Meet the Team — Ian Chalk Architects

Our experienced team is consciously small to offer the kind of relationships we enjoy most – personal, friendly and collaborative. We love welcoming clients to our studio as a space to explore and enjoy the process of design.

“This is an analogue approach to retrofit; it wasn’t about big invasive choices or grand gestures. Ian Chalk Architects has made more of the building’s original features to promote the engineer client’s re-use ethos.”

Laura Mark,
The Architects’ Journal

“The Dunn shows how listed buildings can be radically yet respectfully reinvented.”

Catherine Croft,
20th Century Society

“Chart Street Studio is a masterpiece for its restrained and elegant reuse of a 1930s former furniture factory.”

RIBA Jury citation

“The architectural detailing at Chart Street Studios is highly considered and refined, a clear reflection of the client and architect’s evident love and understanding of materials.”

RIBA Jury citation

“Ian Chalk Architects has excelled at reducing excess finishes, increasing thermal mass and accentuating the unique original components of Chart Street Studios.”

RIBA Jury citation

“Ian Chalk Architects added an amazing energy to the creative process of designing our studio. The team held tight to our vision, adding innovative ideas & positively challenging decisions to ensure we didn’t compromise on the finished scheme. The end result is an award-winning, sustainable building we love spending time in.”

Tom Steel,
HTS

“We are very grateful to Ian Chalk Architects for helping us come up with this visionary scheme for the future of Cambridge Arts Theatre.”

Dave Murphy,
CEO of Cambridge Arts Theatre

“This phase of work by Ian Chalk Architects will support The Troxy’s operations and secure its future. As the only major venue in Tower Hamlets and a key anchor in the local economy, we’re excited for this new chapter.”

Mohit and Deepak Sharma,
owners of Troxy

Photo of the ICA's studio, showing Giles, Ed and Ian discussing a project over some drawings on the table

Rather than stamp our own ideas onto your project, we guide you to shape and refine your brief through our quiet methodology of research and analysis to form a continuous narrative.

And because architecture projects – particularly with existing buildings – can throw up a few surprises along the way, we stay with you for the journey. Remaining flexible and practical throughout, we bring energy and conviction to ensure your vision holds firm.

Photo of the team, all 6 members are stood by the brick wall looking straight to the camera. From left: Hanna, Angel, Giles, Ian, Ed and Hannah.

We operate as a collaborative team of experienced and talented designers, with a culture of support and respect.

As a team, we thrive on getting under the skin of projects - from researching their historical context to forming ideas for innovative future uses.

We are serious about our responsibility as architects and custodians. Our goal is to be creative, focused and committed in practice whilst being able to enjoy a positive balance of work and life.

Find out more about our people below.

Ian Chalk

Director

Ian established ICA in 2014 as an award-winning studio focused on adaptive re-use and sensitive new interventions. Previously, as Associate Director at Orms Architects, he led the prestigious redevelopments of The Standard Hotel and Tin Pan Alley through planning.

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Ian is an active supporter of the 20th Century Society and a member of the Theatres Trust Specialist Advisory Panel, as well as tutoring at The Welsh School of Architecture.

Edward Whiteley

Senior Consultant

Edward joined ICA from Orms in 2014, bringing a thoughtful approach to the conservation and reinvention of heritage buildings. His sensitivity to historical and urban context has been key to the success of several theatre, residential and community buildings.

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Currently Edward is steering several high-profile projects through planning and construction, including the Grade II listed Troxy in East London and two innovative contemporary homes in rural Cornwall.

Giles Wheeldon

Associate Director

Giles has been part of ICA since 2006 following several years at Orms. With an eye for opportunity, he creates innovative designs to revive existing buildings from theatres and workspaces to community centres.

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Having led the RIBA award-winning Chart Street Studios to completion in 2022, Giles is currently delivering our retrofit and extension to the Grade II listed Cambridge Arts Theatre. He enjoys combining time in practice with tutoring, most recently at the University of Liverpool.

Hannah Penwarden

Architectural Assistant

Hannah is a Part II Architectural Assistant, having joined us in 2023 fresh from The Cass at London MetropolitanUniversity. Her postgraduate project – Species of Space – was nominated for theAJ Student Prize which celebrates the best work of architecture students across the UK.

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Hannah is currently applying her expertise in sensitive heritage and cultural projects to Cambridge Arts Theatre and a private house in rural Cornwall.

Hanna Kristina

Architectural Assistant

Hanna joined ICA in 2024 as a Part I Architectural Assistant on her placement year. Since then, she’s completed her Master of Science at The Bartlett School of Architecture with a focus on community housing and social sustainability.

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We’re pleased to continue working alongside Hanna as a qualified Part II, applying her creative and technical skills on residential and heritage projects in London.

ICA Consultant Team

Ben Toms - CIAT
Charlotte Bocci - ARB
Fiona Raley - RIBA SCA
Hallam Tucker - ARB
Robert Atkinson - Dip Arch

Former Staff Members

Abbie Gale
Angel Chase
Charlotte Bocci
Cherry Poon
Chris Gabe
Felix Graf
Jason Turner
Laura Crowther
Laurence Blackwell-Thale
Nile Bridgeman
Sam Davies
Tietang Wang
Tzu-Han Hsieh
Yusti Gomez Herrera

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