People

Darren Oldfield is the practice Director, which he established in 2013. His vision for architecture is to create high quality sustainable, design-led buildings which substantially improve quality of life through enhanced access to natural light, air and space. Darren believes that good architecture is collaborative, shaped by positive relationships between clients, consultants and contractors – and of course, the staff of the practice. This makes Darren Oldfield Architects a practice that puts people before profit, and ethical business principles first and foremost.

Prior to qualifying as an architect in 2009, Darren received his Diploma (Distinction) in Architecture and Masters in Professional Practice from the University of Nottingham. Darren has worked in a number of award-winning practices across the country, including marsh:grochowski in Nottingham, and bere:architects in London, working on the UK’s first non-residential certified Passivhaus retrofit project. Immediately prior to setting up the practice, he was a project architect for Cowper Griffith Architects in Cambridge, working on a number of education, cultural and social projects for private and third sector clients.

When not in the office, Darren is likely to be tending the garden with his partner Jenny, baking or listening to TMS with a pint alongside Kalli the cat.

Rita is Associate Director at Darren Oldfield Architects, contributing to the strategic vision of the practice as well as its day to day management. She joined the practice in 2015, and has overseen several of the practice’s high end residential projects, such Oglander Road, Pine Walk and Peckham House. Her vision for architecture is to provide sustainable, energy efficient and good quality homes for all, which are true to their materials and fit for purpose.

Rita studied at Queen’s University Belfast for her BSc Architecture (RIBA Part 1) & MArch (RIBA Part II) before completing her Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Practice (RIBA Part III) at the University of Westminster and qualifying as an Architect in 2017.

Outside the practice, Rita is one of the world’s leading Uilleann pipe musicians (that’s Irish Bagpipes to the uninitiated). She has performed all over the world and continues to play regularly across London. In 2019 Rita recorded with Robbie Williams, and appeared on The Graham Norton Show. In 2021 she was elected to the board of the Society of Irish Pipers, and is currently working on a compilation CD of women in Uilleann piping, forthcoming in December 2022.

Lydia joined the Practice in October 2020 as a Part II Architectural Assistant, having previously worked at prestigious practices Knox Bhavan and Ash Sakula.

Lydia studied at the University of Nottingham for her RIBA Part I Architecture degree, specialising in sustainability. She then pursued the sustainability teaching programme for her RIBA Part II Architecture Masters at the Aarhus Arkitekskolen, Denmark. In Aarhus she specialised in intergenerational housing, and has given talks for York City Council on this subject. She embarked on her Part III qualification in Autumn 2021.

Outside of her working time, Lydia is a keen sea swimmer and cyclist, and has recently taken up jewellery-making.

Dominic joined us in October 2021 after graduating from his BA Architecture at Newcastle University. He has played Basketball since he was 15, and recently returned to painting as part of his creative practice.

In his spare time Jack is a keen skateboarder & cyclist.

Jenny is the Practice’s Head of Culture and Operations, dealing with business strategy and development, marketing, HR and communications. She’s been involved in Darren Oldfield Architects since it first started – though in a more informal capacity, as she is also Darren’s partner in life as well as in business!

Outside the practice, Jenny is a writer, mentor and coach, and an academic researcher on film and visual culture. In her spare time, she swims and practices yoga, as well as tending the allotment and garden.

Kalli took over as office mascot in September 2020 after we lost our wonderful Juno.  You will mainly find her disrupting any attempt for Darren to work efficiently from home!