Emrys is a practice with a pedigree. A company whose portfolio of high-profile cultural and commercial buildings is peppered with tiny, quirky projects - a design guide for China Town, a couple of exhibitions of photography - all approached with the same intellectual curiosity, attention to detail, and flair. But it is also a practice with a purpose. Emrys was born out of a real sense of excitement, an understanding that the ethos that underpins its work is perfectly in tune with the times. This is a practice that values on-going relationships over one-off quick-fix deals; lasting performance over short-term gain. Its purpose is to deliver buildings that respect the environment, enrich their context, and withstand the test of time. But perhaps most of all, its purpose is to get to know its clients, to understand how they want to live and work, and to help them to realise their dreams.

While it prides itself on delivering to budget and at speed, Emrys is driven by a belief that time spent listening to clients, exploring ideas, on teaching, or learning, is never wasted time. That investment in thought and dialogue and design pays for itself several times over in terms of reduced build and running costs, efficient delivery, added value and quality of results. That the most elegant, coherent, solution represents the distillation of a thousand conversations and ideas

Isabel Allen

Our award-winning design team has a breadth of experience covering architecture; interior design; urban and master planning; furniture design; graphic and exhibition design.

All of our employees bring unique value to the practice. We promote a studio culture where open communication and critical analysis of the work is positively encouraged.

This inclusive approach runs through all aspects of the practice, with staff actively involved in organising social events, CPD seminars, office excursions to lectures and exhibitions, softball schedules and the annual office trip.

The principal team leaders at Emrys are:

Glyn Emrys — Director

Glyn has spearheaded schemes that cover the housing, education, commercial, arts and culture, and retail sectors. This includes major refurbishment works at prestigious UK universities and overseeing our largest commercial projects. He previously was founding director of A-EM, worked as an Associate at Rick Mather Architects and has lived and worked in San Francisco, Hong Kong and Bahrain.

Matt Blackden — Associate

Matt has worked with Glyn for over ten years building up a portfolio of quality buildings and fostering strong client relationships. Matt was responsible for delivering high profile projects at University College London and Goldsmiths. His sector experience extends to housing, commercial, retail and education. Matt was educated at the University of Portsmouth and London Metropolitan University, prior to his position at Emrys Matt worked in larger London-based practices and as project architect and associate at A-EM.