Kath Thomson is an architect, interior designer and sole owner of a North Berwick practice that undertakes all manner of building and design projects ranging from one-off houses to residential extensions, alterations and retail/commercial interiors. 

Having always had an interest in the built environment and a creative ability, Kath was drawn towards architecture as a career as a teenager, a decision confirmed by work experience in an architect’s office and talking to friends who were architects.

A graduate of Oxford Brookes University, Kath worked as a senior designer for a large architectural practice for a number of years before setting up on her own in 1997. She has also worked in London, Hong Kong and Singapore. Commisions to date have ranged from commercial, educational and retail projects to one off houses and numerous alterations and extensions throughout the Lothians.

“One of the satisfying things about doing even modest projects is that a fairly ordinary property can be transformed by extending or altering it in some way to create a unique home with character,” Kath explains. “Ultimately this also adds value to the property and creates a more comfortable and enjoyable home environment. Regardless of the size of the project, there’s always scope to be creative and to add value.







 

Every project is unique and the first step is always to obtain an in-depth brief, working with a client to reveal their exact needs, style ideas, personal preferences and practical requirements. On the basis of this information Kath prepares an initial design for discussion prior to coming up with the final solution. “The key to a successful project, I believe, is being able to listen to the client and interpret their requirements in a creative way.  I feel strongly the environment where people work or live reflects their enjoyment and day to day life,” she adds.

Many people assume that hiring an architect is an expensive business when the truth is that NOT using an architect, particularly for the initial feasibility study, can potentially cost far more. For an extension or alteration project, a meeting with Kath to explore the feasibility, measure the property and prepare initial scale drawings to highlight options would cost in the region of £200, depending on the size and complexity of the project. It’s often during this initial feasibility stage an experienced architect can see and suggest ideas that were not apparent to the client – and in a commercial project, an architect or interior designer can provide solutions that help organisations attract business and work more efficiently.

 Architecture has the longest training period of any discipline, longer even than medicine, and this reflects the many different aspects the work entails.













 Architects are  crucial in any build project, not merely for their design creativity but also for advising on planning regulations and building controls, construction methods, materials and more. They are the all-time multi-taskers, trained professionals capable of conceiving creative and practical solutions for build projects of all sizes and budgets.