Studio

Magnus Ström BA(Hons) DipArch ARB RIBA SAR/ MSA

Founder and Creative Director

Magnus has an avid interest in houses and homes, as well as interior and furniture design. This developed as a child growing up in Sweden being surrounded by - and brought up in - Modernist houses. He was fascinated by their beauty, and how design was part of daily life. When asked as a child what he wanted to be when he grew up, the answer was easy, and always – an architect.

Magnus founded Ström Architects in 2010 and is responsible for developing the vision of the practice and leading the design of projects. He works with a talented team of architects to deliver buildings that improve the life of people, inspire and offer delight. Throughout the project process he is directly involved and is passionate about the detail, ensuring that we deliver buildings where the architectural vision has been carried through to completion.

Magnus enjoys working with clients to create their dreams throughout the UK, but also internationally with houses in Sweden, Spain and the USA. His designs have been recognised by winning both UK and international architecture awards.

Nicky Jones

Managing Director

Nicky's keen interest in architecture and property development led her to join Ström Architects, where she applies her exceptional organisational skills to the office. Having lived in much older properties, Nicky has grown to appreciate the bright, airy interiors and purposeful spaces characteristic of Ström's designs. With three children, dogs, and a love for watersports and the forest, the Scandinavian philosophy of clean family living resonates deeply with her.

As the Managing Director, Nicky ensures that the business and studio thrive, enabling Magnus and the team to focus on design and delivery. Her dedication to smooth operations and efficiency is the backbone of the creative environment at Ström Architects.

Hugh Richardson BA (Hons) DipArch ARB

Technical Director

Hugh’s route into Architecture was through art college where a foundation course in fine art, sculpture, and graphic design triggered an interest in Architecture as both a profession and an art form.  

Having studied Architecture at Portsmouth, where he met Magnus, Hugh moved to London to begin his career at Wilkinson Eyre Architects. This was an exciting time which saw the office win two Stirling Prize Awards. 

During this time Hugh gained invaluable experience working on the redevelopment of the Museum of London and City and Islington College. Applying this experience to a masters in professional practice Hugh qualified as an architect in 2003.

Feeling a pull towards the coast Hugh accepted a job at John Pardey Architects (JPA) where he worked with Magnus on private houses and educational projects. While at JPA Hugh valued his role in the Building Schools for the Future programme where he worked with the late Sir Colin Stansfield Smith and HKR Architects in the redevelopment of the Eveline Lowe Primary School in Bermondsey. 

Hugh’s work in education continued during his time at Design Engine Architects where he worked as project architect for the new Les Beaucamps High School in Guernsey.

In 2018 Hugh joined Ström Architects where he oversees production information across the whole office, bringing his experience of delivering high quality complex architecture to the practice of crafting bespoke homes.

James Chapman BA (Hons) PG Dip Arch ARB

Senior Associate

James came to study architecture through his love of hand-drawing and sketching. He has always been a dreamer and enjoys nothing better than imagining the perfect home, using drawings to explore all possible solutions.

During his formal education, the process of design fuelled his passion for art and contemporary culture which has informed his interest in design. James’s appreciation for domestic architecture was encouraged by a particularly enthusiastic professor who had an interest in Modern Scandinavian houses. The Villa Mairea by Alvar Aalto was an early inspiration for James, with its use of natural materials and the continuity between inside and outside spaces. This seed has grown, and whilst James has worked for numerous design-led studios on projects of various sizes, joining Ström Architects has allowed him to pursue his enthusiasm for bespoke houses – creating crafted spaces utilising beautiful natural materials.

As a project architect, James enjoys working alongside Magnus and the team to bring designs from the drawing board to their reality on site. He delights in the process of architecture, and the creative, collaborative relationships with clients and building specialists.

Daniel Cutter BSc (Hons) MArch PGDip ARB

Senior Associate

Daniel undertook his education at the Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University, a course that nurtured a sensitive yet creative approach to architectural design that is firmly anchored in its brief, users and context. With the early, formative years of his career spent at Dixon Jones, Daniel soon honed his drive for quality, care and attention to detail. These skills were applied across varied scales, building types and across residential, commercial, education and cultural projects - earning him an associate role early in his career.

Progressing into further design-led practices, Daniel acted as project lead on a number of prestigious and complex projects, each with their own significant and sensitive sites within central London.

In 2024, it was the call of the New Forest that drew Daniel and his young family towards the south coast. The chance to work with Ström Architects on some of the finest houses in the UK and internationally was an opportunity that couldn’t be ignored!

Adam Lansdown-Bridge BA (Hons) PG Dip Arch

Associate

Catching the architectural bug at an early age with his bus-pass toting grandmother, Adam travelled across all the cathedrals of southern England, drawn to the drama and delight architecture can imbue.

