A multidisciplinary studio for architecture, interiors and making.
Founded in 2013, Simpson Studio is an award-winning British design studio working from London and Edinburgh across the UK and internationally. We design buildings and interiors with a belief that the best spaces are resolved at every scale, from the organisation of a plan to the touch of a cabinet handle.
Designing the whole.
Our clients are private individuals, businesses and developers who value design, clarity and a high level of care. We offer the reassurance of a complete process, combining creative thinking with the technical knowledge and practical oversight required to deliver it.
Architecture, interiors and making sit within one studio. That structure allows us to think holistically, to resolve decisions earlier and to maintain continuity as a project moves from concept into construction and occupation. For clients, it means fewer gaps between disciplines, a clearer design language and a team that remains invested in the finished result.
Old and new. Local and international.
We are as comfortable working with historic fabric as we are designing contemporary interventions and new spaces. Listed buildings and conservation areas form an important part of our residential expertise, and we bring the same sensitivity to context to hospitality, retail and commercial projects.
Our portfolio extends from London and Edinburgh to projects elsewhere in the UK and internationally. The locations change, but our approach remains consistent: understand the place, understand the client, and make decisions that are purposeful, lasting and beautifully resolved.
Ambitious in design. Serious about delivery.
We want Simpson Studio to set a benchmark for thoughtful, multidisciplinary design. For us, leadership is not about spectacle. It is about combining imagination with judgement, understanding how a project will be built and used, and pushing every part of the design towards a stronger whole.
Our ambition is to create work that is recognised not only for how it looks, but for how intelligently it responds to its context, how well it functions and how carefully it is made.
London & Edinburgh.
Our London and Edinburgh studios allow us to work closely across England and Scotland, with direct experience of different planning systems, heritage contexts, consultants, craftspeople and suppliers. They also act as bases for our international work and collaborations.
Built to last.
Sustainability is embedded in the way we design rather than treated as an additional layer. We prioritise the intelligent reuse of existing buildings, durable natural materials, improved building performance, responsible sourcing and design decisions that extend the useful life of a place.
Our workshop gives us a particularly direct understanding of materials and waste. Offcuts and surplus materials are retained and, where possible, reworked into useful objects and limited pieces rather than discarded.
Our Team
Simpson Studio brings together architects, designers and makers with experience across architecture, interiors, conservation, commercial design and craftsmanship. The studio is deliberately collaborative, with senior involvement throughout projects and ideas tested across disciplines.
Joanna Simpson | Director
Joanna founded Simpson Studio in 2013 with a clear vision: to create exceptional, beautifully crafted buildings where no detail is overlooked. An award-winning architect, she graduated with First-Class honours from the University of Edinburgh and was awarded the prestigious Martin Hackett Award.
Today, Joanna leads a multidisciplinary team of architects, interior designers and cabinet makers across studios in Edinburgh and London. Under her direction, Simpson Studio has become known for its collaborative approach, architectural integrity and commitment to craft, delivering projects from private homes and members’ clubs to commercial spaces and bespoke furniture.
Alongside practice, Joanna plays an active role in shaping architecture and development in Scotland. She is a Trustee of the Edinburgh Architectural Association and sits on the Edinburgh Urban Design Panel, contributing to major planning and regeneration proposals across the city.
Alex Ewan | Director
Alex is an RIBA chartered Architect who joined Simpson Studio in 2015 after completing her Part II at the CASS with London Metropolitan University. Since joining Simpson Studio, she has worked on a rich variety of residential and commercial projects, and has developed her skills in adapting historic and listed buildings.
Alex has a particular love for detail drawings, and with a pragmatic approach, enjoys the finer problem solving that a beautiful piece of joinery or complex building junction can require.
Matthew Fair | Senior Architect
Matthew is an experienced Architect who graduated with a distinction in his Master of Architecture in 2013. He has worked on high-profile projects that span a diverse range of scales and sectors, including leisure, community, educational, and residential.
Matthew is passionate about design-led architecture that prioritises craftsmanship without compromising on function. He strives to create quality spaces that improve the lives of those who use them. To achieve this, he places particular emphasis on establishing a central concept or idea with clients at an early stage, which serves as the foundation for the design’s future success.
James Deru | Architect
James qualified as an Architect in 2022 after completing his studies at the Architectural Association and the University of Bath. He has experience working on a wide variety of projects, ranging from detailed focussed residential projects in London to high-profile public realm and masterplanning strategies internationally.
James enjoys the challenge of designing bespoke details that can bring ambitious designs to life and is well-versed in the complexity of turning design into reality having recently designed and built his own home in South London.
Aylin Ozdemir | Architect
Aylin joined Simpson Studio in 2021 during her Part II and has been a key member of the team throughout her architectural training. She completed her Part III and qualified as an architect in 2025. Since joining the studio, she has contributed to a wide range of projects, gaining experience across various scales and typologies. Aylin is driven by a desire to design architecture that is thoughtful, contextually responsive, and socially meaningful.
With a strong interest in sustainable and human-centered design, she aims to create spaces that not only serve their function but also elevate everyday experiences. Her goal is to continue evolving as a designer while contributing to work that has a lasting, positive impact on people and places.
Andrew Matheson | Architect
Andrew completed his masters at the University of Edinburgh and qualified as an Architect in 2022. He initially started his practice experience in Malaysia and Singapore at award winning practices, working on bespoke residential and high-rise projects that respond to the tropical climate through innovative design strategies.
Following his masters he has worked in both London and back in Scotland on mainly high-end residential projects, gaining valuable skills and experience working across all project work stages. With a focus on design detail at all scales, Andrew enjoys the positive influence good design can have to individuals and the community as a whole.
Kathleen McBride | Part I Architectural Assistant
Kathleen joined Simpson Studio in 2026 as a Part I Architectural Assistant, having completed her MA (Hons) Architecture degree at the University of Edinburgh. During her studies, she developed an interest in craftsmanship, materiality, and the relationship between design and making. Supported by the Barnson Bequest, she pursued these interests through a short course at Chippendale International School of Furniture, and Atelier la Junta in Spain.
Alongside Simpson Studio, Kathleen works with the Edinburgh Architectural Association, contributing to events and initiatives promoting wider engagement with architecture. She is particularly interested in socially and contextually responsive design.
Matt Hardy | Cabinet Maker
Matt is a graduate of the Chippendale International School of Furniture and a member of the Scottish Furniture Makers Association. After initially working as an independent maker in Edinburgh, he joined Simpson Studio in 2026, where he brings his knowledge of materials, joinery and craftsmanship to create bespoke furniture.
Matt is passionate about making and the role that thoughtful design and craftsmanship can play in creating considered, lasting spaces. He has a passion for mid-century design and particularly enjoys using traditional joinery in modern ways to create unique and considered details.