Somner Macdonald Architects

Nomination

Images

Somner Macdonald Hermitage Drive (c) Jim Stephenson 3

Somner Macdonald Hermitage Drive (c) Jim Stephenson 1

Somner Macdonald Hermitage Drive (c) Jim Stephenson 4

Somner Macdonald Hermitage Drive (c) Jim Stephenson 21

Videos

Direct link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U3mK7gzyHk

Direct link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMxwgSy3O44

Company

Somner Macdonald Architects

Summary

Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, Somner Macdonald are a small, design focused architecture practice led by Tom Armistead and Seán Gaule. The practice has built a body of work covering residential & commercial projects over a period of 30 years, a shared interest in craft and collaboration informs all the projects the studio undertakes. Recently completed works include the full renovation & extension of private homes at Hermitage Drive & Barnton Avenue West (submitted in the residential category), alongside many other domestic projects throughout Edinburgh and East Lothian. When designing a home, clarity, form and materiality guide our process. As architects living and working in Scotland’s capital city, we are invested in exploring the intangible medium of light and space. We consider how environmental conditions can inform the way we live in and enjoy the home. With Scotland’s bright summers and dark winters, our team develops concepts that prioritise a connection to the natural world and, in so doing, enhance your quality of life. Whether heralding a new chapter in an existing building’s life or creating something completely new, we maximise the potential of every site and building to ensure it integrates seamlessly with its surroundings. Our homes flow; they enhance modern life in their arrangement and provision of simple, effortless spaces and solutions. We achieve this by questioning and understanding how you use your home. Your story will be reflected in the completed build—a notion that transcends design and construction. Our commitment to quality and sustainability means using natural, high-performing and long-lasting materials. As we care for the environment and our common future, we adopt passive, low-energy design principles and seek to integrate low-carbon solutions and renewable technologies where appropriate.

What sets your practice/agency apart from others?

At Somner Macdonald Architects, we design with purpose, place, and people at the heart of everything we do. Based in Scotland and rooted in its architectural traditions, we bring a contemporary sensibility that respects context while pushing for innovation and clarity. What sets us apart is the balance we strike between creativity and precision, heritage and modernity, ambition and humility. Our projects are not loud for the sake of it, they’re quietly confident, rigorously thought-through, and built to last. Whether it's a sensitive retrofit or a bold new build, we deliver architecture that is as thoughtful as it is beautiful. We are a studio that listens before we design. Collaboration is embedded in our process, with clients, consultants, and contractors because we know that the best design outcomes come from shared ownership and dialogue. Our scale allows us to be hands-on and agile, with senior involvement across every project, ensuring design integrity from concept to completion. In a Scottish context, we understand the nuances of place , from urban to rural, from the weather to the way people live. We work with this, not against it. Sustainability is not a bolt-on; it’s integrated from the outset. We aim for timeless design that feels inevitable, grounded, and quietly transformative. We’re proud of the impact our work has - not just on paper, but in real lives and real places across Scotland. That, to us, is the measure of good design and of a practice worth recognising.

How do you go 'the extra mile' for clients and employees?

At Somner Macdonald Architects, going the extra mile isn’t an exception, it’s how we work. For our clients, that means listening carefully, challenging constructively, and delivering more than they expect. We invest time in understanding not just the brief, but the people behind it; their aspirations, challenges, and the ways they’ll live, work or gather in the spaces we design. We’re hands-on and highly accessible throughout the process, offering thoughtful, honest advice and maintaining continuity from the first sketch to final handover. We take pride in being proactive problem-solvers and trusted collaborators, the kind of team you’d want to work with again. For our team, going the extra mile means creating a workplace that values wellbeing, creativity, and growth. We’ve built a studio culture that’s open, supportive, and genuinely collaborative. Professional development is encouraged at all levels, whether through mentoring, CPD, or taking on meaningful responsibility early. We recognise that great design comes from people who feel empowered and respected, so we make space for individual voices, flexible working, and a healthy balance between ambition and sustainability. Ultimately, we care deeply about our work, our clients, and our people. And that care is what drives us to go further, do better, and keep raising the bar.

What innovations have you introduced in the past year?

The practice has implemented a 4-day week policy with the studio closed on Fridays to allow members of the team time to pursue other interests or tasks.