About us
Team
Ellen Webster
Director/Architect
Ellen qualified as a Chartered Architect in 2000, having graduated with a BSc in Architecture and a PgDip in Urban Design and Masterplanning from The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen in 1998. After working in private practice in Glasgow and Perth she joined DPA in 2003 and has led the design and delivery of a wide variety of projects including the Nelson Stand at Perth Racecourse, Crossbasket Castle Hotel & Old Dunira House. In 2021 Ellen became Director and co-owner of the practice.
Jude Carter
Director/Architect
Jude qualified as a Charter Architect in 1999, having graduated with a BSc in Architecture and a PgDip in Sustainable Design and Architecture from The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen in 1998. After working in private practice in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Melbourne, Australia, as well as public sector with Historic Scotland she joined DPA in 2008. She has led numerous hotel and leisure projects both new build and refurbishment/conservation including Cromlix Hotel, Inverlochy Castle Hotel Walled Garden Refurbishment, and various projects at Crieff Hydro Hotel. In 2021 Jude became Director and co-owner of the practice.
Rod Paul
Senior Architectural Designer
Katie Bennett
Architect
Simon Gibson
Architectural Technician
Greg Carter
Architectural Technician
Gavin Anderson
Part II Architectural Assistant
Emma Robertson
Part II Architectural Assistant
Jasmine Dima
Part I Architectural Assistant
Fiona Davidson
Administrative Manager
Approach
We strongly believe that Architecture is all about people, places and relationships. For us, it is essential that we invest time and energy in getting to know the Client and what makes them ‘tick’, understanding their brief and the reasons behind the brief and also in fully understanding the site, its context and the broader setting.
For us, the most successful projects are developed in close collaboration with clients -listening closely to the brief, asking questions to further understand the brief, understanding how the organisation (or family) work and bringing client aspirations to life in tangible buildings. The aim is not just to provide the basic space requirements; through a deeper understanding of the Client, their brief and their aspirations, the building should embody their personality, the spaces should flow naturally and effortlessly to make the use of the building a positive pleasure rather than just a functional act. A deeper understanding o the site and context further enrich this approach by connecting the building to it's context, to nature and to the broader setting.We strongly believe that Architecture is all about people, places and relationships. For us, it is essential that we invest time and energy in getting to know the Client and what makes them ‘tick’, understanding their brief and the reasons behind the brief and also in fully understanding the site, its context and the broader setting.
We also believe that architecture should not be about ‘trends’; it should be timeless. Whilst we believe design should reflect its time in terms of technology, flow of space, quality of light and exploring what is possible, we believe that a building should reflect the Client’s needs and the site context rather than the desire to make a fashion statement. Quality of materials, detailing and appropriateness for the local climate are key to creating a building that will stand the test of time.
Our story
Denholm Partnership Architects was founded in 1988 and the two current directors, Ellen Webster and Jude Carter, have each been part of the practice for over 20 years.
The practice is based in Comrie, Perthshire and has become well known over the years for the quality and timelessness of our designs and buildings which connect to their place and setting. Although the majority of our projects are in Perthshire we have worked on projects from the Western Isles and northern Highlands right down to Cornwall and most areas in between in urban, rural and townscape settings.Our team have worked on a huge variety of projects over the years across many sectors and we see every new project as an exciting and fresh challenge. Whether it is a sector we are familiar with or one we have never worked in before, we approach the project from the same basic principles.
While we are well known for our design expertise in private houses and the Hotel and Leisure sector, in recent years our projects have also included distilleries, rural estates, a church, offices and even a racecourse stand. Through all of our projects we have developed a depth of experience of both commercial projects, which need to be delivered on time and on budget, and also private residential projects where every detail is carefully considered and personality is key.
Services
Our services are based on the RIBA Plan of Work which covers every stage of a project from briefing and concept design through to completion of the build on site.
While we can tailor our services to suit all client requirements typically offer two levels of service – Intermediate and Full.
Our Intermediate service covers detailed Design, Planning, Listed Building and Building Warrant Consents. This is ideal for clients who don’t require full construction and tender documentation and are happy to progress with the construction on site independently with their contractor.
Our full service covers every stage of the project from Detailed Design, Planning, Listed Building and Building Warrant Consents, Construction and Tender documentation, Contract Administration of the construction on site and handover of the completed project.