Peter Laidler BEng CEng MICE Director Peter founded Structure Workshop in 2004 and has over 20 years’ experience in the design of building structures.
During this time, he has worked with many award-winning Architects and internationally recognised artists to realise a series of challenging and bold projects. These include buildings at Carlisle Cathedral and Cambridge University, as well as large scale sculptures around the world.
As practice director Peter maintains responsibility for strategic planning and the overall conceptual design approach of the practice. In this role his primary focus is on reducing environmental impact via a collaborative design approach based on technical excellence, material innovation and low carbon outcomes.
Key Recent Projects
Homerton College Dining Hall, Cambridge (Feilden Fowles Architects)
Nithurst Farm, Sussex (Adam Richards Architects)
Bicameral at Chelsea barracks (Conrad Shawcross RA)
Qualifications
BEng Civil Engineering (First Class Honours) 1991 Bristol University
During this time, he has worked with many award-winning Architects and internationally recognised artists to realise a series of challenging and bold projects. These include buildings at Carlisle Cathedral and Cambridge University, as well as large scale sculptures around the world.
As practice director Peter maintains responsibility for strategic planning and the overall conceptual design approach of the practice. In this role his primary focus is on reducing environmental impact via a collaborative design approach based on technical excellence, material innovation and low carbon outcomes.
Key Recent Projects
Homerton College Dining Hall, Cambridge (Feilden Fowles Architects)
Nithurst Farm, Sussex (Adam Richards Architects)
Bicameral at Chelsea barracks (Conrad Shawcross RA)
Qualifications
BEng Civil Engineering (First Class Honours) 1991 Bristol University
Max Clayton MEng CEng MIStructE Senior Engineer Max graduated in Structural Engineering and Architecture from Sheffield University, obtaining a MEng and RIBA Part I. He then stayed on as a postgraduate research assistant in the Computational Mechanics and Design Department, co-authoring two papers, before joining Structure Workshop in 2016.
He has gained a wide variety of project experience, such as the renovation of historic buildings (Aircon House), exposed multi-storey steel frames (Clarnico Quay), sustainable timber design (Black Barn), and large-scale public artwork (The Interpretation of Movement).
Key Recent Projects
Clarnico Quay, Hackney Wick (Turner Works) 2020
Black Barn, Suffolk (Studio Bark) 2018
The Interpretation of Movement, St Pancras International (Conrad Shawcross RA) 2017
Qualifications
MEng RIBA Part I Structural Engineering and Architecture 2015 Sheffield University
He has gained a wide variety of project experience, such as the renovation of historic buildings (Aircon House), exposed multi-storey steel frames (Clarnico Quay), sustainable timber design (Black Barn), and large-scale public artwork (The Interpretation of Movement).
Key Recent Projects
Clarnico Quay, Hackney Wick (Turner Works) 2020
Black Barn, Suffolk (Studio Bark) 2018
The Interpretation of Movement, St Pancras International (Conrad Shawcross RA) 2017
Qualifications
MEng RIBA Part I Structural Engineering and Architecture 2015 Sheffield University
Sophie Frith MEng CEng MIStructE Senior Engineer Sophie joined Structure Workshop in 2017 having previously worked as a design engineer for Heyne Tillett Steel in London and prior to that a sustainability advisor for KLH in Partridge, Australia.
Sophie is involved in several exciting projects that reflect her key interest in sustainable design and construction. These include a new timber framed dining hall for Homerton College at Cambridge University and a timber framed visitor centre for the National Trust at Winkworth Arboretum. Sophie is an active member of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network (STEMNET): an organisation focused on providing world-class education in these disciplines for all young people across the UK.
Key Recent Projects
Homerton College Dining Hall, Cambridge (Feilden Fowles Architects) 2020
Brockwell Park Community Gardens (Feilden Fowles architects) 2020
Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey (IPT Architects) 2019
Qualifications
MEng Civil and Structural Engineering (First Class Honours) 2014 Newcastle University
Sophie is involved in several exciting projects that reflect her key interest in sustainable design and construction. These include a new timber framed dining hall for Homerton College at Cambridge University and a timber framed visitor centre for the National Trust at Winkworth Arboretum. Sophie is an active member of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network (STEMNET): an organisation focused on providing world-class education in these disciplines for all young people across the UK.
