Founding Ecotecture
Jo qualified as an architect in 1996 while working in a conservation practices in Oxfordshire setting up on her own as Ecotecture initially in Oxfordshire and then moving to Sussex in 1999 to start a family and undertaking an MSc from Oxford Brookes University in Energy Efficient building.
Her first big eco project in 1990 was working on an Organic research conference centre partially SEEEDA funded project for an eco conference centre in a listed farm complex, opened by the then Prince Charles. This 20 year old project featured innovative eco materials and building practices, ground source heat pump and rain water harvesting.
During her MSC she briefly left architecture to work in a research EU funded project on Thermal Comfort developing an algorithm to reduce energy consumption in buildings in occupation, spending time in the hot climes of Brazil for her final desertion in Thermal Comfort.
Leadership in Green Architecture
Jo joined the AECB in 1996, feeling like she’d come home to a bunch of green eco nuts who saw the world in the same way. She became a trustee board member later during the set up of the Passivhaus Trust and responsible for setting up 20 local groups across the whole country. During this time she recalls collecting Passivhaus founder Wolfgang Feist from the airport and taking him to an AECB conference in Oxfordshire and enjoyed discussing with him the merits of the Passivhaus approach to design. Wolfgang assured her that an atrium to give delight is as important as the ramifications that Passivhaus standard brings.
Public Speaking and
Advocacy
Jo has been public speaking for well over 20 years advocating green building in her approach to life. In her work as AECB Trustee, she set up local groups and travelled around the company to support local members. Encouraging connections together and sharing knowledge iIn a mutually supportive way. Jo’s career development continues as she gained a PG Cert from the MSC course Conservation of the Historic Environment in 2020 and went on to become a full member of the IHBC. She became Chair of the IHBC South East Branch, and more latterly has joined the Board of Trustees with a particular interest in Inclusion Diversity and Equity.
Recent
Achievements
Jo’s most recent award, Sussex Heritage Trust was for Community and Public build was an inclusive extension uniting various areas of a Georgian Quaker Meeting House in a Conservation Area, two Heritage assets of significance. During the building works she became a Quaker herself and does her best to live in accordance with their five Spices. Simplicity. Peace. Integrity. Community. Equality and Sustainability. This ties in well with her Buddhist approach to life. Jo was a founding member of MSDC Architects Panel and other community work includes sitting on the Design Panel for South Downs National Park as expert advisor on the Conservation Advisory Group at Eastbourne and running events for Mid Sussex AECB as group leader.
Jo has dedicated a considerable period of her life to bringing up her autistic son Sam.
Her most recent hobby is to take up swimming with him to Support the local Marlins swimming group, along with fossil hunting and regular yoga sessions at Be Yoga based in Haywards Heath.
MEL LAURIE
Practice Manager
Mel is in charge of keeping everything running smoothly on the administrative and financial side and always looks for ways to improve output. With her background as a personal assistant to senior management, she possesses strong organisational skills and is able to juggle multiple tasks.
Outside of work, Mel enjoys spending time with her family as much as possible and embarked on her first 5k Race for Life run in Horsham. She also likes to visit National Trust homes and gardens locally and on weekend getaways.
RICHARD MERRICK
Head of Technical
Richard gained his BSc in Industrial Management and has an HND in Construction and Architectural Technology.
Richard is a highly experienced BIM technician with an excellent understanding of construction.
He enjoys spending time with his young family and working in the garden.
BABATUNDE IBRAHIM
Architect
Babatunde has been working with us for over three years and provides a level of multi-skilled proficiency to the practice, supporting different members of the team. Babatunde enjoys working on cinematography, photography, and DIY projects when not researching sustainable buildings, retrofit measures and West African architecture.
CRISTIAN HALMAGHE
Architects Assistant
Cristian has been with the Ecotecture team for five years, bringing excellent presentation skills with him and adding support to the technical team. Cristian spends his downtime seeking out art galleries and architectural installations where he can.
ZOE RICHARDS
Part 1 Architects Assistant
Zoe is a Part 1 Architectural Assistant at the beginning of her career. Inspired to become an architect after Ecotecture designed a significant extension for her family home, she is currently studying at university and gaining practical experience with Ecotecture during her vacations.
PEPPER
Office Pawtector
Pepper is the lively protector of our office, keeping us safe from the royal mail personnel. She's like our very own Cerberus, but don't worry - she can be easily appeased with belly rubs and treats.
Ecotecture offers a comprehensive range of architectural services tailored
to meet the needs of environmentally-conscious clients. Ecotecture’s expertise spans house remodelling, large extensions and retrofits, sensitive design in historic environments, bespoke eco-house designs, master planning. It also excels in the conservation and adaptive reuse of historic buildings, ensuring that these structures can continue to serve modern purposes while retaining their historic charm.
Whether you’re looking to build a sustainable, carbon neutral or negative home or retrofit an existing building,
Jo and her team with two decades or more experience work closely with you to create spaces that are both sustainable and beautifully crafted.
About our office
Ecotecture purchased the building that the office is situated in, including the shop front, in 2010.
When looking for a property to buy, Haywards Heath was ideal due to its excellent public transport and, unlike a seaside town, its catchment area forms a circle, allowing for a larger area to be covered more sustainably.
Jo has always dreamed of having a shop front, and she lives above the office, saving significant amounts of time and reducing carbon emissions from commuting.
Our Clients
"Moon Tree have worked with Ecotecture on all our projects from extensions, one off new builds to multi unit developments for the last decade. On a professional level, their attention to detail and incredible eye for design is second to none. How much they care about every project is always very evident. They also have a wealth of experience that is essential when undertaking or planning any project. On a personal level, they are all just lovely people who are wonderful to work with"
- Oli
"We were extremely happy with the service provided by Ecotecture at all stages of the project.
From pre-planning meetings with the Heritage Officer, design suggestions and drawings, selection of the building firm, monthly onsite meetings with us, liaison with Valley Builders, through to the end-of-project snagging process, we could not fault them, and we could not be happier with the results!"
- Little Colliers