Address
MortonScarr Architects
47 Middle Street
Brighton
BN1 1AL
Telephone
+44 1273 220 407

Email
[email protected]

Date
17.10.2021

Time (GMT)
4.10.24
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About
MortonScarr is a design-led architectural practice with offices in the centre of Brighton. Founded in 2011, we create private and commercial spaces around the needs and desires of our clients.

Through our established planning and development process, we rigorously assess potential projects to find creative and efficient ways forward. Each architectural solution is formed by a house process rather than a house style, resulting in original designs that embrace a specific set of challenges. Our work exists to be experienced. As a result, each project takes shape around the individual – and is complete only when those who use it set foot inside for the first time. With a strong track record in delivering projects, both technically and commercially, we are more than just a design practice. We make it happen.

As a RIBA Chartered Practice, we offer full services in building design, interiors and master planning. Our portfolio spans a range of sectors including residential projects for both private and developer clients, commercial, arts, education, hotels and leisure. Further capabilities include conservation design, project management, feasibility studies, statutory applications, construction information and anything else needed to visualise and realise architectural design projects.

MortonScarr was formerly known as CDMS Architects until a rebrand in 2018.
Process
RIBA – Plan of Work

The RIBA Plan of Work allows us to create our best work. It’s the definitive framework for UK architectural design projects. We use six recognised stages to guide clients from initial concept through to procurement services and final construction, reaching clear milestones along the way. Mapping out the project from day one allows us to openly discuss ideas, without restricting creativity.
Stage 0/1 – Feasibility Study

When we’re at our most creative. We begin with a feasibility study to develop a thorough project brief. This stage involves highlighting any opportunities or constraints presented by the existing site or building, and getting the ball rolling with initial concept ideas. Following a site visit, we then prepare the feasibility study report with our recommendations together with a budget cost, programme information and everything you need to move forward.
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Stage 2 – Concept Design

Refining ideas and feedback. Together, we develop the brief to create a single, preferred concept design. We then review this vision against the construction budget, assist with bringing in other outside consultants if needed, and discuss pre-application planning feedback with the Local Authority along with any other due diligence steps to make sure everyone agrees with the concept design layout in principle.
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Stage 3 – Spatial Coordination

Submitting a planning application. This is when we confirm the form of the building and the external materials. First, we develop the concept into a detailed plan, elevation and section. Design statements and reports are prepared before submitting a formal planning application to the Local Authority on your behalf. We are proactive with all planning applications, following up and keeping in close contact as things progress.
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Stage 4 – Technical Design

Focusing on the detail. Throughout the technical design stage, we lock down the practical details to prepare construction information for contractors to provide accurate costs. In coordination with other consultants, we then discharge any planning conditions, draw up full working construction drawings, specify internal and external elements, submit building control applications and agree on a timescale for the build.
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Stage 5/6 – Manufacturing, Construction and Handover

Bringing your project to life. We can oversee the construction period from the moment contractors set foot on site to the day of the final handover – how closely we are involved will depend on the type of contract. Above and beyond acting as your architect throughout the construction, we can also manage contractors, impartially administer the building contract, help to resolve any issues and prepare for a seamless completion.
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People
Name
Corin Morton
Role
Founder & Director
Bio
Corin Morton is a founder and director at MortonScarr. Prior to opening the practice, he worked on a number of commercial and high-end residential projects in London and the South East as well as masterplan projects overseas. He brings over 15 years of experience in the design and construction process, from new build and refurbishment projects to listed buildings. Recent commissions include the extension and development of Golders Green Crematorium, a new extension for Fabrica Visual Arts Centre in Brighton, the internal refurbishment of Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair, as well as several residential projects for private clients. He holds a BA (Hons) degree in Architecture and a DipArch Diploma in Architecture from the University of Brighton, and he is a RIBA Chartered Member.
Name
Chris Scarr
Role
Founder & Director
Bio
Chris Scarr is a Director at MortonScarr and co-founded the practice. Alongside his managerial position, he maintains an active role on a number of projects which range from one-off new build houses to larger mixed-use developments. In 2002 he qualified from the University of Brighton in Architectural Technology and has since built up a wealth of experience on a range of high specification residential and commercial projects both in the UK and internationally.

He manages the practice’s fast-growing developer portfolio and has overseen a series of residential and mixed-use developments across London and the South-East which vary in scale and complexity.
Name
Tom Wainewright
Role
Associate Architect
Bio
Associate Architect Tom Wainewright has been with the practice since 2014, following a period working in New Zealand on one off family homes. Prior to this his background was London based, primarily in education & school design. His architectural Training was undertaken at the Welsh School of Architecture, completing his professional practice qualifications at Westminster University.

