Haar Architects

A wee concept model as part of a pitch for a job in East Lothian. Unfortunately we didn’t get the commission this time….cannae win them all but it’s important to take value in the process.

I’m happy with the direction of travel it was taking ,and the good news is I now have a wee gap to fill.

If you are considering a project, or know someone who is, message us or visit our website to start the conversation.

Planning granted for new works in East Lothian.

First thoughts for something new for some nice people up north.

My project in Corstorphine where I hid an extension behind a reconfigured boundary wall. The rooms behind the wall face south and are arranged to create a suntrap courtyard space. Internally the existing building was opened up to provide a new kitchen and living space facing the garden.

New website almost ready. Sneak peek available on desk/lap top and tablets. www.herewehaar.co

On thought I would share a few where my work has been published. Made up with all of these, specially the biggest book I own.

HAAR are 13. Sorry if I have been quiet.

I have deliberated for some time about how to open this conversation up but wanted to provide some context to explain where things are at for me and the practice, and to describe how turbulent the last few years have been.

Since establishing my architecture business in 2010 I grew the practice and built a reputation as one of the best emerging practices in the UK. This was recognised by my professional body with awards three years running between 2015-2017 including the Saltire Society Medal for Excellence in Housing Design. My work had been published widely, I was selected for the Architecture Foundations New Architects 3 book, and I even made an appearance on Channel 4 Grand Designs in late 2017 when longlisted for the RIBA House of the Year award. At that point I had grown the practice to four people and things were going well.

Things changed quite significantly in 2018 when I had a serious cycling accident that almost killed me. I was in hospital for a month with a broken collarbone and shoulder blade, five broken ribs, punctured lung and torn diaphragm. I developed sepsis, likely from the chest drain I was given upon admission and had four operations under general anaesthetic for two lots of thoracic surgery and two bronchoscopy procedures. I also had a blood transfusion. Later in 2018 I had another operation under general anaesthetic for a plate to be inserted in my collar bone.

Just as I was gaining recognition and a growing reputation for thoughtful and considered architecture, beginning in 2018 and until the end of last year things have been turbulent personally and for the business for a number of reasons. Concurrent with this, I was trying to navigate the pandemic with a fragmented team.

I tried to do the right thing and get both team members to the other side of the pandemic but following the phaseout of furlough I could no longer sustain them with a depleted workload and I made both of them redundant at the end of 2021. This was the last thing I wanted to do, but as things have settled, it has allowed me to refocus entirely on the practice.

So last week the practice turned 13, and I am so enthused about being back on my own and pushing the practice on. I was most successful when I was on my own and I am delighted to be back to that. It feels like a fresh start, and I am resolute about my 14th year of practice being a success. I have a small number of really wonderful clients, and several more really interesting prospects in the pipeline, but the reality is that I could do with more.

I have capacity for new work, and would welcome that news to be widely shared.

Thank you all.

Matt