About Us
Paul Ferdinand (BA Hons.DipArch.RIBA): The Director
Paul Ferdinand undertook his training at the Oxford School of Architecture and qualified as an Architect in 1986. Since then he has been responsible for numerous and diverse projects at a senior level whilst working for large architects practices in Reading, Windsor and Yeovil, and also when operating as a sole practitioner. After moving to the West Country in 2001, Paul has re-established his Practice in Sherborne. Oriel Architecture is therefore founded on over 25 years of continuous involvement at a senior level on numerous projects varying greatly in type and size throughout the UK.
Paul takes pride on providing an excellent personal and individual service to all his clients, and assures of his professional integrity. In his opinion the best approach to design is to work closely with the client, and in particular to invest time at the early stages of the project in order to gain a thorough understanding of the client’s aspirations. This, together with an appreciation of the site context and other factors, provides a sound basis for the creation of a successful building design.
Helen Ferdinand (BA Hons.DipTP.MRTPI): Chartered Town Planner
Helen Ferdinand qualified in 1984 and became a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute in 1985. Helen has worked for most of her career in Local Government as a planning officer at both county and district levels, but has also worked in the private sector, and for a number of years as a planning consultant for the Environment Agency. Her working life is now split between being a local government planning officer, and providing planning advice and support to Oriel Architecture.