Fergus Connolly
B.Arch Prof Dip ARB
Fergus is from Lancashire and studied architecture at Glasgow School of Art, and London Metropolitan University, where he was selected as a standout student by BD Magazine. Fergus undertook the SPAB’s Lethaby Scholarship in 2008, and was awarded first prize in the Georgian Group's Architectural Drawing Competition (presented by HRH The Prince of Wales), later that year.
From 2003-2006, Fergus worked for Martin Stancliffe Architects. In the role of Cathedral Surveyors, the practice undertook St. Paul’s Cathedral’s largest phase of repair and reordering since it's completion in 1711.
At FCBStudios Fergus spent 8 years as church architect to Grade 1 listed Bath Abbey, and project architect for The Footprint Project. The project secured £10.5m of HLF support ahead of works to repair and stabilise the collapsing Abbey floor, whilst delivering the facilities to improve the Abbey’s status as Bath’s foremost choral music and events venue. At the heart of the project is a commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of the Abbey’s operation with a comprehensive services review and drawing renewable energy from the city’s hot spring water to heat the Abbey.
During his time at FCBS he also worked on Shrewsbury Flax Mill, Windsor Castle’s Visitor Masterplan and new conservation studio for the Royal Collection, and authored The Burrell Collection’s Statement of Significance.
Fergus lectures and tutors across the country on vernacular architecture and new architecture in sensitive settings.
Charles Wellingham
B.A(Hons) B.Arch ARB AABC
Charlie grew up in Somerset and studied architecture at University of Plymouth and the University of the West of England, during which time his work was commended by the SPAB Philip Webb award and shortlisted for the RIBA President’s Silver Medal. Since graduating he has worked for several conservation practices in the UK and abroad, contributing to award winning Heritage Lottery funded schemes.
During 6 years at FCBStudios Charlie was the project architect responsible for delivering the heritage led regeneration of Middleport Pottery in Stoke on Trent for the Prince’s Regeneration Trust. The site was built in 1888 and has been home to Burleigh for 150 years, and is the last Victorian ceramics factory in Stoke-on-Trent that is still occupied by its original tenant. As well as securing the continuation of Burleigh’s craft, the brief sought to strengthen the economic sustainability of the grade II* listed site by introducing additional complementary uses, education spaces and visitor facilities, which opened the gates of the factory for the first time and allowed the people of Burslem to reconnect with their industrial heritage. The factory’s evocative time-worn character was safe-guarded through a commitment to light touch conservation, and the restrained refurbishment was awarded a national RIBA award, a Civic Trust AABC Conservation Award and a Europa Nostra Prize for European Cultural Heritage Conservation Excellence.
Following his completion of the SPAB Lethaby Scholarship in 2014, he rejoined FCBS and was responsible for leading the design team overseeing the creative reuse of the former Guildhall court rooms in the heart of medieval Bristol. This included securing Planning and Listed Building Consent for the extension and conversion of the Grade I and II* listed buildings into a hotel complex.
Charlie is an associate lecturer at the UWE Architecture School and guest critic in the Part 2 Conservation Studio. Charlie was elected to join the AABC Conservation Register in 2016.
Matthew Somerville
BSc (Hons), DipArch, RIBA
Matt has recently joined the CWa team, having previously worked at Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios as Senior Associate. Here, he led multidisciplinary teams for a number of award-winning, significant and high-profile adaptive reuse projects.
Bringing together work on internationally significant heritage with an agenda to widen public access, understanding and enjoyment, he has delivered cultural, visitor-focussed projects as diverse as the Roman Baths in Bath, Alexandra Palace in north London and the V&A in South Kensington. Most recently, he has worked extensively with the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, delivering a 25-year masterplan for the museum’s development that improves accessibility, widens audience engagement, improves environmental conditions for visitors and collections, and enhances facilities for staff and volunteers.
All of this work has involved a detailed and considered understanding of historic places, and a collaborative design process where the relationships with clients and other stakeholders are central to a successful outcome. In addition to a deeply felt sense of the historic spaces, Matt also has great skill as a contemporary designer, believing that these spaces impose the most exacting demands for considered, appropriate and legibly modern interventions.
Joe Hyett
BSc M.Arch PGCert MCIAT
Joe joined CWa in 2021 after completing his Master of Architecture and subsequently earned his PGCert (Part III) in 2023. During his Masters, his thesis was awarded the RIBA Wessex Prize and shortlisted for the prestigious RIBA President's Silver Medal.
Originally from the Forest of Dean, Joe holds a BSc in Architectural Technology and Design from the University of the West of England (UWE), where he was recognized as CIAT’s 'Outstanding Graduating Student in Architectural Technology.' In 2024, he achieved Chartered Architectural Technologist status (MCIAT). His professional journey includes diverse experience across the South West of England and a placement year in Vancouver.
At CWa, Joe has contributed to a variety of projects, including the development and delivery of the new admissions building for English Heritage at Old Wardour Castle, the ongoing refurbishment of the Grade II listed Stanley Arts Centre in South Norwood, and the restoration and extension of Northly Farm, a historic South Gloucestershire farmstead. Most recently, Joe has led the technical development of the Bath Assembly Rooms for the National Trust.
In addition to his professional practice, Joe is an Associate Lecturer at UWE Architecture School, where he tutors students on the BSc Architectural Technology and Design course.
Emelia Noyce
BSc Hons
Emelia joined CWa in 2024 following completion of her undergraduate degree at the University of Bath. Emelia’s final year project was for a Community Art Gallery and Workshop – devising a flexible timber structural solution to permit a light touch inhabitation on and around the existing structures of the site. Prior to joining CWa Emelia gained experience at James Grayley Architects in Bath, and represented the University of Bath on a skills exchange in Zambia, during which she helped project manage the design and construction of sports facilities for the host community.
Callum Purdue
BA Hons
Callum joined CWa in 2023 having completed his undergraduate degree at the University of the West of England, where his work was nominated for the RIBA Dissertation Medal. Callum's Dissertation 'Altered Body' is a phenomenological narrative describing a sensory interaction with the Saxon Church of St Lawrence in Bradford on Avon. Callum switched to studying architecture after a degree in Philosophy and Sociology, which included a year abroad in Stockholm. Callum brings experience from previous placements, including with O’Donnell & Tuomey in Dublin. Callum is currently assisting CWa with the phased refurbishment of Bridgwater Town Hall.
Rosie Yarde
Rosie has recently joined CWa as a studio administrator, with a background in creative design and administration. Originally from North Somerset, Rosie attended Falmouth university to study textile design, where she achieved a first in her dissertation and attended new designers to exhibit her work, as well as being featured in magazines for her intricate embroidered designs.
Rosie’s professional background includes creative learning for primary school aged children and clerical work for the NHS. Rosie contributes to the running of the CWa Studio, providing administrative support to the team.
info@connollywellingham.com