Studio
Studio B.A.D Architects are a forward-thinking design collective, founded by Darren Bray in early 2019 with a focus on using design to curate place. Working with the team is more than just engaging in an architectural service, we believe in creating long term relationships, built on trust and mutual respect.
We enjoy working on a wide variety of work, from private dwellings, commercial redevelopments, Listed buildings, housing schemes, urban reactivation projects and civic regeneration. At the centre of all projects the studio push the idea of re-use, re-imagination, re-purpose and re-generation to create rich and interesting schemes which have minimal impact to the environment.
Darren Bray, Founder & Director
Darren set up Studio B.A.D in early 2019, after many years working in a boutique studio, mainly focused on private, high-end residential projects. He set up independently to focus on using architecture to help resolve 21st century issues, such as environmental, political and economic challenges we all face today.
After many years working in private practice Darren has extensive experience working across a vast range of projects, from community schemes to the high end residential dwellings.
Previously Darren was the Technical Director for the renowned PAD studio; the RIBA Award winning architectural practice based in the New Forest. As part of the founding team, Darren was integral in establishing the studio and worked across their portfolio of work, including Canoe Lake Leisure Tennis Pavilion (winner of the RIBA Award) and The Barn and Office (winner of BD Architect of the Year Small Project.)
Darren actively engages with architectural education, helping to inspiring and supporting the next generation whilst also continuing his own, on-going journey in learning. Currently he is running the year 1 & 3 design studios at Reading School of Architecture; is an external examiner at Lincoln School of Architecture, Portsmouth School of Architecture and London Metropolitan School of Architecture, and he is a visiting critic at Brighton Interior Architecture School. He is also very proud to be part of the RIBA Role Models imitative, helping to promote architecture to all, making it more inclusive.
Amanda Moore
Amanda Moore is a RIBA qualified architect and artist, having worked on many temporary and permanent public art commissions. Amanda studied Architecture at the Bartlett School of Architecture, Sculpture at the Royal College of Art and Fine Art at the Ruskin School, University of Oxford.
We share an interest in multi-disciplinary projects that bring together a range of collaborators and an openness to explore more light-touch approaches to built environment projects. I have enjoyed working with Amanda on the Bedford Place project, looking forward to many more collaborations.
Laura Whitney
Laura has worked on a wide variety of projects since graduating from the University of Portsmouth with a Master of Architecture; from community driven public realm projects and ‘people-first’ urban master planning schemes, to sustainable community spaces and sensitive private dwellings.
She brings her passion for sustainability to the Studio BAD collective, both social and ecological, with a keen interest in natural building and a strong belief in the power of community involvement.
Karolina Stephenson
Karolina is a talented designer; graduating from Portsmouth University with a distinction for her Part 2 in 2023. Additionally she has received numerous design awards, including the Chris Henderson drawing prize, Sustainable Social Legacy Award and has even been nominated for the RIBA Silver Medal Award.
Whilst working in practice she has been involved in the design of a small social housing scheme in Hampshire, a new performing arts centre and new science block for Portsmouth Grammar School.
Collaborators
Aston Oakes
Aston was a part of the first cohort studying architecture at the University of Reading, graduating in 2019 with a 1st class degree and nominations for the RIBA Bronze and Undergraduate Dissertation medals. He has since worked as an architectural assistant at Broadway Malyan in London, and Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt in Hampshire, gaining valuable experience across work stages and sectors.
With an affinity for graphically conveying ideas, he has created and launched DesignPad, an Illustration and Design studio to provide front-end creative services to other designers. He has a passion for the intersection of art and architecture, alongside interests in sustainable development and the natural world.
Roger Tyrell
Roger is a Registered Architect and Academic, with a prestigious career in Practice. He is currently a Principal Lecturer at the University of Portsmouth School of Architecture, UK, Co-Director of the Jørn Utzon Research Network (JURN) and the Associate Adjunct Professor of the University of Aalborg Department of Architecture, Design and Media Technology, Denmark and author of numerous architectural books.
Roger brings the academic theory into architectural practice, questioning everything to push boundaries, he is actively involved in many of our projects, acting as critical friend, designer, advisor, writer and being a guiding mentor to the practice. Roger and Darren have also worked in collaboration for several years, including designing and delivering a series of workshops including ‘The Place of Glorious Failure’.
https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/roger-tyrrell
Lorraine Farrelly
Professor Lorraine Farrelly is a qualified architect and the Head of Architecture at the University of Reading, where I have had the pleasure of working alongside her for several years now.
Lorraine has collaborated on several Studio BAD projects, bringing in her expertise and insight on urban design, masterplanning and mixed-use developments, to enrich our community regeneration projects.
https://www.reading.ac.uk/architecture/staff/lorraine-farrelly
Rebecca Mackellar
Rebecca Mackellar works with Studio BAD to keep our accounts and the financing side in order. She has had such a positive impact to the business, with her affinity to using new technology she has really reduced the administration time needed with running the practice and keeps me in check.
Starting her career as a British Army Officer she trained to Account Manager for School MIS Systems, then on to running her own business (serving for tourism and services industries) based in the beautiful Highlands of Scotland. She is trained as a XERO Certified Advisor and QUICKBOOKS Advanced Pro Advisor, always looking for new ways to streamline the workflow of the business.
Si Newell
Si is the founder of ‘Graphic Architecture’ a design and illustration consultancy. He has set this up in order to collaborate with other designers and organisations to provide creative visioning and illustration. As a RIBA qualified architect, and a member of The Society Of Architectural Illustrators, he has a passion for urban design, regeneration and blue sky thinking in this changing world. He has previous experience working in major architectural offices in London and the South Coast and sits on numerous design review panels. He also is a visiting tutor at the Arts University Bournemouth.
Si has worked collaboratively with us on several exciting urban regeneration projects, bringing an invaluable understanding to placemaking, creating vitality and new opportunities to our combined ideas.
Nancy Hargreaves
Nancy Hargreaves is the founder of Dock Leaf, an independent marketing consultancy which specialises in supporting the architecture, design and property sector. She brings a wealth of experience from across the spectrum of architecture, having worked for multi-national practice involved on some large scale mixed-use commercial work, to also the micro practices working on boutique extensions and renovations.
We first worked together at PAD studio, when I set up on my own practice I was keen to collaborate again as I have enjoyed her practical approach to supporting my business.
Amber Ryan
Amber is currently studying Architecture at the University of Reading; she is a hugely talented and creative individual who was recently awarded a commendation for RIBA Berkshire prize in measured drawing.
She has joined the Studio BAD collective, offering flexible design support whilst learning what we really do in practice. She brings a fresh approach, and a welcoming design attitude which makes her a pleasure to have on the team.