ABOUT
Metashape Architects Limited is a progressive architectural studio established in 2019 with offices in London, Winchester, and Europe.
We take a creative approach to each of our projects to achieve unique, well-crafted, socially responsible and sustainable design solutions. Through our work we give rise to and celebrate craft, to bring about an architecture with its own identity whilst sitting in harmony with the local context.
We embrace a collaborative design process from the early stages to allow our highly skilled team to create innovative and contemporary buildings with our clients.
Our services cover all RIBA Stages to bring about the realisation of a project. These services include not only architecture, but urban planning and interior design, from concept to completion.
TEAM
Ian Liptrot
Director and Founder
BA(Hons) MArch ARB RIBA
Prior to setting up Metashape Architects, Ian spent the majority of his career working at a commercial architectural practice. In 2004, he helped to establish a central London office and was responsible for leading a team of Architects and looking after residential sector clients.
Ian is an experienced delivery and design Architect, specialising in creative architectural and urban design solutions within challenging sites whilst responding to the client brief. Ian has a wealth of experience running projects on site under Design & Build and Traditional forms of Contract. He is adept as chairing Design Team meetings, working with Local Authority departments, and presenting at Planning Committees.
Ian has worked on multiple residential schemes over the 15 years since being qualified. The range of projects includes private and affordable housing, mews houses, mixed-use apartment schemes, hostels for the homeless for charities, and housing schemes for both private developers and housing associations.
Education projects include nursery, primary and secondary schools, HE and community sector work where each project combine innovative design solutions with a comprehensive understanding of budgetary constraints to meet the needs of the end user.
Before Co-founding Metashape, Alex worked alongside Ian for several years at a top architectural practice in central London. He is a highly skilled design and delivery architect who has managed large projects in residential, commercial and education sectors, from inception through to completion. He is passionate about great design and strives for excellence in all aspects of practice.
Alex has a wealth of experience in navigating complex planning processes, and he has worked with a range of stakeholders and communities to develop narrative-led designs that enhance their surroundings.
He is passionate about sustainable technologies, and keen to reduce the environmental impact of design and construction. He was an early advocate of Building Information Modelling (BIM), and experienced in managing teams for the design, coordination, and construction of small-scale residential projects to multi-million-pound mixed-use schemes.
Alex Giles
Director and Founder
BA(Hons) MArch ARB RIBA
Debbie Kapodistria
Project Architect
BA(Hons) DipArch MPhil Cantab ARB
Debbie is an experienced Project Architect with an MPhil in Environmental Design in Architecture from the University of Cambridge, a Diploma in Architecture with Distinction and 12 years work experience in both the UK and Germany. Debbie has extensive experience in the residential & sports sector and in sustainable design. She has worked alongside both developers and contractors and is
responsible for the day-to-day running of projects.
Throughout her work experience, she has been involved in a number of innovative projects, including the investigation of the latest environmental technologies to achieve an 80% carbon reduction of a Grade II listed Georgian property, part of the Grosvenor Estate portfolio. She was also part of several award winning competition teams, including the University of Nottingham Sports Centre, the Brierfield Mills Masterplan in Lancashire, a mixed-use development at Alexanderplatz in Berlin and the Office for Urban Development and Environment in Hamburg.
Debbie has worked for a number of outstanding design practices that include Page/Park Architects, Sauerbruch Hutton Architects, David Morley Architects and DLA Architecture.
Rachel is a qualified architect and joined the studio in 2021; after obtaining her qualifications a Manchester School of Architecture, Rachel worked in London for three years prior to joining Metashape. Having also studied and worked in Paris and Shanghai, Rachel has experience in residential, community and healthcare architecture, running projects and managing teams.
She has an interest in historic buildings and a passion for adapting them for contemporary use. Her studies at university in the continuity of architecture has given her an appreciation of conservation and contextualism. Rachel focusses on developing a strong narrative in her work and ensuring historical value is explored and retained.
Rachel enjoys the hands-on side of construction and spent one summer travelling France to volunteer on house building sites. She has a broad range of experience across all work stages, and has completed the construction of several projects, including new healthcare departments, a police training centre and several residential schemes.
Rachel Spink
Project Architect
BA(Hons) MArch ARB RIBA
Jacob Whatley
Part II Architectural Assistant
BA(Hons) MArch
Jacob is a Part II Architectural Assistant, joining Metashape shortly after completing his Masters at the University of Portsmouth, with a Distinction.
Whilst studying Jacob obtained a passion for 3D modelling and visualisation, using various software packages to form complex structures and bringing them to life. His Thesis Project was a redevelopment of a significant Italian landmark, breaking it down and rebuilding it to change its function and meaning.
During his Masters Jacob gained valuable experience as a tutor within the Portsmouth School of Architecture, teaching Bachelors students everything from orthographic drawing to 3D modelling and rendering.
Jacob’s passion for 3D modelling, 3D printing and Graphical Representation, along with a natural ability with information technology make him the perfect fit for our progressive studio.
Caroline joined the studio as a Part II Architectural Assistant in 2023. She completed her qualifications at the University of the West of England and Oxford Brookes University, gaining a background in Architecture and Planning.
Whilst completing her postgraduate studies, Caroline’s passion for both architecture and place-making led her to specialise in Urban Design. During this time, she enjoyed developing community-oriented schemes based in the UK and Singapore. Her design approach is rooted in research, and she received recognition from the university for her exploration of place identity and socially responsive architecture.
Caroline brings to the studio a strong eye for detail and solid understanding of context-led design, as well as her professional experience working on educational, healthcare, and residential projects. She looks forward to completing her final qualifications to become an architect.
Caroline Sait
Part II Architectural Assistant
BA(Hons) MArchD