About Us :

I get excited about the design of things, how they go together, how they work, what they look like and why. Obviously, buildings but also anything else that has been designed to serve a purpose. Some things just end up looking great when the only consideration is what it has to do but most of the time some thought has to go into how to make it look nice as well as work well. I love the fact that especially in the field of architecture, you start with nothing (or worse!) and end up with something that (should) bring joy to whomever is using it.

My background is a bit potted but am sure has all played a part in why I do what I do now. Very briefly; I grew up in Germany (I’m sure some of that features in the processes of what I do – as well as my dad being a computer programmer), moved to the UK, went to a few schools, went to uni, where my architectural interest really started. Following uni, I spent a few years working in an architect’s office but was lured to volume housebuilders, both to learn about development at a larger scale and because the pay was better.

After about a decade, I realised that although I had learned a lot and it was very interesting, I yearned for something more intimate, which is how I ended up working for a bespoke house builder. The recession hit, I was made redundant, there were no jobs, so I started Artichoke, on a laptop with a printer in the corner of my son’s bedroom. Nearly ten years later, I’m now lucky enough to have an office at the end of the garden and to be working with some great people, including, most importantly the clients that choose to put their faith in us to help them realise their needs.

I’m lucky, although work is hugely challenging and not always easy, it is great fun and I love what I do but this also has to be balanced with family and leisure time. I spend most of my spare time out with my family walking around interesting places or having turned 40 a few years ago, wearing lycra and pedalling around Berkshire with my fellow M.A.M.I.L.S. Squeezing all the things I like doing into the left-over time isn’t easy but I also like singing and sailing.

Allegedly, I have an old head on older shoulders; I embrace the Artichoke ethos of testing ideas till they break and enjoying working with the team and the practice’s clients.

Having worked on a whole range of projects over the last 20 year, in various sectors I bring a huge amount of site and contractual experience to the studio along with a passion for making things work or work better!

With a somewhat excessive collection of classic sneakers I enjoy all things creative with a fondness of architecture from the 40s to the 70s.

Outside of work I can be found trying to keep up with a very young family and finding time to complete all my Lego Architecture models (whilst making sure little hands don’t remove the crucial pieces).

After working for fifteen years as a professional Architect in Italy, specialising in Urban architecture and Interior Design, I moved to UK to gain international experience and to discover the British way and joined Artichoke in 2014.

The majority of my experience is in residential design but I’m fortunate also to have worked on hotels and the refurbishment of ancient and historical listed buildings; both for private and public clients. My role has been as technical and project/team manager to deliver projects from inception to completion.

When I’m not working, I’m usually acting as tour guide around Windsor & London, having a lot of Italian visitors to show around! When I’m not doing that I enjoy walking and building up an appetite to eat good food (my father is a chef!).

Having always been a stickler for detail, I find producing clever design that is both aesthetically pleasing but also technically innovative, the most rewarding part of the job. Since qualifying as an Architect in 2019 from the University of Westminster, I have spent much of my time working in the residential sector for a variety of clients. It is important to me to bring enthusiasm, organisation, and creativity to each project to help our clients reach a considered design.

Outside of the office, I spend most of my time with my young family enjoying the outdoors – whether that be out for walks or following my husband to obscure climbing spots.

My role here at Artichoke Design is to support Chris & his team with all the admin jobs, so that their time is spent doing what they do best - being architects!

Prior to joining the team here, my career to date was spent in commercial roles in well-known retailers, working for a number of years in multiple buying & product development teams across Food & Fashion (there are many similarities, believe it or not!), so architecture is all new to me, but I love being part of a creative environment. 

This is a side-hustle, as I also run my own business, a small – but perfectly formed -  bridal shop here in Windsor which focuses on British bridal designers and sustainability. 

My free time is spent largely with my family: my husband, two teenagers & a Cavapoo. I love getting out on my road-bike at the weekends, heading out on the Berkshire, Surrey & Buckinghamshire roads, as long as there is the incentive of a good cup of coffee & some form of cake, I don’t mind which direction we head! 

I took part in my first ever triathlon in 2023, admittedly as 1 of a team of 3, but loved every minute of it & hope to do it again, maybe solo next time, who knows...

I also love playing tennis, skiing, singing & long family dog walks, especially in the autumn which is by far my favourite season.