We are delighted to welcome several new staff to our diverse team. As we continue to expand on the skills, knowledge and expertise of our practice we strive to make a positive difference with our projects. Designing with people and the environment at the heart, these new colleagues and the skills they bring will further support our vision and ethos.
Kate Quinlan – Project Consultant & Studio Manager
Kate Quinlan holds an MA in Anthropology: Material and Visual Culture from University College London and a B. Des (Hons) in Craft Design: Ceramics from the National College of Art and Design, Dublin.
Kate has lived and worked in London since 2013, where she founded KQ Studio, providing creative project consultancy to clients alongside the development of her own creative practice. She has worked with clients and exhibited her work across the UK and Ireland, receiving numerous accolades for her artwork. Kate combines this with eight years’ experience at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, where she coordinated public programming with a particular focus on contemporary interventions and responses to the historic collections, notably during London Design Festival.
As a Project Consultant, Kate’s project management and collaborative skills, together with her diverse experience and expertise in the creative sector, will be utilised on a variety of projects and grants the practice additional expertise in public art. She will also utilise her efficiency and people management skills to provide support to both staff and projects as Manager of our Dublin studio.
‘Having recently returned to Ireland, I am excited to bring my experience and knowledge into a new sector of the creative industries. Since starting at TPHC, I have enjoyed working across the company to improve processes and procedures, together with providing creative expertise on current and future projects. I am excited to see what the future holds with this friendly and talented team.”
Margot Overvoorde – Landscape Architect
Margot Overvoorde, born and raised in the Netherlands, studied at Delft University of Technology. After a BSc in Architecture, Margot realised that her passion lay in designing public spaces and places with an emphasis on sustainability and using natural materials. This led her to complete an MSc in Landscape Architecture, graduating in 2016.
Previously, Margot worked at Rotterdam based ECHO Urban Design, enhancing her skills in climate adaptive design and improving social cohesion through place in the urban context, together with teaching urban planning and landscape architecture at her former university between 2021-2023.
Margot has also been involved in Urbanistas Rotterdam, a network by and for women that work in the city and was a finalist in the competition EO Wijers (2023) for her transformative designs of a monofunctional static agricultural region into a multifunctional dynamic landscape.
“Exchanging the great city of Rotterdam, and the Netherlands, for the exiting city of Belfast is a big new step that I’m already enjoying. Since I started at TPHC, I am working on interesting public space projects including a park, a square and a nature area. It’s starting to feel like a new home, and I am excited and curious to get to know the place, the people and the projects here!”
Nicole Jacob – Landscape Architect
Nicole Jacob holds a BA in Architecture from the Government College of Thrissur, Kerala, India, 2018. During her thesis she developed a newfound interest in landscape architecture. Her newfound zeal took her to Italy, where she earned her MSc in Landscape Architecture from Politecnico di Milano in 2022.
Following this, Nicole worked as a Junior Architect at Materiavera, Milan, where she contributed to and gained valuable experience on both architectural and landscape projects. Nicole recognises the importance of ecological design principles together with a strong emphasis on sustainability and biodiversity. She aims to establish an identity and strike a delicate balance between human activity and the environment in her design approach. Nicole plans to incorporate these skills and her artistic interests into future design ideas at TPHC.
“TPHC’s diverse team of architects, landscape architects and urban designers makes it the ideal place to learn and grow as a sensitive and sensible designer –something the world needs more of today. I am looking forward to working with the multifaceted team on a dynamic range of projects”
Xiya Xu – Landscape Architect
Xiya Xu graduated with an MA in Landscape Architecture from The University of Sheffield in 2023, following a double degree in Landscape Architecture and English Literature from Northeast Agricultural University, China. Following her Masters, Xiya worked as a Graduate Landscape Architect at TGP Landscape Architects, Glasgow, before joining us in September.
Xiya’s studies and work experience in Landscape Architecture have equipped her with valuable skills and knowledge in Nature-based Solutions for Ecosystem Conservation and Restoration, Spatial Quality Improvement, Strategic Planning and Redevelopment of Cultural Heritage. Xiya continuously explores the potential of parametric design in landscape architecture and has a passion for ecological priorities and user-focused design, with a particular interest in how people perceive and utilise space. Sustainability together with a sense of belonging and place identity are important at every stage of the design process and are continuously emphasised in her practice.
“I am looking forward to the opportunity to contribute to TPHC’s broad array of innovative projects, where I can apply my skills, experience and interests. I am excited to collaborate and work alongside a talented team of professionals and learn from their experience and expertise.”
Lauren Barnett – Landscape Architect Intern
Lauren Barnett completed her BA in Landscape Architecture from Leeds Beckett University this summer. Currently, taking a year out before returning to further her studies she started as our Graduate Landscape Architect intern based in our busy Belfast office.
Lauren brings strong capabilities in creative software and an interest in making a difference to communities through people focused inclusive design. Her areas of interest include regenerating connections to encourage local engagement; masterplanning that improves access and usability; together with the consideration, identification and design of technical designs and detailing for community focused projects. The team at TPHC will utilise and encourage her interests and skills to develop attractive visualisations, master plans and research to enhance our projects and aid her in pursuing further education next year.
“During my time at TPHC, I look forward to working on live projects in a new environment and gaining valuable experience within the company that I can take with me into the future.”
