KEY PERSONEL

Smith Maloney Hillier formed in 2023, from the merging of Bristol Architects Smith Maloney Architects Ltd (est. 2013) with London Architects h2architecture (est. 2013).

The practice brings together 3 Directors with distinct specialisms and a shared commitment to create beautiful buildings that respond to the needs of the individual, the community and the environment.

We have a wealth of experience, providing creative design solutions to private individuals, commerce and public sector clients. The quality of our work is recognised in architectural publications, lifestyle magazines and modern design journals.

Our Directors maintain positions as senior lectures, associate lecturers and part-time teaching fellows at the University of the West of England, University of Bath, University of Cardiff and De Montfort school of architecture and interior design.

  • Director - Architecture and Masterplanning

    Ashley is highly experienced in all aspects of the planning, procurement and delivery of architectural projects. He graduated from the The University of Bath, School of Architecture in 1995, and has over 28 years experience in practice. His portfolio covers a broad range of sectors including residential, commercial, education, healthcare, hospitality and retail.

    Before setting up Smith Maloney Architects Ltd in 2003, he worked for several renowned UK practices on high profile and award-winning developments including the Kings Cross Redevelopment and Exhibition Centre London (ExCeL).

    Ashley has a passion for innovative design and attention to detail. He has written for the Architects Journal, has advised industry professionals and organisations on the use of BIM, Green Building Analysis, virtual reality and augmented reality. He is a part-time teaching fellow at the University of Bath, an Associate Lecturer at the University of the West of England (UWE) and a Civic Trust Awards Assessor.

    In addition to enjoying great design, Ashley is a keen musician. He studied on the Diploma and Bachelor of Music courses at The Musicians Institute (Thames Valley University) between 1999 and 2001, and was a student of renowned jazz bassist Terry Gregory (Martin Taylor, Stephane Grappelli, Steve Hackett – Genesis).

  • Director - Architecture and Landscape

    Scottish born, Award-winning architect and landscape designer Mark Hillier, has worked across the globe. His experience covers projects ranging from small private homes, large scale offices, residential development to complex transport interchanges. His portfolio includes projects in Sri-Lanka, Hong Kong, Malawi, South Africa, China, Lebanon and the UK.

    Mark has been the design lead at several renowned practices. His work is highly contextual, and combines his love of architecture and landscape.

    In addition to founding award-winning London-based practice h2architecture, Mark is an experienced academic tutor, currently holding tutoring positions at De Monfort, Cardiff and Bath Universities.

    When he’s not at the drawing board Mark is on the golf course.

  • Director - Architecture and Interior Design

    Natasha studied at the Mackintosh School of Architecture and DeMonfort University. Prior to co-founding Smith Maloney Architects Limited in 2003, she worked for several renowned practices including Rolfe Judd, and Max Fordham. She has experience in the commerical office, mixed-use/housing, hospitality and retail sectors.

    Her specialisms are in the creative aspects of the design process. She has a strong aesthetic sensibility with a focus on integrated design solutions; from high-level concepts to detailed interiors. Her design work is informed by traditional craft-based techniques and the potential offered by modern materials and manufacturing.

    Since 2004 Natasha has contributed to the architecture and interior design courses at the University of Bath and University of the West of England (UWE). She holds the posts of Senior Lecturer, Course Admissions tutor and Programme Leader for the BA(Hons) Interior Design Course at UWE, and has been instrumental in developing course content for what is now recognised as one of the UK’s leading Interior Design courses (rated 2nd in The Guardian league tables – 2022).

    Natasha is a keen artist and enjoys life drawing and yoga.

  • Associate Consultant - Structural/Environmental Engineering

    During 20 years in the industry Jamie has designed a range of high environmental quality, low energy innovative buildings. He has managed and delivered new-builds and refurbishments ranging from historic national monuments, including the British Museum, to London’s first residential tower on stilts; Heliport Heights (by renowned architects Will Allsop).

    With Jamie’s experience and collaborative approach, we can offer a full range of engineering disciplines and deliver a fully integrated and holistic approach.

    Jamie has the knowledge to identify opportunities to optimise building fabric performance, enhance existing building systems, and adapt systems to provide alternative high volume solutions (CAV/VAV, passive/mixed mode, recovery & waste minimisation). He can also advise on BMS integration and better controls for improve user compliance and enhance monitoring.

    With his combination of stuctural and environmental design skills, Jamie helps us deliver efficient, low energy & water design solutions that are healthy and enjoyable to occupy.

  • Peter James, ARB

    Associate Consultant – Architecture and Technical Lead

    With over 30 years’ experience delivering mixed-use, residential and private residential projects across the UK. He has worked as an independent consultant and for various architectural and planning practices, including 14 years with h2architecture. Peter specialises in detail design and delivery and has worked on numerous high-quality and award winning projects.

    His experience encompasses Listed Buildings, hotels, nursing homes, Joint Service Centres, schools, halls of residences, crematoria, high-rise apartment blocks [pre and post Grenfell], and residential developments throughout the country. Recent projects include work in London, Kingston-upon-Thames, Wimbledon, Richmond, Byfleet, Guildford, the Surrey Hills, Cornwall, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Rutland and Highworth.

    Peter has worked for several award-winning architectural practices in the Midlands, and Manchester, where he completed a varied portfolio of works. He has experience of Modern Methods of Construction with a focus on green, sustainable architecture.

    Due to his extensive technical knowledge Peter has previously been contracted to assist with building recovery and renewal projects. His experience has helped resurrect failed projects from disaster - recovering them from bankruptcies and breaches of Planning Conditions.

    Aside from his love of architecture, Peter is also a keen swimmer, cook, musician and enjoys playing golf.

  • Associate Consultant - Planning and Development

    Greg is a Chartered Town Planner with 30 years’ experience in both the public and private sectors. He has worked in planning consultancies, multi-disciplinary firms, and within architectural practices.    

    Greg has worked on projects across the UK, with the focus being in London and the South-East in the residential, office, commercial and community sectors. The range and size of projects has been wide, as has the planning context in which they have been promoted which has ranged from green-belt sites to listed buildings and undesignated heritage assets outside conservation areas. Greg also acts as an Expert Witness at Public Inquiries, Informal Hearings and other proceedings, where evidence on planning issues is required. 

    Greg’s approach to projects is to identify where the planning risk lies, explain and quantify it for the team, and then establish a strategy to deal with it, so planning permission can be obtained.  This might involve mitigating, removing or sometimes just living with the risk, but the objective is always to chart a route through the system that avoids unexpected surprises.