Ralph Saull, BA(Hons) MArchD PCTHE FHEA RIBA

Ralph joined West Waddy in June 2011. Supplementing his role in the Practice, he is also an Associate Lecturer in Architecture, teaching at Oxford Brookes University on the year one undergraduate programme.

Ralph has worked on a variety of projects over 6 years at West Waddy ADP ranging from large scale masterplans to extension and alteration works.

He has also worked on a number of heritage-led projects including grade I and grade II listed buildings, the most recent of which involving the restoration of a Medieval Barn and adjacent buildings in a state of disrepair.

Recently, he has worked on the design of a number of contemporary dwellings including Herons, a one-off home in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

His attention to detail is seen in the design and specification of interiors, where a passion for fully integrated lighting design often leads the design process.

Where community and stakeholder engagement is required, he has a great deal of experience in the design and production of clear and simple graphic information to communicate a design. This is of particular benefit when engaging the local community or building users in the design process. This skill is frequently employed to support public consultations, or when working with client groups & representatives.

In addition to his role in practice as a designer, Ralph is a keen educator and photographer working in the field of the built environment.

Stephen Pickles, BA MSc Dip TP MRTPI Diploma in Env Cons

Stephen joined West Waddy in July 2007.  Since joining the practice he has worked on a range of projects. These include: the production of a Scoping Report for Berkyn Manor, a disused nineteenth century manor house, and associated agricultural buildings located in the Green Belt at Horton, near Slough in Berkshire; appearing at the Examination into Wycombe District Council’s Core Strategy on behalf of Banner Homes, who were seeking to prevent two sites in which they have an interest from being incorporated into the Green Belt; drafting a planning feasibility report for a research Institute relating to the future of their research facilities at two locations: one in the Green Belt and the other in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; and working on an application to create a new main entrance to Oxford Brookes University’s Wheatley Campus. He is also working on a number of policy promotions, seeking the allocation of sites for development in Local Development Frameworks.

Stephen has experience of preparing planning applications and co-ordinating other professionals involved in the team. He has experience of monitoring planning applications once deposited with the local planning authority and liaising with clients throughout each project.

Prior to joining the Practice, Stephen worked in Planning Policy at Oxford City Council for 18 years from 1989 until 2007 working on policy issues (particularly in relation to the universities, hospitals, environmental issues and sports/recreation), which gave him extensive knowledge of planning policy in a local government context.

Matt Hinkins, BA(Hons) MArch RIBA

Following work experience at MGB Architects in Wheatley,  Matt was inspired to study architecture completing his undergraduate degree at The Oxford School of Architecture in 2013. Following a 15 month placement at Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands designing high rise residential developments he returned to Oxford to complete his masters whilst working at West Waddy, now as a Part II Architect’s Assistant.

Matt’s university projects often offered a unique solution to a site, with his ‘Northgate Cable Car System’ in Oxford winning the ‘Best Sustainable Portfolio Award’ in 2015. Whilst prior large schemes during placements have helped develop an eye for proportionality and composition, his interests lie in smaller bespoke schemes where a unique and innovative solution is required.

Whilst working at West Waddy Matt has gained experience in contract administration, overseeing several projects on site including a contemporary, sustainable new build property whilst also designing and delivering a variety of historical refurbishment projects, including a Grade II listed Farmhouse. Currently Matt is working on a Grade II* listed barn complex in Bristol, with works due to complete in 2020, as part of an HLF scheme.

Rashed Mustafa, BA (Hons) MArchD RIBA

Further to completing her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in architecture, Rashed began working at West Waddy in October 2016. Before joining the practice, she gained experience at a London based practice designing schemes for both the education and leisure sectors. Her projects included a large development at York Racecourse and a new study centre design for a theologian college in Cambridge.

Currently, Rashed is involved in designing several residential schemes of various scales and in 2020 will be overseeing the construction of a scheme of 19 units at Richards House, Didcot. 

Jay Wright,

Jay joined the Practice as an Architectural PA in June 2017. In this short time she has already demonstrated her value across the Practice through the professional manner in which she oversees and helps coordinate the Partners busy schedules.

