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Colin Armstrong Architects Inverness

Striking the right balance between creative thinking and pragmatism

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Projects

The Team

Colin Armstrong

Chairman

Mike Lawson

Managing Director

David Cameron

Director

Andrew Lilley

Director

Will Miller

Associate

Michael Macdonald

Associate

Neil Gibb

Architectural Technician

Robert Grant

Architectural Assistant

Janice Logie

Practice Manager

Debbie McLean

Architectural Technician

Alek Rozin

Architectural Technician

Creative vision

For over thirty years, Colin Armstrong Architects Inverness has provided a diverse range of architectural services to both public and private sector clients across the North, Highlands, and Islands of Scotland.

 

In that time, the business has grown and helped architectural projects come alive with imagination, flair and vision. We currently have a dedicated team of 11 experienced and qualified staff.

We are well accustomed to working across Scotland, with recent projects completed as far afield as Ayr, Orkney, Skye and Aberdeen. 

We place great importance in listening carefully to our clients and tailoring our service to suit their specific needs. Adopting a client-led approach has enabled us to build and galvanise relationships with key stakeholders across the region, including public and private sector clients, Building Standards, Planning authorities, statutory consultees and consultants. 

Our Inverness studio is well-resourced, and our staff cover a wide area of expertise and skill levels. From creative and innovative concept design; through design and delivery to technical designers with decades of experience, we have accumulated many years working within complex regulatory frameworks and with an intimate understanding of construction and buildability. Our architectural team all use industry-standard design software, working exclusively in 3-d format. We understand the benefits, and we are well-versed in collaborating with wider design teams through BIM (Building Information Modelling). 

Always looking to strike the right balance between creative thinking and pragmatism helps us to develop designs that deliver on client aspirations, yet are grounded in reality, technical competence and, above all, deliverability. It is this balanced way of thinking that helps us to drive forward the best solutions for our clients. We have worked for businesses across all main industry sectors and take pride in ensuring clients receive the best service and end users get the benefit of well-considered design. 

Sustainable design and living, together with a focus on low-carbon, renewable energy systems, also provide a strong foundation for every commission. We take our architectural responsibilities seriously, providing a high-quality built environment. 

Above all, Colin Armstrong Architects Inverness, understand the fundamental principles of how to achieve good quality, appropriate contextual design. We very much look forward to continuing to provide a quality service to our clients for years to come.

Projects

talk to the team

+44 1463 712288

architects@colinarmstrong.com

Lyle House, 
Fairways Business Park,
Inverness,
IV2 6AA

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COLIN ARMSTRONG

Chairman

Qualifications:
BSc (Hons) in Architecture
Diploma in Advanced Architectural Studies
Former Corporate Member of the Royal Institute of British Architects
Former Fellow of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS)
Past Chapter President, RIAS
Former Passivehaus Certified 

Colin Armstrong founded the practice in 1991.  The company operates throughout the north of Scotland and is currently involved in projects as far apart as Orkney, Aberdeenshire, Fort William and the Western Isles.  Colin attended the Finnish Housing Fair in 2006, 2007 and 2008 and, along with annual visits to relatives in Stockholm, maintains a close interest in Scandinavian building standards and innovative building techniques. 

Since he arrived in Inverness, Colin has been engaged in projects of all sizes across virtually all market sectors throughout the Highlands and Islands.  Working for key repeat clients has allowed him to build long-term relationships with the individual clients themselves, helping him to understand and respond to their aspirations and detailed requirements.  Colin has maintained a particular personal interest in sustainable construction.  He has been fortunate enough to have been responsible for some of the largest and most innovative sustainable projects in the Highlands to date (e.g. Horizon Scotland, Aviemore North, Home Farm, Portree and currently, the Westercraig’s housing project in Inverness). 

Colin was involved in developing the infrastructure and individual buildings on many of Inverness’ office parks.  In principle, the practice was involved with Beechwood House, including all but one of the buildings there and Inverness Business & Retail Park.  The latter involved the construction of Highland & Islands Enterprises headquarters at Cowan House and NHS Highland office facilities at the John Dewar building.

Mike Lawson

Managing Director

Qualifications    

MSc Project Management
Member of the Chartered Institute of Building
HNC Architectural Technology

 

Mike Lawson joined Colin Armstrong Architects in 2016.  From Inverness, he studied locally to qualify in architectural technology and later achieved a Master’s degree in Project Management at the University of Aberdeen.  Mike has gained 30 years of experience working in the construction industry in both architecture and project management. ​

Progressing to an industry professional, he takes responsibility for project delivery, design team coordination and office management. Mike has built, over many years, solid, trusting relationships within the design and construction community and now carries responsibility for wider business management and development in addition to project delivery across all market sectors.

DAVID CAMERON

Director

Qualifications    

BSc in Architecture (1997)
BArch (Hons) in Architecture (2000)
Member of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland
CSCS Construction Visitor Cardholder

David Cameron joined Colin Armstrong Architects in 2002.  Originally from Sutherland, he studied in Dundee and, after working in Edinburgh for a spell, returned to the Highlands to be involved in many interesting and challenging projects during his time with the practice. 

During his time with the practice, he has been engaged in speculative and corporate office design, public facilities, as well as affordable and private housing design. He has a particular interest in contemporary architecture and considers sustainable design as essential from the first principles of the process.  David has recently visited the Finnish Housing Fair and recently a German off-site timber frame construction factory.  These visits have, in different ways, deepened his understanding and interest in all aspects of sustainable design, appropriate use of materials, building technology, insulation techniques and detailing. 

In recent years, David has been the project architect for a corporate office headquarters building, a series of private homes, a number of Housing Association schemes and a conversion development of private flats, all within the Highland area.  All of these projects have been designed to be as low-energy as possible and have incorporated heavily insulated air-tight fabric, ground source heating systems, mechanical ventilation and heat recovery systems, solar thermal and photovoltaic panels. 

