About us

Practice Profile

jmarchitects is an award winning architectural practice with extensive experience in education, community, health, social housing, commercial, private residential, retail, and sports and leisure projects. 

We regularly undertake complex projects ranging in value from £25k to £100m. 'Complexity' can take the form of multiple client / stakeholder representatives, phased demolition and construction over an extended period of time, site sensitivity or listed status of existing fabric, or even simply the scale of a particularly large, involved project. We have experience in all of these areas; our team scopes the level of complexity from the outset and formulates an action plan to manage and control any challenges throughout.

Corporate, Social and Environmental Responsibility

Environmental policy

jmarchitects believe that high quality sustainable design is an essential part of the evolution of good buildings.  Environmental understanding should inform all our projects. We have therefore established a policy which commits the company to the adoption of a sustainable approach to design, working with our clients and other members of the design and construction team to produce architecture which minimises its impact on the environment now and into the future. To read our full policy click here

Philosophy

Our aim to create the best spaces, buildings and places with a level of design excellence that satisfies, delights and inspires. We understand that the success of any project lies in the relationship between client and architect; hence we adopt a collaborative, balanced and integrated approach.

Success is ultimately measured against our clients’ needs and objectives. By listening to and understanding their goals, we ensure their expectations correspond with our own. We consider all the key design drivers of each project including cost, programme, life cycle, and operations requirements.

We seek to establish and maintain an open communication and consultation process, which allows all stakeholders to be involved at the right level and at the right time. Our experience ranges across a number of sectors, and we ensure our team has a high level of design experience in many building types, allowing cross-fertilisation between building forms and types. Our track record demonstrates the quality of our work: the practice has won numerous high profile awards, both for design and technical services.  

We seek to exceed the expectations of our clients by creating design solutions inspired by location, site and place that provide sustainability, flexibility and delight.

Awards

2017

• Scottish Home Awards - Holyrood Postgraduate Village - Shortlisted
• RIAS Awards - Holyrood Postgraduate Village - Shortlisted
• RIAS Awards - James Gillespie's Campus - Shortlisted
• RIAS Awards - Portobello High School - Shortlisted
• Scottish Design Awards - Holyrood Postgraduate Village - Winner (Regeneration)
• Scottish Design Awards - Holyrood Postgraduate Village - Winner (Public Realm and Landscaping)
• Scottish Design Awards - James Gillespie's - Shortlisted (Education Building)
• EAA Awards - Holyrood Postgraduate Village - Commendation (Large Project Award)
• EAA Awards - James Gillespie's Campus - Shortlisted
• Construction News Project of the Year Award - Albert Halls, Bolton - Winner
• Living Heritage Award - Albert Halls, Bolton - Winner

 

2016

• Property Week Student Accommodation Awards - Holyrood Postgraduate Village - Best University Halls of Residence 
• Scottish Property Awards Student Accommodation Development of the Year - Holyrood Postgraduate Village - Winner
• Scottish Property Awards Architectural Excellence Award - James Gillespies Campus - Winner
• Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning - Holyrood Postgraduate Village - Winner
• CUBO Awards - Holyrood Postgraduate Village - Best Student Housing 
• GIA - Education - James Gillespie High School - Winner
• Civic Trust Awards - Kirroughtree Visitor Centre - Winner
• AR Future Projects Commendation - Market Street Hotel
• Civic Trust Awards - Regional Finalist - The Albus
  

 

2015

• Scheuco Excellence Awards - Glasgow School of Art - Winner
• Scottish Property Awards - Albus - Architectural Excellence Award (Commercial Buildings)
• Scottish Design Awards - Glasgow School of Art - Chairman’s Award
• Scottish Design Awards - Glasgow School of Art - Award
• Scottish Design Awards - Glasgow School of Art Student’s Association - Award
• Scottish Design Awards - Kirroughtree Visitor Centre - Commendation
• Scottish Design Awards -James Gillespie’s High School Future Building – Commendation
• Scottish Design Awards - Castlepark Primary School and Nursery - Nomination
• Scottish Design Awards - Portobello High School - Nomination
• Scottish Design Awards - jmarchitects’ Glasgow Studio - Nomination
• RIAS awards  - jmarchitects’ Glasgow Studio - Shortlisted
• RIAS awards  - Glasgow School of Art - Shortlisted

 

