Holmes Miller

Accommodating, Bespoke, Collaborative – The ABC guide to mastering SEND design Inclusive design isn’t just about meeting regulations—it’s about creating environments where all students, regardless of their abilities, can truly thrive. In his latest article, Mark Ellson, Director at Holmes Miller, explores how thoughtful architectural design can enhance learning experiences for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). From sensory-friendly spaces to flexible learning environments, Mark delves into the key principles of accommodating, bespoke, and collaborative design—ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn, play, and grow in spaces tailored to their needs. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eFWZGBTv #InclusiveDesign #SEND #Architecture #HolmesMiller #EducationDesign

📣 More can-do Passivhaus Scottish School activity - Faifley Community Campus in Clydebank! Read Project Scotland write up about the £34m large educational building (including 2 primary schools, an Early Learning and Childcare Centre, and other community facilities) targeting the Passivhaus standard. The project team includes PHT Patrons A.Proctor Group Ltd. & Morrison Construction & PHT member Holmes Miller https://lnkd.in/eBbikdRC Scottish Futures Trust

We are pleased to announce our new office in Leeds to support demand for high quality public sector projects across England.  Building on the success of our work across the UK, the move follows a 20% growth in revenue in the last year.  Our presence in Leeds aligns with our vision to embed firmly within the ambitious business communities in the North, and make a positive impact on the local economy as it plans for further growth.   The Leeds office is our third UK hub, in addition to St Albans and Glasgow. The new office and team will embody the culture and values of the practice, with a strong commitment to creating people-centered, sustainable architecture. Read more here : https://lnkd.in/encz3uYP #Architecture #Architects #DesignExcellence #HolmesMiller #BuiltEnvironment #Leeds #Yorkshire #NorthOfEngland #NorthernPowerhouse #SustainableDesign #GreenArchitecture #NetZero #FutureCities #InnovativeDesign Callum Houston Mark Ellson Robert Kennedy Ryan Holmes Craig Heap Alasdair MacLean Norman Williamson David Gardner Alan Cadger Clara Garriga Ian Cooney John Joseph Burns Steven Coulson Ruaridh Nicol Chris Wotherspoon Joanne Hemmings Mariyam Afnida James Bowie

We're pleased to share some fantastic news from the Holmes Miller team! A huge congratulations to Isla Robinson, Shazil Saleem and Niall MacPherson on successfully passing their Part 3 exam and becoming fully qualified architects. This achievement is a testament to your hard work, commitment, and resilience — well done! Here’s to exciting new challenges ahead — and hopefully a little more free time too!

Very excited that this project has now been nominated for the RIAS Awards!

Our studio was busy this week with several events to celebrate International Women’s Day. On Thursday, we were delighted to welcome Holly Bruce to our Glasgow studio. Holly is a Scottish Greens Councillor for Langside, vice chair of the Environment and Liveable Neighbourhoods Committee and a leader in advancing Glasgow City Council feminist policies. We had an insightful and inspiring presentation from Holly, where she outlined how Glasgow became the UK’s first feminist city in terms of city development and the ‘feminist’ policies that have been introduced. It was great to see the new interventions aimed at making the city safer and more accessible for everyone, as well as the challenges we face in making a bigger impact. As part of our charity initiative ‘HM Gives Back’, donations were also made to Glasgow Women’s Aid. https://lnkd.in/egjG2qvn Samantha Auld Holly Bruce International Women's Day

We are privileged to be shortlisted for The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland Awards 2025 for HMP & YOI Stirling. We worked closely with the Scottish Prison Service to design this ground breaking new 100 person custodial facility for Women in Custody in Scotland. Heavily focused on mental wellbeing the trauma informed design creates a therapeutic environment with landscape and nature at it’s core. A step change from previously designed prison environments in Scotland, the overarching concept was to embed the masterplan within the landscape and the site’s richly historic and scenic surroundings. This link forms a continuous theme throughout the establishment, with a series of design features focusing on transparency, nature and light, linking a variety of landscaped courtyards and gardens, each with its own individual character designed in response to its surrounding adjacencies. We are looking forward to the judges visit and attending the Awards Reception later this summer. Scottish Prison Service Morrison Construction Mott MacDonald RYBKA FES Group David Gardner Norman Williamson Alan Cadger isabel garriga Meghan Rasmussen Linda Curr

While based at our St Albans office, our Managing Director, Callum Houston, took the opportunity to visit the site of our ongoing work at Watford Town Hall and Watford Colosseum, in collaboration with Morgan Sindall Construction and Watford Borough Council. With a few months remaining until handover, we don’t want to spoil the big reveal, but we wanted to share a small preview of some of the beautifully preserved features alongside the new, seamlessly integrated fittings. Callum said: “The careful conservation and retrofit of this Grade II Listed Building is a great example of a strong, hands-on, collaborative approach, where new interventions have been thoughtfully integrated with the building’s historic fabric. Upon completion, the exceptional quality of the space, finishes, and services being delivered on this project will make it a fantastic destination for the local community. I look forward to returning as a paying visitor to enjoy a show in the auditorium, along with pre-and post-performance entertainment in one of the many bars being created.” Mariyam Afnida James Gemmell Rachel George Rumyana Odazhieva Mark Ellson #Conservation #Architecture

We are pleased to announce that Holmes Miller has secured a place on the LHC Procurement Group/SPA (Scottish Procurement Alliance) N9 Retrofit and Decarbonisation Framework – a £660m initiative driving sustainable transformation across the built environment, running until February 2029. As one of just six consultants appointed for PAS 2035 & PAS 2038 design consultancy in Scotland and England (SE & Midlands), we are committed to delivering innovative, energy-efficient solutions. Our expert team—comprising Holmes Miller, John Gilbert Architects, Lùths Services, Wallace Whittle, and HDG Chartered Surveyors—will provide a holistic retrofit service, including: - Retrofit Assessments - Retrofit Coordination - Retrofit Design - Post-Occupancy Evaluations This framework represents a significant step towards achieving net-zero goals, and we are excited to collaborate with industry partners to make a lasting impact. Find out more here : https://lnkd.in/eUv85n3a #HolmesMiller #Sustainability #Retrofit #Decarbonisation #NetZero #LHCN9 #Innovation Ryan Holmes James Gemmell

Holmes Miller is proud to be the architect and lead designer for the replacement of HMP Barlinnie, working in close collaboration with the Scottish Prison Service, Kier Construction, and the wider Strategic Alliance team. The recent appointment of Kier Construction by The Scottish Government marks a significant step forward in delivering this transformative project. Callum Houston, Managing Director of Holmes Miller, said: “We are incredibly proud to be leading the design of HMP Glasgow, a project that represents a major step forward in modern custodial environments. Our approach focuses on creating a facility that not only meets the highest standards of security and functionality but also prioritises rehabilitation, wellbeing, and sustainability. By integrating salutogenesis principles, we are designing spaces that promote dignity and positive change. This project will set a new benchmark for custodial design in Scotland, and we look forward to seeing our vision come to life.” Read more here : https://lnkd.in/gfbSFDcY Curtins Arup FES Group Pick Everard Norman Williamson David Gardner Gordon Henderson isabel garriga Anna Kacz Shazil Saleem Deni McElroy Haydn Johnstone Gary Orr James Archer