Tom Barker

Tom Barker

BSc (Hons) MArch PgDip RIBA ARB

STUDIO LEADERSHIP : BRISTOL

Having joined the Bristol studio shortly after its founding in 2016, Tom has played a pivotal role in establishing the practice’s reputation in the South West, championing design quality, fostering regional relationships, and promoting a positive studio culture. Determined and focused in his approach, he strives to deliver work of the highest quality, guided by strong design aspirations, clear communication, and a committed work ethic.

Tom continues to be active across the Education, Arts and Culture, Industrial and Residential sectors. An excellent communicator, he thrives in collaborative environments, whether working with internal teams, large multidisciplinary project groups, or engaging directly with clients, stakeholders, and communities. Tom is passionate about the narrative and impact of architecture within communities, recognising how profoundly the built environment can influence people’s lives from everyday experiences to long-term impacts. He places strong emphasis on clear communication as the foundation of successful projects and is also highly experienced in leading BIM Level 2 projects, using 3D modelling as a tool for coordination and public engagement.

With his role as an Associate Director of the practice and Bristol Studio Leader Tom is part of the practice wide Senior Leadership Team and Operational Management Group.

Contact Tom

Email: tom.barker@austinsmithlord.com

Mobile:        0773 677 5898
Telephone: +44 (0)117 239 0500

Tom’s key projects

Emily Harper

Emily Harper

BA(Hons), MArch, ADPPA RIBA
WELL AP™

WELLBEING LEAD
STUDIO LEADERSHIP : CARDIFF

Emily brings creativity and clarity to every project. She thrives on shaping spaces that are rooted in the needs of their users. Her work reflects a balance of imaginative concept design and practical delivery, developed through years of experience across a diverse portfolio of projects.

With a strong passion for Arts and Culture, Emily advocates for design that is people-focused, engaging, and fun, ensuring that every space supports and delights its occupants. Her enthusiasm for the positive impact of arts and culture on health and well-being informs her design philosophy, placing end-users at the heart of every decision.

Emily is a WELL Building Standard Accredited Professional, enabling her to deliver holistically healthy environments for clients. Her experience spans a diverse portfolio of projects, from inception to completion, in both supporting and leading roles. She has developed expertise in archive and museum design and has a deep understanding of working with heritage and existing buildings, balancing technical complexities with sensitivity and confidence.

Emily continues to champion architecture that celebrates culture, heritage, and community well-being, shaping spaces that inspire and endure.

Contact Emily

Email: enquiries@austinsmithlord.com
Telephone: +44 (0)2920 225 208

Emily’s key projects

Victoria Slater

Victoria Slater

BA(Hons), MArch, ADPPA, ARB

STUDIO LEADERSHIP : CARDIFF
SECTOR LEAD: SCHOOLS

Since joining the Cardiff Studio a decade ago, Victoria has built a broad portfolio of public sector work, guiding projects from initial concept through to completion. Her experience includes leading complex, phased developments across various sectors. Victoria is passionate about design excellence and particularly drawn to education and community projects, which she believes she has the power to profoundly enhance lives.

Victoria focuses on creating flexible, user-centred buildings that promote wellbeing, while ensuring sustainability and a strong sense of place are at the heart of every design. She is also developing expertise in working with existing and heritage buildings; an area that aligns closely with our sustainability goals. Victoria’s journey with Austin-Smith:Lord began when she was awarded the RIBA Wren Insurance Scholarship, which included mentorship from the practice. This support enabled her to undertake in-depth research for her thesis, focused on regenerating post-industrial mining communities in South Wales. She has since translated this academic interest into real-world impact, including leading roles on projects with community at their core.

With extensive recent experience working on school projects, Victoria has detailed knowledge of their technical requirements including for ALN/SEN cohorts. She develops strong working relationships with both the client and design team through her projects and is always striving for improvements based on lessons learnt and recent innovations.

Victoria is accomplished in analysing and developing the clients brief into an inspirational design concept that achieves value for the school whilst ensuring that the design is responsive to their needs and pedagogy, providing the right tools for them to embrace the New Welsh Curriculum and school’s specialisms and challenges, as evidenced at the award winning Fitzalan High School.
Recent experience working on both Llangatwg Community School Fairwater Campus with their NZC targets has further developed her knowledge and ability to develop and deliver an inspirational design that will positively impact the wider community.

Contact Victoria

Email: vistoria.slater@austinsmithlord.com

Direct Mobile: 07802 436 625
Cardiff Studio: +44 (0)2920 225 208

Victoria’s key projects

Rhiannon Davies

Rhiannon Davies

BA (Hons) MArch

STUDIO LEADERSHIP : LIVERPOOL

Rhiannon joined Austin-Smith:Lord in 2014 having gained experience in Project Management as a graduate, after studying at the University of Liverpool.

Rhiannon has gained experience being involved in many large-scale projects, spanning multiple sectors. This has been primarily centred around Arts and Culture and Higher Education, where a community focus features at the heart of her work. Expanding on this, Rhiannon also has experience working in Transport and Leisure, broadening her knowledge. Rhiannon has enjoyed working on both new build and refurbishment projects, including those in listed buildings, and has had the benefit of working with a combined approach where required.

She prides herself on having a keen eye for detail and cross discipline coordination, developed through working closely with diverse project teams throughout the design stages. Rhiannon values the working relationships developed throughout the course of projects, and aims to instil a positive and creative design process.

Since becoming an Associate Director in 2025, Rhiannon is part of the practice wide Management Team and has held a Studio leadership role in Liverpool for a number of years.
Rhiannon maintains strong links with both the University of Liverpool and John Moores University, valuing the opportunity to join regular student review panels at both schools.

Contact Rhiannon

Email: rhiannon.davies@austinsmithlord.com

Mobile:         07802 436 624
Telephone: +44 (0)151 227 1083

Rhiannon’s key projects

Adam Sunderland

Adam Sunderland

BA (Hons), BArch, Dip Arch

STUDIO LEADERSHIP : LIVERPOOL

Adam joined Austin-Smith:Lord in 2006 with more than 13 years domestic and foreign experience in design, technical and project management. He has worked with four award winning practices. His experience encompasses public and private sectors with involvement in civic, healthcare, education, residential and hotel projects. Adam became an associate in 2013.

Contact Adam

Email: adam.sunderland@austinsmithlord.com
Telephone:  +44 (0)151 227 1083

Adam’s key projects

Neil Alexander

Neil Alexander

BSc PgDip (Arch) RIAS RIBA

STUDIO LEADERSHIP : GLASGOW

Neil joined Austin-Smith:Lord in 2008, progressing from a year out ‘part 1’ student of the Mackintosh School of Architecture to a qualified architect. He makes a strong contribution to the Glasgow Studio, running a number of large scale projects.

Neil has gained significant experience in the fields of social housing, transportation and education through various developments in and around the West of Scotland, Northern England, South Wales and the Middle East. Working on both design & build and traditionally procured contracts, Neil has gained a rounded knowledge of sector requirements, varied construction techniques and design standards utilising drawn, CAD and BIM software packages to progress design and construction information.

Contact Neil

Email: enquiries@austinsmithlord.com
Telephone: +44 (0)141 223 8500

Neil’s key projects