Who We Are

We are an Edinburgh‑based architecture practice specialising in conservation, retrofit, and sustainable design.

Established in 2021, Taft Architects is an energetic and thoughtful practice, with specialist knowledge and experience of historic buildings and how to successfully transform them for the wider community.

Working closely with you, we’re driven to find the potential of your building and deliver well-crafted, high quality projects. 

Our design ethos is encapsulated by a Scots word - ‘Taft’ – which means‘ homestead and the land attached to it. We always start by gathering a collection of observations of a building or a plot of land and its surroundings to fully understand how it connects to its setting. From there, we work to unlock its unexplored potential to deliver highly crafted projects with spaces that delight – be that an extension to an existing building, a new build or re-imagining a series of spaces.

Taft was recently recognised for our work on St Mark’s Church in Portobello, being awarded Regional Finalist in the Civic Trust Awards 2026.

We are an RIBA and RIAS Chartered practice with an AABC conservation accredited architect.

3D model exploded axo of a historic house showing retrofit alterations
A man with light brown hair and a beard stands against a tan and white stone wall at night, wearing a brown jacket over a green shirt with hands in pockets.

  • Director \ Architect \ Conservation Accredited

    Edward is an AABC conservation accredited Architect with over a decade of experience, including award-winning projects such as the restoration of St Mary at the Quay Church.

    He founded Taft Architects in 2021, bringing together his background as a heritage consultant and his commitment to preserving historic buildings while creating sustainable, high‑quality spaces that serve their communities for generations.

    Edward’s leadership combines respect for heritage with a focus on modern functionality and environmental stewardship. Fully conservation accredited, he also supports others as a mentor, guiding them toward conservation accreditation.

A woman with long brown hair wearing a black jacket standing in front of a rustic stone wall, smiling slightly.

  • Architect 

    Dominique brings a broad range of experience across residential, education, and retail/leisure projects for both public and private clients. Having worked with award-winning practices in London and Edinburgh, she is passionate about adaptive reuse and promoting traditional craftsmanship. Outside the studio, Dominique is a co-producer for the Architecture Fringe, a grassroots festival celebrating architecture, art and design in Scotland.

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair standing in front of a brick wall with a large brick arch above her head. She is wearing a dark green sweater and black pants, and smiling at the camera.

  • Director \ Architect 

    Freya is an experienced architect with a portfolio spanning education, healthcare, residential, conservation, hospitality and Passivhaus projects over a period of fifteen years. 

    She focuses on enhancing existing buildings for long-term use while integrating sustainable design at every stage. Her work includes high-profile projects such as Wilkins Terrace at UCL, the Alexandra Road Estate, and large-scale Passivhaus schools. 

    Freya combines a detail-oriented, materials-rich approach with client engagement to create warm, sustainable and functional architecture.