Interview: Simon Mack Architect

Meet Henley on Thames architect Simon Mack

Tell us a little about the background of your architectural practice? I have been fortunate to be a part of Henley’s local community in both a personal and professional capacity for over ten years. Prior to moving to Henley, I studied, qualified, and worked in London including practising as the senior Architect at a world renown design practice specialising in interior design and architecture for homes and hotels around the world. Soon after moving to Henley with my family, I started my own practice drawing on my considerable experience in residential projects. Working on the principle that the interiors and landscaping are considered as integral element of a holistic design process, ensures a cohesive design that a client can understand through the medium of drawn plans, elevations, sketches, computer modelling and even virtual reality. This approach has provided us with a portfolio of successful projects, enabling the practice to go from strength to strength. Whilst growing our roots in Henley and the surrounding counties, the practice has formed good connections and working relationships with our clients, consultants and contractors as well as the Local Planning and Building Control departments. This has meant that over the last 10 years we have a one hundred percent planning approval success rate of which we are extremely proud.

What is your customer process from receiving that first enquiry? The priority is to learn about the client, how they live, their interests, passions, and understand the client’s objectives and aspirations. Through discussions and sketches, we will create an initial brief. From this initial brief we use our skills and experience to provide a number of options as to how these aspirations can be achieved. At the first meetings we provide a series of options, presented as plans and computer models that demonstrate possible design directions and provide the client with a very early indication of the type of works involved, the kind of spaces that can be achieved and the level of proposed alterations required, whether this is through remodelling the existing, adding new space or creating a new building. By integrating computer modelling into the design process from the onset a client can “walk through” the spaces getting a feel for height, space, and the views, allowing for a better understanding of a design, which in turn minimises any costly alterations through the construction phase. From here we will guide the client through the Planning process, Building Control, tender and construction, to hand over. Our full design service includes specification for the works from the design of a building fabric to lighting and power layouts, finishes specification, kitchen and bathroom design.

Is there a type of commission that gets you particularly excited? We love working with clients who are also passionate about good design and creating beautiful spaces, whether it is reconfiguring an existing house to achieve its full potential or designing a new house, this drives our passion for attention to detail. We have worked with all types of styles from listed buildings to new contemporary “eco” homes.

Why should Hamptons clients choose your studio for their project? Simon Mack Architecture is a RIBA chartered practice which means that we comply with strict criteria in an accreditation scheme that gives you, the client, an assurance of quality. You can expect a high level of excellence in design and service. We believe that this is in harmony with the type of client and properties that Hamptons represent as well as the service provided by Hamptons. We have worked with Hamptons clients on a number of successful and exciting projects and we are looking forward to our continued collaboration Simon Mack Architecture apply impartial and creative thinking to projects large and small. We know how to add value, whether by simply maximising light and space, adding functionality, or creating the wow factor for your investment. Our local knowledge and experience are invaluable for clients looking to complete a successful project in Henley and the surrounding area.

What’s your favourite thing about working in the Henley area? For us, the diversity of projects, housing types and clients, make each project different which goes hand in hand with our bespoke design approach.