2014      

• Scottish Property Awards (2015) - The Albus - Finalist
• Institute of Structural Engineers - Arts/Entertainment - Glasgow School of Art - Winner
• GIA - Glasgow School of Art - Supreme Winner
• GIA - Education - Glasgow School of Art - Winner
• GIA - Small Buildings - Assembly Building at the Glasgow School of Art - Winner 
• GIA - Leisure/Arts - Kirroughtree Visitor Centre - Winner
• Concrete Society Awards - Glasgow School of Art - Certificate of Excellence
• IAA - Moray College - Winner
• Civic Society Awards Aberdeen - Aberdeen Health Care Village - Mention
• AJ100 Building of the Year - Glasgow School of Art - Winner
• Scottish Design Awards - Alexander Graham Bell Centre - Winner
• Scottish Civic Trust My Place Award - Alexander Graham Bell Centre - Shortlisted
• Scottish Civic Trust My Place Award - St Andrew’s Crescent - Shortlisted
• Edinburgh Architectural Association Award - Alexander Graham Bell Centre - Shortlisted
• Scottish Property Awards Development of the Year - Maryhill Burgh Halls - Winner
• Civic Trust Awards - Maryhill Burgh Halls - Finalist

 

2013      

• International Design Competition - George Square, Glasgow - Finalist

 

2012      

• GIA Design Award for Conservation - Maryhill Burgh Halls - Winner
• National BCO Award - Creative Scotland Fit-Out - Winner
• WAN Healthcare Award - Musselburgh Primary Care Centre - Shortlisted
• Office Agents Society Best West End Development - Sackville Street, London - Shortlisted
• Scottish Design Award Architecture Grand Prix - Hillhead Primary School - Winner
• Scottish Design Award for Education Project - Hillhead Primary School - Winner
• Scottish Design Award - Re-Use of a Listed Building - Maryhill Burgh Halls - Shortlisted
• AJ100 Building of the Year - Hillhead Primary School - Shortlisted
• Scottish BCO Award for Projects Up to 2,000m^{2 -} Creative Scotland Fit-Out - Winner
• London and South East BCO Regional Award -15 Sackville Street, London - Shortlisted
• RIAS Awards - Hillhead Primary School - Shortlisted
• Scottish Civic Trust My Place Award - Maryhill Burgh Halls - Winner
• Edinburgh Architectural Association Award - Maryhill Burgh Halls - Shortlisted
• Edinburgh Architectural Association Award - Hillhead Primary School - Shortlisted

 

2011      

• Designing for Education:  Exemplary Facilities - Elm Court School - Winner
• RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland - Hillhead Primary School - Shortlisted
• Scottish Design Awards Health Building of the Year - Firrhill Respite Centre - Shortlisted

 

2010     

• Best Contribution to Urban Regeneration Scotland - Maryhill Burgh Halls - Winner
• International Design Competition - V&A Museum, Dundee - Finalist
• Community Health Partnerships LIFT Awards - The Halewood Centre - Winner
• BSEC Awards  - Elm Court School, London - Winner
• Scottish Civic Trust My Place Award - Stirling Cricket Club - Winner

 

2009      

• Excellence in BSF - Best Remodelled School - Elm Court School, London - Winner
• International Design Competition - Glasgow School of Art - Winner
• Stirling Civic Trust Award - Stirling Cricket Club - Winner
• Stirling Civic Trust Award - Dunblane High School - Winner
• Stirling Civic Trust Award - Raploch Community Campus  - Winner
• Scottish Design Award - Public Realm/Landscaping - The Maze, Glasgow - Winner
• Scottish Design Award - Affordable Housing - Moore Street - Winner
• Scottish Design Award - Cumbernauld Road - Winner
• RIBA Award - Moore Street - Winner
• Sustainable Building of the Year Award - Bluebell Lane Health Centre - Winner
•  LIFT Area of the Year Award - Renova Developments Ltd - Winner
•  International Design Competition - Scotswood Expo, Newcastle - Winner
•  EBA Building Award - Donaldson’s College - Commended

 

2008     

• West Lothian Good Access Award - Donaldson’s College - Winner
• ASA Listed Building -  Stirling Cricket Club - Winner 
• ASA Listed Building - Oban Primary School - Winner
• ASA Listed Building - Lochside View - Winner
• Roses Design Awards - Young Architect of the Year - Winner
• Roses Design Awards - Residential Award - Lochside View - Winner
• Architectural Practice Award for Excellence - jmarchitects - Shortlisted
• ‘CNBC Arabian Property Awards - Al Marjan, Dubai - Winner 
• Scottish Design Award Young Architect of the Year - jmarchitects - Winner
• Scottish Design Award Residential Award - Lochside View - Winner
• Roses Award for Best Residential Project - Cumbernauld Road Housing - Winner
• GIA Design Awards - Cumbernauld Road Housing - Commended
• GIA Design Awards - Reidvale Neighbourhood Centre - Commended

 