Key Recent Projects
Homerton College Dining Hall, Cambridge (Feilden Fowles Architects) 2020
Brockwell Park Community Gardens (Feilden Fowles architects) 2020
Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey (IPT Architects) 2019
Qualifications
MEng Civil and Structural Engineering (First Class Honours) 2014 Newcastle University
Donna Hay Studio Manager Donna was Head of Events for the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) in London for over ten years. Overseeing the demanding private and commercial events department of this internationally renowned arts centre, Donna was responsible for some of London’s most memorable events.
Her passion for food then led her to establish a thriving and much-loved street food business, creating artisanal wood fired pizza for both public and private events. A few years later, she sold the business and has since worked as a Studio Manager in the arts and architectural sector. She joined Structure Workshop as Studio Manager in November 2017. She has a keen eye for detail and is passionate about art, design and breadmaking.
Her passion for food then led her to establish a thriving and much-loved street food business, creating artisanal wood fired pizza for both public and private events. A few years later, she sold the business and has since worked as a Studio Manager in the arts and architectural sector. She joined Structure Workshop as Studio Manager in November 2017. She has a keen eye for detail and is passionate about art, design and breadmaking.
Alastair Barnard MEng Project Engineer Alastair graduated in Civil Engineering from the University of Bath, obtaining a master’s degree with first class honours. Working closely with Architects throughout his degree, Alastair developed a keen interest in building structures, specialising in mathematical analysis and building materials.
Alastair joined Structure Workshop in 2018 having spent a year gaining early professional experience at Tony Gee and Partners. He has worked on a variety of building projects ranging from small retrofit schemes & extensions to a large masterplan scheme in Kilburn. Alastair has experience designing in all the main building materials with a keen focus on efficient, low carbon design.
Key Recent Projects
Carlton & Granville, Kilburn (Adam Khan Architects) 2020
Water Farm, Suffolk (Studio Bark) 2019
U-Build System, Various Projects (Studio Bark)
Qualifications
MEng Civil Engineering (First Class Honours) 2016 University of Bath
Alastair joined Structure Workshop in 2018 having spent a year gaining early professional experience at Tony Gee and Partners. He has worked on a variety of building projects ranging from small retrofit schemes & extensions to a large masterplan scheme in Kilburn. Alastair has experience designing in all the main building materials with a keen focus on efficient, low carbon design.
Key Recent Projects
Carlton & Granville, Kilburn (Adam Khan Architects) 2020
Water Farm, Suffolk (Studio Bark) 2019
U-Build System, Various Projects (Studio Bark)
Qualifications
MEng Civil Engineering (First Class Honours) 2016 University of Bath
Joe Tompkins MEng BA Graduate Engineer Joe joined Structure Workshop in 2019 after graduating from the University of Cambridge. He has strong interests in timber design, environmental sustainability and parametric design tools. He has already worked on several projects at Structure Workshop, including large retrofit and new build projects.
For his master’s project, Joe worked with Smith & Wallwork Engineers and Niall Mclaughlin Architects to research the behaviour of a complex sweet chestnut roof structure in Oxford. The paper has been accepted for oral presentation at the World Conference of Timber Engineering, 2020 in Santiago, Chile.
Key Recent Projects
Wraxall Yard, Dorset (Clementine Blakemore Architects) 2020
Durham Wharf, London (Assemble) 2020
Green Templeton College Dining Hall (Feilden Fowles Architects) 2020
Qualifications
MEng Engineering (First Class Honours) 2019 University of Cambridge
For his master’s project, Joe worked with Smith & Wallwork Engineers and Niall Mclaughlin Architects to research the behaviour of a complex sweet chestnut roof structure in Oxford. The paper has been accepted for oral presentation at the World Conference of Timber Engineering, 2020 in Santiago, Chile.
Key Recent Projects
Wraxall Yard, Dorset (Clementine Blakemore Architects) 2020
Durham Wharf, London (Assemble) 2020
Green Templeton College Dining Hall (Feilden Fowles Architects) 2020
Qualifications
MEng Engineering (First Class Honours) 2019 University of Cambridge
Eugenie Sentucq BSc MEng MA Graduate Engineer Eugénie joined Structure Workshop in 2019. Her interest in engineering and architecture is centred around design challenges that combine aesthetics, environmental considerations, and material innovation.
