People

 

Scott Wallace, MA (hons) MArch RIAS RIBA, Chartered Project Architect, Managing Director

RIAS Accredited in Architectural Conservation, CPD Certified in Building Energy Modelling Using PHPP

Scott joined EKJN Architects in 2007. He is a Chartered Project Architect, having previously gained a Master of Architecture with Distinction and Master of Arts with Honours (First Class) and the George Simpson Prize for Professional Studies at Edinburgh University. He became a Director in the practice in 2017, and now leads the EKJN team as Managing Director.

Having previously worked at Ryder Architecture in Glasgow, Scott has experience in a wide range of sectors including education, housing, retail and conservation. As well as having a strong passion for design, Scott has experience in carrying out detailed surveys, obtaining Council Permissions, producing detailed construction drawings, liaising with contractors, leading the production of NBS Specifications for Tender packages and inspecting works on site. Scott is an experienced Principal Designer to assist clients in compliance the CDM Regulations during the Pre-Construction and Construction phases of projects.

Scott has experience integrating renewable technologies into alterations and newbuilds, including the incorporation of ground source and air source heat pumps into existing buildings. Scott gained Certification in Building Energy Modelling Using PHPP (Passive House Planning Package), meaning he is the person to talk to about energy-efficient design, insulation upgrades, passive solar design, stack-effect ventilation, heat pumps, solar panels, photovoltaics and wind turbines. He is a member of the Association for Environment Conscious Building and the Scottish Ecological Design Association.

In 2020 Scott was awarded the RIAS Accreditation in Conservation Architecture. He is a member of the Society of Protection for Ancient Buildings and has experience of conservation and repair of all grades of listed buildings, scheduled monuments, statues and sculptures as well as completing a number or projects in conservation areas across the UK. He has been heavily involved in the alteration and conversion of several listed buildings and historic buildings within conservation areas, at all work stages from concept through to completion.

 

Kasia Kochanowicz, MSc RIAS IARP, Chartered Project Architect

Kasia joined EKJN in 2021 after working previously for large and small architecture practices in Edinburgh and Poland. Kasia also previously worked for her own practice in Edinburgh before joining EKJN.

Kasia has experience of designing projects across a variety of project sizes and typologies including housing, medical, education, commercial and industrial construction.

Kasia brings experience of integrating sustainable construction methods and renewable technologies into buildings, including incorporation of heat pumps and research into straw bale houses.

Kasia is a UK registered Architect and became a Chartered Architect with the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland in 2022.

 

Alastair Nicol, BA (hons) Dip Arch, Project Architect

Alastair joined EKJN in 2018. Alastair has had a long and varied career including time at NGP Architecture, Somner MacDonald Architects, Fouin and Bell, Gray Marshall and Associates and the Hugh Martin Partnership. Prior to that he spent some time working with Carlos Fogg Architects in Bogata, Colombia, with the Percy Thomas Partnership in Hong Kong and Pheroze Kudianval in Mumbai.

Alastair trained at Heriot Watt/Edinburgh College of Art where he was awarded the Edinburgh Civic Design Medal by EAA.

Alastair is experienced in sustainable building construction. He worked as a site-based stonemason for a time, and worked on the construction of straw bale and rammed earth buildings in the UK and in Spain.

 

Marina Petropoulou, BArch MArch, Architectural Assistant

Marina joined us in 2017. Trained in Dundee, she has experience working in practices in Athens, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Marina has a particular interest in the repair of traditional buildings, and has gained Personal Traditional Construction Skills Training in the Surface Repair of Stone and Masonry Repair in Traditional Buildings. She is interested in not only the physical preservation of listed buildings but also innovative design which respects the unique heritage, fulfils modern needs and creates a plan for the future.

Since joining EKJN Marina has worked on an eclectic mix of conservation and restoration projects including the conversion of the former Clydesdale bank in Fraserburgh to create a hotel, the conversion a listed building on Linlithgow's High Street into a wine bar, the renovation of dilapidated outbuildings into domestic ancillary accommodation in Falkirk, and the redevelopment of an existing stables development in West Lothian.

Marina is a registered Architect in Greece and is currently working towards her Part 3 exams to gain Architectural Accreditation in the UK.

 

Shereen Cassidy, BAcc(hons) MRes, Office Administrator

Shereen joined EKJN in 2021 and brings a wealth of business management skills to the practice including a Degree in Accounting and Finance, a Masters in Educational Research, an NC in Business Administration, a Diploma in Business Communication Skills and a Diploma in Human Resource Management.

As well as making sure the office keeps running effectively, Shereen provides essential support to council applications and project handover processes.

 

Jon Newey, BA (hons) BArch (hons) RIAS, Chartered Architect, Consultant

RIAS Accredited Sustainable Designer, RIAS Accredited in Architectural Conservation

Jon registered as an architect in 1989. He formed EKJN architects in partnership with Ed Kelly at the end of 2005 after several years as an Associate with Edinburgh-based practice NGP architects.

Having worked previously as a project architect with the Cochrane McGregor Group in Edinburgh, HLM Architects in Glasgow, Ritchie and Rennie Architects in Sheffield and Crampin-Pring-McCartney in Nottingham, Jon has experience of designing and managing a wide variety of projects including social housing, retail complexes, hotels, railway stations, medical centres, a prison, the flagship headquarters building for Standard Life Bank, several restaurants, holiday accommodation, schools, community centres and non-traditional council house repairs, not to mention a large number of smaller domestic commissions and new-build houses.

In 2017 Jon was awarded the RIAS Accreditation in Sustainable Design and RIAS Accreditation in Conservation Architecture, one of only a handful of Architects to achieve both RIAS accreditations.