Yelo, Brighton and Hove architectural practice

Conversion of a barn in Sompting for Nutshell Construction

Jennifer Worth’s flat, Grand Parade
Redevelopment of flat on Grand Avenue, Hove. The flat was most recently the home of Jennifer Worth the writer of Call The Midwife.

No Fear

A leading Brighton and Hove architectural practice may be called Yelo but when it comes to exciting and inspired solutions they are fearless

Andy Parsons is a lead practitioner at Yelo Architects and a man with a very clear vision of what he wants to do and how he is going to go about doing it.

He entered the world of architecture with a vision to challenge the way things had always been done, often presenting his ideas in a unique, and at times, confrontational way. Whilst studying he was determined to ask all the questions and turn the conventional way of thinking on its head.

This, however, has not made him an unconventional designer – his work is neither scary nor unrealistic. On the contrary, the reason behind that process was to get to the root of how to come up with great and inspired solutions and not to merely take the easy route. This has given him the means to create great solutions for his clients that are not only exciting, but also achievable.

We met with Andy to talk about that creative process and how he and his team apply it to meet the needs of their clients:

How does that creative process actually start?
It can start in many ways but really at the beginning of every project we need to explore how we can meet the needs of the client – what they hope to achieve, their dreams and, of course, their budget.

So do you go away and create something that is a reflection of that, a direct response?
We go away and look at the brief from all angles, taking each part and addressing it. But we also input our own ideas, offering up our inspirations and showing clients new ways of approaching what they want.

Life would be very tedious if we went away and said, okay, they want a kitchen extension, or a new development of two bedroom flats, or a new retail or restaurant space and then gave them an effortless and basic solution that was no different from what any designer, or even builder, might suggest. That would be very dull for us and very dull for our clients too. We like to think of new ways of doing things that will achieve a better result, a happy client and a more effective practical solution.

What kind of work does your practice undertake?
We have a very broad portfolio of projects. From major projects working with large developers on mixed-use sites where we have to deal with a balance of retail, office and residential space to small retail solutions and domestic home rebuilds or home extensions.

Does the domestic work mean that you design loft conversions?
No, we never do loft conversions.

I decided very early on that lofts were not what I wanted to do. There are plenty of good companies out there, builders and architects who like to do loft conversions but we do not. However, we have worked on many larger home extensions and home rebuild projects.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
I love working with clients who have an open mind, at the same time as knowing exactly what their needs are. I love being able to create something that is exciting but also right.

I really love working with the team, the atmosphere that we have created at Yelo is very open and it is so good to be able to open up our work to the team and use the very best ideas that we can collectively create.

So is the future at Yelo moving towards bigger and bigger projects?
We are already working on major developments and working with large companies. In truth, I like the balance of large projects against the smaller more personal ones. Working in different ways on projects of different scales can often throw up solutions that you might not have expected.

Coming into the office each day and having to look at new problems is what makes this job so exciting, if it were all extensions or new residential developments it could become very dull and I have never wanted to do that, to be dull. Challenge is our inspiration and the resulting solutions are, we hope, the excitement.

Yelo is very much about team work and Andy is very proud of the team that he has built around him and the business. We asked them all why they like working for Yelo, what excites them about architecture and what inspires them:

Matt Hawkins
Yelo Architects represents a transitional point of architectural practice. In previous generations, architects have been preserved as being slightly pompous, pretentious and unapproachable to less experienced clients. At Yelo, we want clients to know that any anxiety they have about their project, large or small, is only a phone call or a meeting away from being sorted out.

For me, seeing something being built by someone on site, in three dimensions, that has previously been just lines on a piece of paper is what excites me about architecture and construction.

Being able to adapt the built world around us, to improve it for future generations is my inspiration.

Dan Almond
I appreciate the forward-thinking attitude Yelo has. Each project here has the potential for a unique and exciting solution and I am inspired by architecture’s ability to positively impact on people’s lives.

Jo Deighton
At Yelo we like to do things differently, from client relationships to internal processes, we are not a conventional architectural practice.

The excitement comes from always having something new to do and the potential to improve people’s lives, which is enormous.
I’m inspired because I have a job that doesn’t feel like work, I’m in a cool office with great people.

Naomi Birks
During my time working for Yelo I have been encouraged to develop my own personal skills mainly in 3D, which has led to us creating a programme based on gaming software. It has been incredibly challenging, but also self-rewarding at the same time.

The evolution of architecture forever changing with innovation and the development of technology is very exciting. Innovation always inspires me.

Harriet Nind
I admire how the practice has built itself up to have a friendly and approachable reputation and
of course, there’s the great view of Brighton Pier from the office!

Architecture is a brilliant mix of innovation in design, materials and building methods, which are constantly evolving.

Joe Giddings
I’m gaining new experience on a range of projects of different scales using different programmes – and I enjoy working in a really nice office environment with a sea view.

I am excited when a building or space does something surprising.
I was inspired by Steve Coogan’s commentary on the Brighton Wheel.

Mike Mills
Yelo has a dynamic and creatively free-thinking approach. I am thrilled by the variety of architectural styles and creating something new. Leaving a mark for posterity.

I find inspiration from visiting new developments and seeing something new or a twist on something traditional.

Yelo Architects, Oliver House,
18 Marine Parade,
Brighton BN2 1TL
01273 608444
www.yeloarchitects.com