Derek brings his 20 years of experience in the industry in the conservation and adaptation of heritage buildings, with a particular focus on sensitive, design-led solutions that meet modern building standards. With an intricate understanding of Planning Policy, Building Regulations, fire safety and heritage frameworks, he ensures every scheme balances historical integrity with contemporary performance, safety, and compliance.
Derek is especially skilled at pushing the brief intelligently -unlocking the potential of heritage buildings within the tight constraints of conservation area policy, listed building consent, and structural limitations. A firm believer that sustainability and heritage can coexist, he applies a pragmatic yet innovative approach to enhancing energy performance in historic fabric, integrating discreet environmental upgrades without compromising architectural character.
With a strong track record across some of West London’s most prestigious boroughs, Derek is a trusted advisor to clients seeking to sensitively transform period properties, combining design excellence with a deep respect for place, history, and long-term stewardship.
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Derek’s route into architecture began hands-on, training in metal fabrication, and being on site from a very young age as a somewhat apprentice carpenter. A chance conversation led to a junior technician role at Abbey Holford Rowe, where his interest in design quickly took hold. After moving to Aedas, he began a part-time degree at the University of Greenwich, completing his Diploma with Distinction in 2011.
His grounding in materials and making continues to shape his work today. Whether through sketching, digital modelling, or physical prototyping, Derek’s process is rooted in understanding how people inhabit space and how buildings evolve over time. He brings this depth of thinking to every project, from detailed heritage interventions to large-scale developments, such as the five-year evolution of Holland Park School during his decade at Aedas.
