Studio

Martin Dobbs
Director

Martin is a Chartered Architectural Technologist and Building Engineer with over 30 years’ experience designing, detailing and delivering buildings in a variety of sectors.

With a passion for producing high quality, well detailed buildings, Martin enjoys working closely with contractors from early design stages through to completion on site, helping to ensure delivery is within budget and on programme.

His expertise includes all aspects of residential (from bespoke one-off homes to strategic masterplanning), historic and listed buildings, hotels, commercial and education projects. This wide range of experience has allowed Martin to develop many long lasting and fruitful relationships with clients, consultants and contractors. He leaves no stone unturned in delivering, driving and managing projects with meticulous attention to detail. It’s safe to say he enjoys a challenge and finding new ways to drive projects forward.

Always keen to share his enthusiasm for architecture and construction, Martin is a strong team player and dedicated director – he’s always the first one in and last one out of the studio. When he does manage to take some time off, he loves to travel and seek out new adventures, which has recently seen him trekking in Patagonia and husky sledding in Finland.

Dai Hannaford
Director

Dai is an Architect with over ten years’ experience across a variety of sectors. He has worked on and delivered a wide range of projects from residential and mixed-use developments in London, to new school and university facilities across the country.

He enjoys working in the early stages of projects, helping clients to define the brief and using his experience to provide innovative solutions even in the most challenging of situations.

Dai also has substantial experience of project delivery and taking those exciting initial concepts through the technical stages and on to site. He enjoys building successful working relationships with contractors to ensure those all important details that really elevate the quality of the finished building are considered throughout.

He works across multiple projects and interacts with all staff members on aspects of project work and practice management, and he encourages, mentors and motivates everyone to achieve to the best of their abilities. This enthusiasm occasionally overlaps with his passion for triathlon and multi-sport competitions and has resulted in studio entries to various events which always seem like such a good idea at the time.

Mark Amey
Director

Mark is a Chartered Architect with over 15 years’ in the profession. He has a wide range of experience in the commercial, mixed-use, residential and education sectors, with special expertise in designing and delivering hotel and leisure projects.

Mark has been responsible for designing and delivering a wide variety of projects across the UK – ranging from Madeira Road Student Accommodation in Bournemouth to multiple schemes for BLOC Hotels across London and Birmingham. He has a passion for producing high quality, well detailed buildings and enjoys working closely with clients and contractors to ensure efficient delivery.

Mark is always up for a challenge and is one of the most competitive members of the team – whether he’s battling it out on the golf course or playing casual table tennis at lunch, he’ll always be looking for the win.

Dave Evans
Associate

A Chartered Architect since 1997, and former qualified Architectural Technician since 1987, Dave has over 30 years’ experience of working with both private and public sector clients. He combines the knowledge and skills of a lead designer and project leader with a solid background in construction techniques and technical design.

Dave’s main areas of expertise are conceptual design, helping clients develop their project briefs, early stage feasibility studies, site masterplanning, liaison with planning authorities and other key stakeholders, and public consultations. Dave is a skilled visualiser, able to quickly translate clients’ ideas and project briefs into three dimensional sketches, to explore potential design solutions.

Dave has a track record of delivering successful planning approvals across the south for contemporary luxury houses and apartments, both new and remodelled, many of which are on sensitive, rural and waterside locations. He also has considerable experience in education projects, including higher and further education schemes, from masterplanning of school and college campuses, to the detailed design of new teaching facilities.

When not hunched over a stack of tracing paper with a fast-moving felt tip pen in hand, Dave likes to try and get out on his motorbike (when he’s not taking it apart to ‘fix’ it).

Anne Whitley
Operations Manager

Anne joined the team here at BrightSpace in Summer 2020 after working in the construction industry for many years in a variety of roles. Her experience stretches across all aspects of business support and has known the Directors here for many years prior to joining the team. 

She has two grown-up daughters and recently received the amazing news of becoming a grandmother. When outside of the office, you can catch Anne and her two baby dogs walking on the beach or exploring the countryside. 

Jonathan Taylor
Associate

Jonathan is a Chartered Architect with over 11 years’ experience in architectural practice. He has worked across many sectors at all work stages, with a particular expertise in residential led mixed-use urban projects and residential masterplanning. As part of his studies he specialised in Urban Design.

Since joining us in 2014, Jonathan has worked on several mixed-use schemes in Bournemouth and Southampton and been involved in many challenging planning applications with a complex assembly of uses and highly constrained sites. He enjoys being involved in the early stages of concept design and likes to see projects organically evolve through to completion. He uses his creativity, eye for detail, problem-solving ability and commercial understanding to deliver projects that meet the client’s aspirations from both design and financial perspectives.

Outside of the studio, you’ll find Jonathan on the south coast fishing for his supper, or cheering on his beloved Tottenham Hotspur as they fight for that Champions League place.