From the initial sketching at project inception, crystallising people’s dreams and ambitions into a tangible scheme, to tackling the reality and unexpected challenges of realisation through construction, Adam relishes problem solving and the continual learning process of practising architecture.

An avid lover of exploring new places, good food and a punishing workout he’s oft found maxing out his National Trust and Historic England passes (and their tearooms).

Adam joined Ström Architects as a Senior Architect in 2020 having worked in London and Hampshire on award winning educational and residential projects.

Ashley Dawson HND, BA (Hons), Prof. Dip, PG. Dip, ARB

Senior Architect

Ashley studied architecture in northeast England and qualified as a chartered architect in 2012 from Newcastle Upon Tyne University. He began his career working on residential and master planning projects before moving to New Zealand, where he contributed to the Christchurch earthquake recovery. There, he gained broad experience across residential, educational, commercial, and heritage sectors, developing a strong understanding of seismic design.

Ashley later relocated to Dubai to lead the design of the UAE embassy in Cairo, Egypt managing large multi-disciplinary teams on very complex and fast paced projects.

Ashley returned to the UK with his young family in 2025, joining Ström Architects, bringing with him over 15 years of international experience across three continents. 

Mark Turner BA (Hons) PG Dip Arch

Senior Architect

Mark’s enthusiasm for architecture started at a young age with a constant desire to build, using anything and everything to construct complex models and a constant wish list for the latest Lego. This has evolved through his studies and career in architecture to focus on residential projects, with a desire to create amazing spaces that utilise natural materials and light. 

His university work was shortlisted for a President’s Silver Medal award, the highest accolade for UK students of architecture, and focused on the gentrification of a failing northern town using a kit of reusable parts to create personalised architectural solutions. 

Professionally, Mark has worked on many large scale, award-winning residential projects around the UK. Mark joined Ström in 2021 to pursue more tailored housing projects with a greater emphasis on materials and refined spaces with beautiful end results for the owners.

During his spare time, Mark can be found outside swimming, running, or cycling, no matter the weather. With a few marathons under his belt, he is still hopeful for entry into the London Marathon. Fingers crossed! 

John Pardey Architects in Association with Strom Architects

Helena Crespo MA Arch Madrid

Media Manager

Born and raised in Spain, and with Taiwanese roots, Helena has travelled the world since her childhood. Seeing how different cultures build such different houses depending on the context they live in, has given her a broad view of possibilities in architecture. Throughout the years, she has developed a special interest for both Japanese and Nordic architecture. Their simplicity and use of natural materials are two main pillars in her inspiration for architectural design.

After graduating from the School of Architecture of Madrid, she worked for an architectural practice based near the Madrid mountains. She was involved in different stages of architectural projects and visualization, as well as interior design for high end residential projects. Her interest for designing bespoke houses that meet specific needs of the people that will inhabit them is what brought her to Ström in 2022.

Helena is our Media Manager and also our in-house photographer. She has an international architectural photography portfolio with clients in the UK, Spain and in Iceland – where she further develops her love for modern Nordic architecture.

In her free time, as a natural adventurer, Helena loves being outdoors with her camera, exploring the natural environment wherever she goes. Observing the world through her camera has an important influence on how she approaches architecture.

Lauren Swift BA Hons Arch

Architectural Assistant

Lauren decided on pursuing a career in architecture whilst working in her Foundation year at Arts University Bournemouth. She always loved building with Lego and drawing as a child, so she thought ‘why not make a career out of it!’

As an undergrad student Lauren focussed on sustainability and environmentally conscious design which is a mindset she continues to work with. She is most interested in how our buildings can respond to the climate emergency - now more than ever. 

Having completed her Architecture undergrad and first year in practice, she is now continuing her studies to becoming fully qualified as an apprentice in practice with Oxford Brookes  – and making great waves as the first Ström Apprentice!

Jim Hubbard BA Hons Arch

Architectural Assistant

With a passion and drive for creation, Jim is always engaged in making or designing something, whether it's building a Caterham car, creating cairns (rock stacking), taking photographs, building computers, 3D modelling, or building Lego.

Coming from a family with a background in engineering, business, and the arts, architecture was a natural career choice for Jim. After being offered an apprenticeship in automotive engineering at Rolls Royce straight out of school, Jim chose to explore his creative side by studying product design, physics, and computing at A-levels, where he discovered his love for architecture.

Jim has a deep appreciation for both modern and natural elements in architecture, with a particular interest in modern timber architecture as well as Scandinavian and Japanese designs that integrate natural spaces into every corner of a room. He enjoys 3D modelling, rendering, graphic representation, and tutoring in various programs within the field.

Outside of architecture, Jim enjoys a wide range of sports including swimming, badminton, squash, mountain biking, kayaking, skiing, and going to the gym. He also has a passion for music, playing cards, and anything outdoors or digital.