The Brit List 2018: Architect profiles

676 433 Hamish Kilburn
  • 0

In the coming weeks, Hotel Designs will be profiling the 75 finalists in the Hotel Designs Brit List 2018. We continue with profiling our winning architects in alphabetical order…

This year’s The Brit List 2018 concluded on November 22, when leading designers, hoteliers and architects gathered at BEAT London to find out which of them made it on to this year’s The Brit List 2018. The hundreds of nominees and entries were whittled down by the event’s five judges, who were:

  • Gilly Craft, President of the British Institute of Interior Design
  • Charles Leon, founder of Leon Black Architecture and Interior Design
  • Gerri Gallagher, former associate editor, Tatler
  • Lysbeth Fox, founder and director of Fox PR
  • Hamish Kilburn, editor, Hotel Designs

Top architects 2018

Howard Jones – Archer Humphryes Architects

Working with David Archer, Howard Jones is a Project Director with 20 years’ experience specialising in delivering a diverse portfolio of building typologies
including commercial, residential, retail, large single mixed-use developments and more recently hotels and hospitality since joining the practice eight
years ago.

The architecture and design that comes out of the London-based studio displays a keen sense of how people behave, or can behave, within a built environment. Within all past projects there is a harmony and unity between architecture, the interiors, the location and the provenance, which creates a great sense of continuity and congruence.

James Dilley – Jestico + Whiles

Qualified as an architect, James Dilley also has particular expertise in interior design and so, where possible, Jestico + Whiles’ hospitality projects, such as W Edinburgh in the heart of the city’s UN World Heritage site are delivered under combined architectural and interior design services.

Notable projects already completed include the ‘ultraluxe’ Yas Abu Dhabi, W London and Andels Lodz in Poland.

James Twomey – ReardonSmith Architects

With more than 25 years’ experience of architectural practice, much of it focused on luxury hotel refurbishment, James Twomey has been responsible for statement projects such as The Beaumont, Four Seasons Park Lane and Four Seasons St Petersburg.

Twomey is currently leading the teams responsible for the Adare Manor Hotel, and the proposed Wanda Hotel in Nine Elms London, currently in the early stages of construction.

John Denton – Denton Corker Marshall 

John Denton’s principal interests in both architecture and urban design have shaped a range of projects over more than 40 years of owning the company. Denton, who is the founding partner of the London-based studio, lectures to schools of architecture, professional institutes and is a well-known keynote speaker.

Denton has internationally recognised skills in the design and leadership of major institutional and public building projects, evidenced through the practice’s significant number of national and international awards for major buildings under his control.

John Simpson – John Simpson Architects

John Simpson pioneered mixed-use sustainable urban design long before it was adopted as government policy in the UK.

Most recently, Simpson has worked on the new public facilities at Kensington Palace as well as landmark projects such The Royal Household of Buckingham Palace and The Royal Collection, St James’ Palace.

Hamish Kilburn / 04.01.2019

Share

  • 0

You might also like

Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

Fun fact: I’m a keen cyclist and will happily bore people with copious amounts of cycling chat. My top cycling experience (so far) would have to be riding in the spectacular mountains of Crete.

Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

Together these platforms offer a comprehensive 360-degree service encompassing digital media, print publishing, and live events – providing unparalleled value to advertisers, partners, and readers alike.