Angela Loperfido
Senior Architect

Angela joined the team in the summer of 2019 and has over 15 years’ experience working across many sectors. Graduating and qualifying as an Architect at the University of Architecture in Florence, Italy, she has always had a strong interest for archeological sites and historical buildings.

Working across all the work stages, Angela has a particular interest in the residential and education sector, building a strong working relationship with clients and contractors to ensure the successful delivery of each project. 

When not in the office, Angela loves to explore new places, practicing yoga, and being a ‘seasonal runner’ in the spring and summer. 

Charlotte Earnshaw
Architect

Charlotte joined BrightSPACE in 2018 as a Part II Graduate from the Oxford School of Architecture. Having specialised in architectural regeneration, Charlotte has a passion for reuse of spaces and believes that the evolution of existing architecture is the key to successful design intervention. Following a year of dedication as the Vice President and Lectures Coordinator of OxArch (the Oxford Architecture Society), Charlotte received the Hunter Johnston Doric Prize for outstanding contribution to the School of Architecture.

With a passion for community-led design, Charlotte is interested in working on well-integrated and socially aware design interventions. Despite her enthusiasm for teamwork, Charlotte is hungry for success and cannot wait to take on the competition in lunch hour table tennis tournaments.

Aside from architecture, Charlotte loves skiing and spends as much time as possible on the mountains. She also tours the UK in her VW camper at weekends and can be found outdoors hiking, biking, climbing and coasteering.

David Martin
Associate

David is a Chartered Architectural Technologist with over 15 years’ experience. During this time he has worked on and delivered a wide range of projects gaining experience within the high-end residential, hotel, education and listed buildings sectors.

David produces carefully researched and detailed working drawings with a focus on performance and commercial efficiency. He enjoys working closely with the contractor to ensure his technical knowledge and love of detailing buildings is reflected in the final product.

As an AFC Bournemouth supporter, when David isn’t enjoying the club’s current glory years at the weekends, he can be found off-road on his mountain bike.

Melissa Balloni Carpino
Senior Architectural Designer

Mel recently joined the team as a Senior Architectural Designer in the Summer of 2021. She has worked both in the UK and Brazil for the last 20 years and has now settled locally in Bournemouth.

Mel's home country is Brazil. Graduating and qualifying as an Architect and Urbanist from Mackenzie University in São Paulo, Brazil, she has worked in a variety of sectors including residential, master planning, educational, and public buildings.

Her passion for architecture is clear to see and she loves the whole design process, from briefings with the client to following through with the technical stages. Mel is fantastic at building strong working relationships with clients and contractors to ensure the successful delivery of her projects.

When Mel is out of the office, she loves to explore new places, travel, explore with her camera, and play tennis. She is also a big lover of having family and friends round for a meal and a good laugh.

Tom Crisp
Architectural Technologist

Tom joined the BrightSPACE team in 2021 as an Architectural Technologist. He studied BA (Hons) Architectural Design & Technology at Solent University and graduated in 2022. He is passionate about Architectural Technology and is an expert in the latest tooling and techniques including Revit, AutoCAD and 3D/ VR rendering engines. At university, he had taken interest in sustainable building design and technologies. This experience has been valuable for current projects at BrightSPACE designing green roofs and working to strict U-Values.

Outside of the office, Tom enjoys playing racquetball and is a keen supporter of Chelsea FC. He also likes to experience the outdoors by going on regular walks and enjoys various water sports including boating, water skiing and paddle boarding.

Ailsa Holdcroft
Architect

Ailsa excelled in her university studies, achieving first-class honours for her Part II and studying abroad in Germany at the Dessau Institute of Architecture where she was awarded the Frank Horton Prize for most interesting drawing during her masters degree.

Enthusiastic and hardworking, Ailsa is always on the lookout for the next exciting project to bring to the studio. She has worked across many sectors and has a healthy appetite to learn new skills and apply her innovative presentations skills to our work. Ailsa is always organising the next design charrette and gets everyone together for our weekly staff meetings, discussing all things new in the world of architecture and design.

As well as working hard here in the studio, Ailsa is up at the crack of dawn everyday looking after her horses, Rufus and April.

Philip Luke
Senior Technologist | BIM Coordinator

Philip has over 10 years’ experience working on residential and commercial projects.

With a strong technical background and a passion for design, Philip joined us after returning to the UK from Australia in 2016. His enthusiasm and professional approach support the creation of strong working relationships with colleagues, clients and consultants.

Philip’s experience of BIM procedures has been key in our push to deliver projects to BIM level 2 standards. Philip provides training and assistance to all members of staff in using Revit and other BIM software.

After sitting at his desk delivering project after project, Philip enjoys to get outside and cycle, run, walk, snowboard and surf. Although the waves are a bit on the small side compared to Perth, he’s glad that he doesn’t have to worry about any sharks making a surprise appearance.