Prior to her appointment, Jay worked at Churchill Hospital providing full administrative and secretarial support across a variety of NHS teams and services.

Originally from Oxford Jay now lives in Abingdon, where she enjoys walking her dog and spending time with her family.

Gavin Fraser, BA(Hons) MArchD RIBA

With a diverse academic and professional background Gavin has worked in the construction industry since 2004, and formerly worked at several well respected local practices.  He completed his professional training qualifying as an architect in 2016. His architectural experience spans a range of sectors including transport, commercial and residential.

He is experienced in all aspects of architectural services including feasibility and concept design work; surveying and consultation with clients; preparation of planning and Building Regulation applications; liaising with consultants, contractors and manufacturers; producing detail drawings and specification information for tender and construction; and undertaking Contractor Administrator duties.

His experience of working on challenging sites with demanding clients provides him with an invaluable skill set for the delivery of quality projects on time and on budget.

Gavin is particularly interested in high end residential work and how contemporary design can employ vernacular design cues such as local materiality, crafts and topography to inform new architecture intrinsically linked to place.

Charlie Kirby, BA (Hons)

Charlie joined West Waddy in August 2019 as a Part I Architectural Assistant following the completion of her undergraduate degree from Oxford Brookes University.

As a child, she experienced a wide range of opportunities with schooling from Tokyo, Japan, to Chennai, India, and Geneva, Switzerland. Jumping from economic and social extremes to travelling added to the variation of designing she aspire to create today.

As part of her 2nd Year at Oxford Brookes, her unit designed for ‘The Hill’ Oxfords Health Innovation Hub, to facilitate a discussion of healthcare at the John Radcliffe Hospital. Its completion scheduled for later in the year.

Her interests revolve around Biomimicry, Sustainable architecture, and building for a changing environment. Through her year out before continuing and studying for her Part 2, Charlie will work on various residential schemes and larger projects.

Josh Downey, BSc (Hons)

Further to undertaking his postgraduate degree in Spatial Planning and Development at Cardiff University, Josh joined the team at West Waddy as a Graduate Town Planner in July 2019.

Originally from South Wales, Josh worked for Carmarthenshire County Council as a Graduate Mechanical Inspector.

He has an emerging interest in delivering large scale residential projects through close collaboration with our design team to help deliver sustainable communities for the future.

Michael Paginton, PGDip, BA (Hons), Dip Arb L4 (ABC), PIEMA, TechArborA

Neil Gibson, BA(Hons) T&CP DMS DEM MRTPI FCHIT

Neil is currently acting as a consultant for West Waddy and our sister practice Archadia, providing the Practice with strategic advice on planning, housing, the environment and general business development.

As strategic advisor Neil brings over 25 years of senior executive experience at board level, embracing vision & strategy development, partnership development, change management & delivery, innovation and organisational & executive leadership development.

Neil is a prominent Place leader with a BA (Hons) in Town & Country Planning and post-graduate diplomas in Management Studies and Environmental Management. Professionally he is a Member of the RTPI, a Fellow of the CIHT and a recent Past President of ADEPT, a national Association in which he remains active.

Starting his career as a Town Planner with Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council in 1982, Neil worked for various Councils nationally, his final role being Executive Director for Transport Economy & Environment with Buckinghamshire County Council, which he stepped down from in 2020.

Andrew Bateson, BSc(Hons) MRTPI

Andrew is a consultant town planner.  In his former career he was Plans Team Leader at Aylesbury Vale District Council before moving to the private sector with RPS initially as Principal Planning Consultant before promotion to Planning Director in charge of the Milton Keynes office. Later he became Operational Director at the Swindon office. Andrew has also run his own planning consultancy prior to joining West Waddy.

Andrew’s experience covers most sectors. Whilst in local government he was responsible for the adoption of three local plans and the designation of over 40 new conservation areas as well as Aylesbury Vale’s first economic development strategy. In the private sector Andrew has dealt with both minor and major planning strategies and applications including acting for several NHS Health Trusts in the redevelopment of their estates and several major urban extensions on behalf of national house-builders.

Andrew also possesses extensive appeal experience including Public Inquiries and local plan examinations and is well versed in all aspects of planning law and practice.