sector. His experience in BIM modelling and visualization will be of benefit to CDA.

Olusola enjoys the approach that Chris Dyson Architects have with reinventing spaces with modern ideas and materiality while preserving the site context. He is excited to work through the design process on challenging projects with CDA, which marry subtle modernization and conservation.

Ellisse joined Chris Dyson Architects in August 2019 upon completion of her Undergraduate Architecture Degree at the University of Nottingham where she achieved first-class honours.

Ellisse enjoys the approach that Chris Dyson Architects has to the complex nature of historic buildings, working in terms of both conservation and development. Ellisse enjoys working through all design stages with her favourite being concept design.

Ellisse is a keen musician having been a choral scholar at university and now singing with the London Symphony Chorus. She believes that the two disciplines are intrinsically linked and would love to see an architecture which blends the two together.

Alannah joined Chris Dyson Architects in March 2021, having achieved her undergraduate architecture degree at Oxford Brookes University.

She enjoys the diverse range of skills architecture embodies as it allows her to dive into many different aspects of the arts and academia, she also has a deep love for colour.

Alannah values CDA’s focus on existing, historic buildings and sustainable design, as she believes it brings an extra dimension of creativity to a project and results in very clever, perpetual architecture.