HA-EY is a multi-disciplinary studio offering design-led Architecture and Structural Engineering consultancy. We oversee projects from concept to delivery, bringing a uniquely holistic alternative to the typical design-and-build format.
We have granular understanding and scope over our clients ’ projects, allowing us to act as a bridge between designer and contractor. Our focus is making the process of delivering a building or space more humane, straightforward and palatable. This releases time and space back to the design, streamlining the route to realisation without sacrificing detail, distinction or quality. It also means we can devote more time and greater understanding to our clients’ vision, helping navigate through project milestones, from translating a brief into visual ideas, to applying for planning, and ensuring everything runs smoothly on site. Our work is considered, cultivated and coherent, anchored by the pursuit of smart and beautiful design. We are based in London but we work everywhere.
HA-EY’s directors, Laura Harriott and Joseph Eyles, draw on 20 years of experience in building design, with extensive expertise in creating bespoke, high-quality projects throughout both the UK and Ireland. As a studio, our priorities lie in pursuing design excellence through a definitively hands-on, collaborative approach. We are present, open and critically aware, bringing a faceted combination of skills to the process of making spaces. Alongside our commitment to design quality, we seek out ways to build environmental and social value into all our work.
WHO WE ARE
Laura Harriott
Laura founded HA-EY with Joseph Eyles in 2019 with an ambition to bring the rigour of large-scale projects to more intimate, domestic design. She has worked on high-profile housing, commercial and cultural projects within prestigious architectural practices in Glasgow, Edinburgh and London. Laura has vast experience delivering projects of different scale and scope, from early concept stage through to construction management.
As a director at HA-EY, Laura places focus on nurturing client relationships and building open lines of communication, ensuring dialogue is at the heart of each of the studio’s projects. Her expertise lies in converting project briefs into spaces that work uniquely for people ’s needs. Laura’s strength is in testing and developing alterations that maximise functionality without sacrificing aesthetic quality, recognising the power of design to support individual activities, priorities and tastes.
This skill-set strengthens HA-EY’s philosophy around improving existing domestic spaces, promoting retrofit, extensions and lateral redesign as sustainable, conscientious solutions. Laura’s experience in large architectural firms has yielded a thorough understanding of how best to adapt existing layouts, providing cohesive spaces through inventive use of colour, materials, form and geometry.
Laura works to advocate for equity in the built environment through her encouragement and support for women in design. Originally from Belfast in Northern Ireland, she has seen first-hand the positive affect architecture can have in mending communities. This insight lends a social value focus to her work at HA-EY, helping to ensure each of the studio’s projects has a positive influence on both people and place.
RIBA Part I, II and Masters of Architecture, Mackintosh School of Architecture, Glasgow.
RIBA Part III, The University of Westminster, Graduated with Distinction.
Certified in designing spaces for people living with dementia and cognitive disabilities.
Guest curator, Architecture for Women NI.
Exhibitor and keynote speaker longevity of housing and adaptable living, Guggenheim Bilbao.
Visiting tutor, Central Saint Martins, UAL.
Mentor, Built By Us, a non-profit organisation in South London for disadvantaged young adults.
Previously:
Architect, Associate Partner,
PLP Architecture, highlight project experience: delivering the tallest building in the City of London, 22 Bishopsgate.
Architectural Assistant,
Foster + Partners, highlight project experience: delivering cultural projects including The Gloriana Boathouse for HRH Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee Barge.
Architectural Assistant,
dRMM, highlight project experience: delivery on Trafalgar Place, a housing regeneration project in Elephant and Castle, London.
MEng (Hons) Structural Engineering with Architectural Design, Heriott Watt University, Edinburgh.
Lecturer & Tutor, Structural Design,
The Architectural Association.
Lecturer & Tutor, Structural Design, Central Saint Martins, UAL.
Lecturer & Tutor, Structural Design, Kent School of Architecture.
Party Wall matter accreditation, Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors.
Previously:
Associate-Team Leader,
AKT II, highlight project experience: new Google HQ; The MSD Discovery Centre, Kings Cross; 100 Liverpool St; Smithfield Market regeneration; Daily Express Building in Fleet Street.
Guest tutor, Cambridge University.
Guest tutor, Royal College of Art.
Mentor, Built By Us, a non-profit organisation in South London for disadvantaged young adults.
Project team, Scale Rule and Clerkenwell Design Week Pavilion.
Joseph Eyles
Joseph founded HA-EY in 2019 with Laura Harriott, following a decade long career in structural engineering for prestigious, international firms. Based in London with involvement in globally facing schemes, Joseph has worked in practices that specialise in listed building renovations, refurbishment and high-end residential projects.
In parallel, Joseph has spent years cultivating his role as an independent consultant. His practice draws from time spent managing a broad portfolio of work, including projects recognised by the Stephen Lawrence Award and several RIBA Awards.
As a director at HA-EY, Joseph brings in-depth technical expertise to all projects, from concept stage through to completion. As a result, the studio’s design process benefits from structural guidance from inception – reducing time spent consulting externally and dedicating it to testing design ideas.
Joseph has worked on delivering both large-scale projects and delicate interventions within existing buildings, sympathetic both to their typology and materiality. He has vast knowledge and hands-on experience working with, altering, and adapting listed buildings, as well as those sited within conservation areas. He is adept with traditional construction materials, concrete, steel and advanced timber structures, as well as composites, glass and tensile structures. He marries his technical knowledge with a deep understanding of form, space and architectural order, and has worked with several art installation fabricators and artists to help create temporary pavilions and sculptures.
Joseph teaches Structural Design at The Architectural Association, UAL Central Saint Martins and at the Kent School of Architecture helping to shape the education and experience of young Architects.