2007     

• LIFT Awards - Best Lift Co - Renova Developments Ltd - Winner
• Green Apple Award for Sustainability - Potteric Carr Visitors Centre - Winner
• Scotland’s Housing Expo - Highland Housing Fair - Winner
• ASA Listed Building - Carlibar Community Campus - Winner
• ASA Listed Building - Linn Park House - Winner
• Civic Trust Special Award - Clydebank Rebuilt - Winner

 

2006                      

• Scottish Design Award - Clydebank Rebuilt - Winner

 

2005                      

• GIA Design Award - Clydebank Rebuilt - Winner
• GIA Design Award - Smillie House - Winner

 

2004                      

• Midlothian Council Building of the Year Award - St Andrews Primary School - Winner

 

2003      

• Civic Trust Award for Redevelopment/Restoration - West Wemyss, Fife - Winner
• Saltire Award - The Granary, Elie - Winner

 

2002      

• GIA Design Award - The Granary, Elie - Winner
• GIA Design Award - Glasgow New Synagogue - Winner
• GIA Design Award - McGovern House - Winner
• Civic Trust Award - Graham Square, Glasgow - Winner
• GIA Design Award - Fieldwork - Winner
• RTPI commendation - Graham Square, Glasgow - Commended
• RIAS Award for Architecture - Graham Square, Glasgow - Shortlisted
• Ibstock Brick Design Award - Homes for the Future - Winner

 

2001      

• GIA Design Award  -Oakshaw 1, Paisley - Winner
• RIBA Client of the Year Award - Graham Square, Glasgow - Winner 
• Saltire Awards - Graham Square, Glasgow - Winner
• Saltire Awards - Homes for the Future - Winner
• RIBA Regional Award - Graham Square, Glasgow - Winner
• Scottish Design Award – Regeneration Award - Graham Square, Glasgow - Winner
• Scottish Design Award – Chairman’s Award - Graham Square, Glasgow - Winner
• Townscape Heritage Initiative - Merchant Cityscape, Glasgow - Winner
• Regeneration of Scotland Supreme Award - Graham Square, Glasgow - Winner
• Regeneration of Scotland Supreme Award - Homes for the Future - Winner
• Scottish Property Awards: Commercial Property - Princes Exchange, Edinburgh - Winner

 

2000      

• Regeneration of Scotland Supreme Award - Graham Square, Glasgow - Winner
• Regeneration of Scotland Supreme Award - Homes for the Future - Winner
• Building Design ‘Innovative Building of the Year’ - Graham Square, Glasgow - Winner
• GIA Design Award - Graham Square, Glasgow - Winner
• GIA Design Award - Homes for the Future - Winner

 

1999      

• The Glasgow Collection Exhibition Design - jmarchitects - Winner
• Aberdeen Civic Society - Aberdeen Academy  - Commended

 

1998      

• NAS Design Partnership Award - Royal Bank of Scotland - Commended
• Design Competition - Royston Community Music Project - Shortlisted
• Invited Design Competition - Fish Market Close - Shortlisted
• Regeneration of Scotland Awards - Portobello Swim Centre - Commended

 

1997      

• Design Competition - Homes for the Future - Winner
• Pilot HAG Competition - Scottish Homes - Winner

 

1996      

• Design Competition - Mutsul House - Commended

 

1995      

• Design Competition - RSNO Henry Wood Hall - Winner

We are always happy to consider high quality architectural CVs from architects, students and technicians of all levels.

Please submit a CV and examples of portfolio work (10MB maximum) in the first instance to edinburgh@jmarchitects.net

 

Architects and Part II Architectural Assistants

Immediate Staff Opportunities in Edinburgh

We have immediate vacancies for architects and Part II staff to join our busy Edinburgh studio to work on projects across an exciting range of sectors. We would be delighted to hear from talented and ambitious architects and Part II's who would be interested in joining us.

You should have enthusiasm, excellent design, technical and communication skills along with proven project delivery experience, and you should be comfortable working in AutoCAD (Revit an advantage), and freehand, to express your ideas.

jmarchitects has over 100 staff across the UK, in offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Manchester. Projects recently completed from our Edinburgh studio include the award winning Holyrood North student accommodation development; The James Gillespie's Campus Project and a series of visitors centres across Scotland for the Forestry Commission. Live projects include the Market Street Boutique Hotel and the Buccleuch Place student development, both of which are in the Edinburgh Old Town, a number of housing and education projects across Scotland and the St Bart's Maggies Centre where we are working as executive Architect to Steven Holl and managing the delivery of a groundbreaking project in the heart of the old city of London.

Please submit a CV and examples of portfolio work (10MB maximum) in the first instance to edinburgh@jmarchitects.net

jmarchitects is enthusiastically committed to promoting equality and diversity