As part of her master thesis, Eugénie explored alternatives to heating in cement manufacture. An emphasis on sustainability has been extended to her professional life, and soon after joining Structure Workshop she led the development of the Structure Workshop Carbon Calculator.
This allows embodied carbon to be calculated and compared for alternative structural solutions, and is now part of the practice standard design procedures.
Key Recent Projects
Charleston Stage (Pup Architects) 2021
Millom Ironworks (IDK Architects) 2021
Qualifications
MEng Engineering 2017 École Spéciale des Travaux Publics de Paris
MA Architecture 2019 École Nationale Supérieure de Paris-La-Villette
As part of her master thesis, Eugénie explored alternatives to heating in cement manufacture. An emphasis on sustainability has been extended to her professional life, and soon after joining Structure Workshop she led the development of the Structure Workshop Carbon Calculator.
This allows embodied carbon to be calculated and compared for alternative structural solutions, and is now part of the practice standard design procedures.
Key Recent Projects
Charleston Stage (Pup Architects) 2021
Millom Ironworks (IDK Architects) 2021
Qualifications
MEng Engineering 2017 École Spéciale des Travaux Publics de Paris
MA Architecture 2019 École Nationale Supérieure de Paris-La-Villette
Daniel Dowek MA MEng CEng MIStructE Associate Daniel joined Structure Workshop in 2021 after three years in Vancouver with Equilibrium Consulting, a small firm known for their innovation in the field of timber engineering and high-tech seismic design.
There he gained exposure to North America’s progressive approach to building with timber at a large scale and the advantages of prefabrication. Prior to Canada, Daniel spent seven years at Price & Myers in London, working on a number of high profile and award-winning projects.
He developed a particular interest in conservation, having enjoyed working on several buildings of historic significance. A highlight being project engineer for the design and construction of a new tower at Westminster Abbey, which was the first major architectural intervention at the Abbey since the time of Christopher Wren and Nicolas Hawksmoor.
In 2018 Daniel’s career was commended by the Institution of Structural Engineers, who named him winner of their Young Professional Award. Since then he has enjoyed engaging with the wider engineering community in Canada and the UK, including judging awards for the IStructE each year.
Qualifications
MA MEng Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering 2011
University of Cambridge
There he gained exposure to North America’s progressive approach to building with timber at a large scale and the advantages of prefabrication. Prior to Canada, Daniel spent seven years at Price & Myers in London, working on a number of high profile and award-winning projects.
He developed a particular interest in conservation, having enjoyed working on several buildings of historic significance. A highlight being project engineer for the design and construction of a new tower at Westminster Abbey, which was the first major architectural intervention at the Abbey since the time of Christopher Wren and Nicolas Hawksmoor.
In 2018 Daniel’s career was commended by the Institution of Structural Engineers, who named him winner of their Young Professional Award. Since then he has enjoyed engaging with the wider engineering community in Canada and the UK, including judging awards for the IStructE each year.
Qualifications
MA MEng Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering 2011
University of Cambridge
Kaia Wells MEng Graduate Engineer Kaia graduated in Engineering and Architectural Design from the Bartlett School of Architecture. Having been educated at an intersection between environmental engineering (CIBSE), structural engineering (ARB) and architecture (RIBA Part 1), Kaia is interested in holistic design.
Her interests in inclusivity, empowerment, and sustainable building techniques have allowed her to produce publishable work titled “The Good Life: Creating an Inclusive Boat-Home Community”.
She is currently seeking to develop her research on a self-build construction system using London’s waste material into a 1:1 feasibility test, focusing on affordability, ease of use, and bringing people together.
Qualifications
MEng RIBA Part I Engineering and Architectural Design (First Class Honours) 2021
University College London
Her interests in inclusivity, empowerment, and sustainable building techniques have allowed her to produce publishable work titled “The Good Life: Creating an Inclusive Boat-Home Community”.
She is currently seeking to develop her research on a self-build construction system using London’s waste material into a 1:1 feasibility test, focusing on affordability, ease of use, and bringing people together.
Qualifications
MEng RIBA Part I Engineering and Architectural Design (First Class Honours) 2021
University College London