With MortonScarr he has lead a number of projects, including the extension and refurbishment of Fabrica Gallery, 3 new homes in Lyme Regis, and bespoke interiors for an apartment in central London.

He became an Associate at MortonScarr in 2020 and has an active role in ensuring design quality across all projects within the office. He also leads the practice's participation with the RIBA 2030 Climate challenge.
Name
Louise Halpern
Role
Architect
Bio
Louise Halpern is a Project Architect with over 15 years post qualification experience in a variety of sectors including education, healthcare and residential. Her residential experience includes a £6.5m refurbishment and restoration of two substantial Grade II listed townhouses in Bryanston Square W1 for The Portman Estate, a £1m extension to a Grade II* listed private house and developer projects delivering high quality apartments in a number of London locations.

She has built good relationships with clients, project managers and consultants and has extensive site-based experience working closely with contractors to successfully deliver the client’s vision. She has delivered speeches at events at the Building Centre including Passivhaus, and Energy Efficient Buildings.

She qualified as a chartered Architect from the University of Greenwich, having completed her earlier architectural education at University of Westminster and prior to that, Kingston Polytechnic.
Name
Kaissa Tait
Role
Architect
Bio
Kaissa Tait is an Architect with experience across a wide range of projects and sectors both locally and overseas, including a year working for Malaysian eco-architect Ken Yeang in Kuala Lumpur. Within MortonScarr she has been responsible for a range of projects including one-off private homes, small-scale housing developer schemes, and a complex flatted scheme in Peckham. She is a fully qualified ARB registered Architect with a Masters from the University of Dundee, and participates in the RIBA South East mentoring scheme as mentor to students from Brighton University.
Name
Nick Surtees
Role
Architect
Bio
Nick studied at Kingston University and Portsmouth University before qualifying as an Architect at Brighton University in 2015. Initially based in London he worked on several high-end residential and conservation projects before moving to a large multi-discipline consultancy in West Sussex. During this time, he led multi-discipline design teams on a number of complex rail and infrastructure projects, sustainable eco-homes and affordable housing schemes, as well as carrying out a large scale master-planning for a major London-based NHS hospital trust.

Since joining MortonScarr as a Project Architect in 2016, Nick has overseen the technical design and construction of a large commercial development in Tunbridge Wells as well as several one-off residential projects including new-build houses, extensions and refurbishments from feasibility stage through to construction.
Name
Ben Walker
Role
Architectural Assistant
Bio
Ben studied his BA(Hons) Part I at the University of Kent, graduating in 2013. After the completion of his BA, Ben went on to work in the San Francisco area for two high-end residential and commercial practices, working on various schemes within Northern California, including an award-winning restoration project of an 1860’s Hay Barn for the University of Santa Cruz’s Agroecology centre.

He returned to England in 2016 to complete his M.Arch Part II at the University of Brighton, receiving a distinction for his design and technology thesis projects, as well as being nominated for the RIBA South East Award. Ben joined MortonScarr in the summer of 2018.
Name
Luisa Sommerer
Role
Architectural Assistant
Bio
Luisa Sommerer is a Part II Architectural Assistant at MortonScarr. Prior to moving to Sussex, she studied at the Mackintosh School of Architecture for her Bachelor’s degree. She graduated with a distinction from the University of Greenwich in the MArch programme, where she was nominated for the 2020 RIBA Dissertation medal with her master thesis ‘The Constructed Illusion of a European Town’.

Prior to joining MortonScarr, she gained experience in the private and commercial residential sector whilst working on architectural and interior design projects throughout London and Sussex.
Name
Barnaby Maynard
Role
Architectural Assistant
Bio
Barnaby Maynard joined MortonScarr in the summer 2018 after graduating with a First-Class Honours from the University of Brighton with a Part I degree in Architecture. Since then he has received numerous award nominations for his final project including the RIBA South East Award, the Latham’s Timber Award, the Zinzan Prize and won the Morgan Carn Design Prize. His work has also been submitted for the RIBA Bronze award, a prestigious national competition.
Name
George Gunn
Role
Architectural Assistant
Bio
George joined MortonScarr in Summer 2021 after graduating from the University of Nottingham with a first-class degree in architecture (part I). His passion for design has been commended through a series of university-wide competitions during his undergraduate, placing 1st with a conceptual student accommodation scheme, which intended to increase social interaction and cohesion. He also gained recognition for his urban design strategy applied to the site of a failing shopping centre in Nottingham, leading to the project being publicly displayed in a local gallery.
Telephone
+44 1273 220 407
Email
[email protected]
Address
MortonScarr Architects 47 Middle Street Brighton BN1 1AL
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