Who we are
Croft Design Collective are a group of architecture professionals with expertise in the environmental design of buildings. Working together in our Sheffield studio we aim to create beautiful, user-focused and highly sustainable buildings by working collaboratively with our clients and fellow professionals.
Formed by graduates of the Centre for Alternative Technology, a sustainable approach is at the heart of everything we do. While every project will have a lead we take a collaborative approach within our studio. This means we each bring our own specialisms and skill sets to the table...
Formed by graduates of the Centre for Alternative Technology, a sustainable approach is at the heart of everything we do. While every project will have a lead we take a collaborative approach within our studio. This means we each bring our own specialisms and skill sets to the table...
James Kirkman
James is particularly inspired by the impact architecture has on the lives and wellbeing of the people using the spaces we design. With an aspiration to create designs bespoke to the clients’ personality, he facilitates an open dialogue throughout the project from the very early design stages. This inevitably leads to good working relationships with our clients. An aptitude for carpentry led him to architecture but continues to inform the design process, with a thorough understanding of material choices, detailing and buildability in the context of our sustainability ethos. His delight in being able to put the necessary care and time into projects, which they so deserve, instigated the setup of Croft Design Collective. James oversees the practice management and manages day to day operations within our Sheffield Studio.
| Wellbeing | TechnicalDesign | UserFocused
When not at the drawing board... James is likely to be found cooking up a delight, growing veg or making a mess in the workshop.
| Wellbeing | TechnicalDesign | UserFocused
When not at the drawing board... James is likely to be found cooking up a delight, growing veg or making a mess in the workshop.
Flo McKnight
Flo is driven by our ethical responsibility to both the clients, as individuals, and to the wider planet. Bringing a rigour and keen eye for detail to the design table enables him to improve comfort, affordability and joyfulness for the client, whatever the project. Having qualified as a Certified Passivhaus Designer, he is also highly skilled in modelling the energy consumption of our designs which are tested and refined throughout the design process. With a recognition that sustainability goes beyond insulation, airtightness and natural materials he is keen to take a holistic approach to sustainability. Drawing on a detailed understanding of building physics, through Enerphit training, and practical experience retrofitting houses he has developed our Retrofit Advice Service.
| Low Energy Design | Passivhaus Designer | Retrofit
When not at the drawing board... Flo is likely to be found plunging into a freezing cold river, renovating his house or parenting.
| Low Energy Design | Passivhaus Designer | Retrofit
When not at the drawing board... Flo is likely to be found plunging into a freezing cold river, renovating his house or parenting.
Eve Williams
Eve brings a sensitivity and clarity to the design process, helping her to ground designs in the surrounding context. An interest in vernacular architecture sparked research into conservation and craftsmanship, leading to practical building experience on a range of projects using natural materials. Having worked in conservation at a number of architecture practices she has an aptitude for sensitively adapting existing buildings to meet the needs of present-day and future users. Whether its an extension, re-modelling or a retrofit, she is frequently designing within existing tight spaces to optimise the efficiency of the space for the user whilst considering wellbeing, comfort and energy efficiency.
| Conservation | Retrofit | Extension
When not at the drawing board... Eve is likely to be found gardening, sailing a dinghy on the nearest lake or exploring the Peaks.
| Conservation | Retrofit | Extension
When not at the drawing board... Eve is likely to be found gardening, sailing a dinghy on the nearest lake or exploring the Peaks.
Gwyn Stacey
Gwyn brings a particular aptitude for facilitating collaboration in architecture. This can be seen through his work as a Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Architecture at the Centre for Alternative Technology, but also through his passion to integrate low energy building techniques into the mainstream construction industry. With an interest in community and conservation he roots designs within their surrounding context while celebrating cultural heritage and traditional skills in a modern context.
Gwyn is both teaching and exploring the latest thinking in sustainable architecture, which continually informs our work at Croft. He is often found working with materials such as hemp:lime, bracken-crete, straw and earth while encouraging his students to test these materials in creative new ways.
| Education | Conservation | Community
When not at the drawing board... Gwyn is likely to be found sailing the high seas, managing his woodland, or firing up the pizza oven with a cider in hand!
Gwyn is both teaching and exploring the latest thinking in sustainable architecture, which continually informs our work at Croft. He is often found working with materials such as hemp:lime, bracken-crete, straw and earth while encouraging his students to test these materials in creative new ways.
| Education | Conservation | Community
When not at the drawing board... Gwyn is likely to be found sailing the high seas, managing his woodland, or firing up the pizza oven with a cider in hand!
Our Practice
We are united in our sustainability values, seeking to respect nature through designs which have a light touch on the planets resources. We aim to go further to design buildings that are both healthy and comfortable for their users, whilst saving energy and money.
Since we are all partners in Croft, we all have a responsibility for the business and refinement of our services. We believe this is best for our team and best for our clients. In working with us you will always be working with someone who is an integral part of the business.
Since we are all partners in Croft, we all have a responsibility for the business and refinement of our services. We believe this is best for our team and best for our clients. In working with us you will always be working with someone who is an integral part of the business.
Professional Development
We are always keen to learn, to advance our capabilities in design & environmental architecture, as well as to develop our business. Through collaborating in our studio and with a wide network of industry professionals and specialists, we are always improving our skills and knowledge. We are also frequently enhancing our systems and the information we produce, all with the aim to be the best we can for our clients.
Education
We are continually involved in education and have close ties with the Centre for Alternative Technology and Sheffield Hallam University. We enjoy working with educators, discussing the latest research and working with students who are taking their journey into Sustainable Architecture.
FAQ's
We are sure that you have lots of questions when thinking about your new project. We have collated some of the questions that often get asked, to try to provide as much information as possible about us and how we work.
FAQ's
Start your Project
If you have any questions about how we work,
or would like to chat about getting started with your project.
Contact Us
Our Projects
Take a look at some of our projects to see how ideas come to life through this process.
Our Projects