Joao Virtudes
Architectural Technologist

After completing his MSc Sustainable Building Design at Southampton Solent University, Joao joined the BrightSpace team in 2020 as an Architectural Technologist. His past experiences include working for luxury retail clients, assisting with the delivery of complex design projects within the likes of Harrods and Selfridges in London. 

In his spare time, Joao is a big football follower and tunes in weekly to watch his favourite team Sporting CP from Portugal, Lisbon. Being an avid traveller, Joao is always hopping on and off planes, with his favourite place visited so far being Bali.

Nichole Tumbaga
Architectural Technologist

Nichole joined the BrightSPACE team in 2019, after graduating from Southampton Solent University with a First-Class Honours degree in Architectural Design and Technology. While at University, Nichole received the award for Best Landmark Project in Memory of the Titanic from CIAT. 

Born in Florence, Nichole has always had a passion for beauty and arts. She is keen to share her enthusiasm for photography, design and fashion and loves travelling and going to the theatre. Already thinking about doing her Masters, Nichole is looking to learn and master her skills in physical architecture 3D modelling and experimenting with different materials. 

Nichole likes to keep fit by attending gym and fitness classes but has told us she will never give up chocolates, cakes, cookies, or ice cream…

Conrad Janjawa
Part 1 Architectural Assistant

Conrad recently joined the BrightSpace team in the summer of 2022. He was born in Zimbabwe and later moved to England when he was five and grew up in a small town called Bordon. Conrad studied Architecture at Portsmouth University and graduated in July 2021. During his studies, he developed a liking for Scandinavian design which incorporates a strong sense of functionality as well as being minimalistic and simplistic. He learnt many different aspects about design, and as a growing student he believes that the spaces we design should create a closer connection to each other alongside nature and the surrounding environment. ‘These connections play a big role in cultivating our physical and mental wellbeing. Therefore, the architecture we produce should always look to enhance these qualities.’

Growing up Conrad always had a keen interest in sports and keeping a healthy active lifestyle outside of architecture. He enjoys boxing competitively and training in his local gym. Conrad also has an interest in cooking in his spare time and is always keen to learn new recipes to add to his cookbook.

Lola Hall
Part 1 Architectural Assistant

Lola joined the BrightSpace team in 2022 after recently graduating with a BA (Hons) Architecture Degree at the Arts University Bournemouth. During her final year, she explored the development of playgrounds throughout history and researched into sensory play and its importance for child development. 

Lola’s interests include the residential, commercial, and educational sectors, but also keen to learn more about the technical aspects of design which was briefly touched upon during her time at university.

During her free time, she enjoys finding new places to go on long walks and she loves a Friday afternoon pint after work.  Recently she has travelled to Budapest and Portugal, and hoping to explore more places soon.

Sophie Macpherson
Part 2 Architectural Assistant

Sophie has recently joined the BrightSPACE team as a Part 2 Architectural Assistant. Having completed her undergraduate at Oxford Brookes, then her Masters at Cardiff University in 2022, Sophie has already gained a few years of experience working in practice.

As part of her Master’s degree, Sophie’s final project was based in Kochi, India. Sophie worked within a team creating a research-led urban strategy to improve the liveability of Kochi, the final research book received a nomination for an RIBA Silver Medal. Her personal project focused on protecting the unique practice of Pokkali farming, highlighting the cultural and ecological significance losing this traditional practice would have on the people of Kochi, and developing an architectural intervention to support its future. 

In Sophie’s free time she likes to keep fit by going to the gym and enjoying the scenery in the New Forest by going for a run. Having grown up in Bournemouth, she enjoys spending time at the beach, either exploring the coastline or socialising with a BBQ. She is an avid traveller and has explored Japan, Morocco, South Africa, Hong Kong and many other countries.

Rebecca Talbot
Graphic Designer

Rebecca recently joined the BrightSPACE team as Graphic Designer. She graduated from University of Portsmouth in 2021 with a First Class Honours degree in architecture. Throughout her architectural career, she has discovered a passion for visualisations and graphic design and is very excited about getting involved with all the projects and visualisations that will come her way.

Growing up, Rebecca has always been passionate about sports and art. In her free time, she’s always busy being active, going for a run, paddle boarding, playing netball, or relaxing drawing realistic animal portraits or illustrating.

Kaelan Thomas
Part 1 Architectural Assistant

Kaelan joined the BrightSPACE team in July 2023 as Part 1 Architectural Assistant after completing his second year at Loughborough University with a First Class Honours grade. During his educational career, he has practiced sustainable and vernacular architecture. He takes a conceptual approach to his designs and is looking forward to developing his skills with the BrightSPACE team.

Outside of architecture, he loves being outdoors doing water-sports or mountain-biking. He also enjoys following motorsports and cricket as well as travelling and getting to explore new places.