Andrew Lilley

Director

Qualifications

BSc(Hons) in Architecture
MArch

Andrew joined Colin Armstrong Architects in 2017. After completing his studies at the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture in Aberdeen, he spent 5 years working for private practice in Edinburgh. During his time in the central belt, he had good training in best practice contemporary commercial and residential design. He returned to the Highlands in 2012 and has worked on a variety of projects, including affordable and private housing and master planning, as well as commercial buildings, including offices, retail units, industrial buildings and refurbishment/conservation works.

Andrew’s personable nature and good communication skills help him to get to the heart of the client’s brief. His creativity, understanding of context and love of design is backed up by a solid technical foundation. He enjoys working closely with clients, colleagues, consultants, stakeholders, and statutory bodies to develop creative and imaginative solutions.

Will Miller

Associate

Qualifications :

HNC in Architectural Technology

Will joined Colin Armstrong Architects in May 2021 as a Senior Architectural Technician and has quickly become a key member of the team. He has delivered projects across various sectors but has a particular aptitude for affordable housing schemes.

After studying at the University of Highland & Islands, Will spent time with one of Scotland’s largest practices, where he became experienced in delivering large and complex projects. He has since worked at a variety of scales on a range of building types and has even gained vital hands-on experience while house building and developing efficient working methods for a local prefabricated ecological home company.

Will’s key skills lie in his extensive technical knowledge and his focused approach to following design briefs and demonstrating compliance. He has a passion for robust detailing and brings a hard-working approach and good communication skills to all his projects.

Michael Macdonald

Associate

Qualifications    

BArch in Architectural Studies (2009)
BArch (Hons) In Architectural Studies (2011)
PgDip in Advanced Architectural Design (2012)
CSCS Construction Visitor Cardholder

Michael Macdonald joined Colin Armstrong Architects in February 2013. Originally from Inverness, he studied in Glasgow at the University of Strathclyde and has previously worked at Maxwell and Company, another Inverness-based Architecture firm, during his placements as part of his training.

During his time at the practice, he has been involved in a wide variety of projects, including social and private housing, conversions and alterations to existing buildings and commercial fit-outs, among many more. Michael is enthusiastic and knowledgeable, having a good background in timber frame construction, having worked on-site as a labourer for a Joinery firm in Inverness during his University years. His interests include modern design as well as utilising existing buildings that may have fallen into disuse for new and exciting purposes.

Neil Gibb

Architectural Technician

​Qualifications    

​HNC Architectural Technology

Neil joined Colin Armstrong Architects in 2016 and has over seventeen years’ experience working as an Architectural Technician.

He has contributed to a wide range of projects across the residential, commercial, and healthcare sectors. Neil supports the team in producing detailed drawing packages and specifications and plays an active role in the coordination and supervision of on-site works.

Known for his strong attention to detail, Neil takes great pride in the quality and accuracy of his work. He is committed to delivering thoughtful, well-resolved design solutions and ensuring a high standard of technical delivery across all stages of a project.

Neil values strong working relationships with Clients, Local Authorities, Contractors and Colleagues maintaining an approachable manner and professionalism that help ensure smooth and successful project delivery.

Neil brings a genuine enthusiasm for architecture and is dedicated to continuing his professional development as an Architectural Technician.

Robert Grant

Architectural Assistant

Qualifications    

BArch
BArch (Hons)
MArch

Rob joined Colin Armstrong Architects in August 2016 after working at Keppie Design (Inverness). Prior to this, he spent four and half years at an ECO – modular design and build company. ​

During Rob’s employment at Keppie, he worked on a wide variety of projects, including schools, leisure and hotel projects. 

During his time at an ECO modular manufacturer, Rob was the lead designer and liaison with consultants and clients. He has in-depth experience in timber frame construction and has delivered projects across Scotland. ​

Rob studied at Dundee University, where his thesis explored the way in which we design sustainable communities for the future. 

He brings an in-depth knowledge of design and enthusiasm and desire to gain further experience working towards becoming an  Architect. 

Janice Logie

Practice  Manager

Janice joined Colin Armstrong Associates in March 1997, having moved back to Inverness from Manchester, where she had worked for two architectural practices in her time there.

Janice is responsible for the efficient and effective day-to-day functioning of the office and the overall successful smooth running of the practice.  She carries out many varied duties, including assisting with company finances, HR management and devising and maintaining office systems, and generally managing the office administration and the associated tasks on a day-to-day basis.

Debbie McLean

Architectural Technician

Qualifications

HNC Architectural Technology

Debbie joined Colin Armstrong Architects in April 2018 as an Architectural Technician.

She has gained many years of experience in architecture working in Inverness-based practices and has worked on a range of projects, including residential, industrial, healthcare and commercial developments. 

Throughout these projects, Debbie has been involved from the feasibility and design development stages through to construction and completion.  Works undertaken include construction detailing, administration of applications for statutory consent and close liaison with clients and contractors throughout the construction process, providing friendly and helpful support.

ALEK ROZIN

Architectural Technician

Qualifications    

BArch
BArch (Hons)
MArch

Alek Rozin joined Colin Armstrong Architects in April 2007.  An enthusiastic and highly motivated individual who has a clear understanding of the role and associated responsibilities. Having the ability to provide support on multiple concurrent projects while maintaining and developing effective working relationships with Clients, Local Authorities, Design Team members, Contractors and colleagues to ensure an informative, helpful and friendly, high-standard service. Effective solution skills, working under pressure and comfortable with adapting to site constraints as they arise while maintaining timescale, budget and compliance with Regulations.