Neil MacWilliams

Neil MacWilliams

Architect

About

Neil studied architecture at the Universities of Portsmouth and Westminster, qualifying as an architect in 2009.

With over a decade of work in leading London practices, Neil is a highly adept and technically knowledgeable architect whose experience encompasses inner-city schools, private homes, cultural landmarks, hotels and venerable estates.

Alongside work in practice, Neil has mentored at Kingston University, Central Saint Martins & with the W Programme. Neil regularly takes part as a RIBA Part III oral examiner at the University of Westminster.

In 2023 Neil was selected to chair the South East jury of the RIBA regional awards.

Projects

2023

A comprehensive masterplan to reimagine Lambeth Palace, reframing its relationship with the public realm, drawing on its unique history and enabling the site to reach net-zero targets around a new energy centre.

2020

The reorganisation and expansion of the Sidney Lodge site to enable new opportunities for living and learning for both staff and students.

2019

The Great Hall and Library project includes restoration, excavation and extension of the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, and is the most significant development to the historic estate in 150 years.

2015

Moor House is a replacement dwelling on a semi-rural site within the Green Belt. The clients, a couple with three young boys, wished to create a characterful modern home that actively engages with the surrounding landscape.

2014

Pitzhanger Manor is a nationally important Grade-I listed building, designed by Sir John Soane and George Dance the Younger. As part of a sensitive remodelling of the wider estate and park, I was responsible for the concept design of a new cafe and restaurant from RIBA Stages A to D. The project successfully gained planning permission in February 2014 and listed building consent the following month.

2012

252 key, BREEAM excellent, high quality hotel located on the ExCeL campus in London Docklands. I was responsible for general scheme development as Project Architect from RIBA Stage F onwards, with particular emphasis on the detailed design and coordination of the complex unitised cladding system.

2010

£18 million part new-build, part refurbishment of a secondary school in north east London. I was closely involved in all aspects of the project design and construction from RIBA stage D through to completion, initially as Assistant Architect (Part II) and subsequently as Project Architect. My role included planning, detailed design, tender and construction packages through to site supervision and completion.

2007

An £8.2 million specialist teaching block and sports hall sited partially within the Spinney, a 4500 sqm area of woodland and former marl pit within the JFK school campus. The block was also the subject of a successful Sport England funding bid to uplift the sporting provision to a community level sports facility.

Features

2020

If a £20 million-plus building project could be described as discreet it would be this one. MICA's scheme ...is the most significant development since Victorian times on the inner
London estate of Lincoln's Inn.

2015

As well as his famous Lincoln's Inn home, John Soane built a country house for his family in Ealing. Now Pitzhanger Manor is undergoing an ambitious renovation.

Work Experience

2023 — Now
2014 — 2015
2009 — 2014
2005 — 2007
2016 — Now
London, UK

The scheme is designed to widen the aspirations of mentees engaged in the programme and with the help of their mentor as a role model, guide them to develop into successful professionals.

Since October 2016 I have been a Mentor to
third year BA Architecture students in the Mentoring Scheme at the University of Westminster (2016-17), Central Saint Martins (2017-19) & Kingston (2020-22).

2020 — 2020
London, UK

As a programme partner practice, I represented MICA as a mentor for the Speed-Mentoring of female architects.

2017 — 2018
London, UK

The Litmus group is formed of engaged readers from all over the UK and overseas who test the relevance and interest of the Journal, both in print and online.

2011 — 2011
London, UK

I volunteered as a shelter-builder to provide temporary respite to the homeless in London over the winter holidays.