Uncommon architecture for the common good

Grace Choi Architecture Ltd is an RIBA Chartered Practice based in North Tyneside. 

We’re a value and design led friendly architectural practice who go the extra mile to help you think through and deliver your project.

We’re not afraid to get involved with big picture strategic thinking and take a proactive problem-solving approach to help you deal with issues that crop up.

We work across all sectors, with emphasis on community projects, bespoke homes and public buildings. Our attitude is: whatever the constraints, great spaces can be created with thoughtfulness and imagination.

We love thinking out of the box with creative, like-minded organisations, consultants and clients. We’re inventive, brave, uncover design possibilities and work hard for your budget.

We care about the world we live in, our impact on the carbon footprint and becoming an inclusive society. We’re AECB Carbon Lite graduates and advocate for both our planet and the fair treatment of people.

The practice was founded in London in 2010 by Grace Choi, an award-winning Architect with over two decades of experience working for leading firms. Relocation to the North East took place in 2013, with company incorporation in 2017.

Grace Choi B.Arch (Hons), Dip.Arch, M.Arch, RIBA

Director & Architect

Grace graduated from the Mackintosh School of Architecture in 1999, winning the prestigious RIAS silver medal (portfolio prize for Scotland) and the Charlie Cochrane silver medal. Following this Grace worked for several renowned practices in London, before working in Manchester for 10 years. During this time she joined pioneering practice Arca before becoming Senior Project Architect at OMI Architects. Throughout her career, Grace's built work has been highly acclaimed, winning national awards for social housing, galleries and museum design. Grace started the practice, challenged by social, ethical and economical imbalance around her, whilst raising a family.

Alongside practice, Grace is a regular university reviewer, speaker and writer. She was Director of the Mustard Tree charity for 7 years, in Manchester. She is an experienced chair, judge and communicator, currently sitting on the RIBAJ editorial panel. Grace also sits on the RIBA NE Council as Co-Chair and past Equity, Diversity and Inclusion champion, founding the Change The Record campaign group and popular JEDI talks. She has been a student mentor for up and coming young architects and advocates for ethical practice, design and equity. She loves family, community and running.


Matthew Wilson, BA (hons), MA, MSc, FRSA

Commercial Director

Matt is an incurable believer in the power of human potential, convinced that by working collaboratively we can create a better world. He spent his early career in Marketing before transitioning into the charity sector where for many years he was involved in tackling some of Britain’s most significant social challenges in senior executive roles including CEO.

Matt’s role in the business involves helping our charitable clients to consider and formulate plans in relation to the opportunities and risks involved in the development of their sites. He brings knowledge of the fundraising and investment landscape and is able to assist with the development of sound business plans that account for the financial, social impact and political realities involved in the mix.


Rob Johnson, BA(hons), BArch(hons) ARB

Architect

Rob has enjoyed practicing architecture in a range contexts and countries since qualifying as an architect in 2008. This has included delivering complex mixed-use schemes in urban and conservation settings across the UK for Faulknerbrowns, developing humanitarian facilities in East Africa for NGOs and the UN and design and management for a large contractor. Trained in low-carbon retrofit, he believes spaces and places are best with people and planet put at their heart.

Alongside practice Rob leads a studio at Newcastle University, supports a local charity helping sanctuary seekers and is a trustee of design NGO Engineering Ministries International. He likes mountaintop experiences and single malt whisky, preferably together.


Ally Langstaff, BArch(hons), MArch(distinction) ARB

Architect (freelance)

 

Ally gained her undergraduate and masters degrees at Northumbria University, and became a chartered architect through Newcastle University in 2022. Following time at award-winning North-East practices FaulknerBrowns and MawsonKerr Architects, she joined the GCA team earlier in 2023 excited to deliver creativity with conscience and keen to use her eye for detail to craft unique, joyful spaces. Ally continues to collaborate on GCA projects.

Alongside practice Ally undertakes intricate modelmaking and paper art commissions and fills any remaining pockets of time exploring the Northumbrian countryside. 

Reviews

"We have engaged with Grace and her architectural practice for the past few years. The service, final product and what can be achieved has been first class. Each project has been; on time, on track, on budget and on vision. I would have no hesitation on recommending Grace and we will be no doubt be using her services once again in the near future."

Dean Titterton: CEO YMCA North Tyneside

"Grace Choi is a uniquely gifted Architect. Her vision was central to our project which has transformed an abandoned ruin into an attractive and effective workplace. "

Frank Green: The Message Enterprise Centre Director, Manchester

"Grace was both down to earth and professional, secured Planning Approval and worked brilliantly with our team to help us develop creative and practical ideas for our new premises as we grew the work of the Wilberforce Trust. I would recommend Grace to any organisation, particularly those who need a fresh lease of life!"

Kat Osbourne: The Wilberforce Trust, Holy Trinity Brompton, London

“Thank you very much indeed for the wonderful job designing our home and project managing the building work. We are extremely pleased with the end result and your management of the building work was marvellous. Without your help we would surely not have been able to cope.”

Peter and Mhoire Corbett, Whitley Bay

“Grace has excellent design skills and a creative flair which has resulted in a transformation of our tired home into a fantastic living space. We are absolutely delighted with the end result and her total commitment to our project from initial concept through to completion.”

Jan & Ian Stafford, Whitley Bay

"Grace Choi Architecture took on the task of transforming the mess of a huge warehouse full of junk, behind the scenes at REfUSE Cafe, into a beautiful, simply designed and highly functional space. From the start, they worked to understand our values and vision as an organisation, as well as the details of how we work day to day, and designed the space to fit. Their commitment and support in managing the project and overseeing CDM through the building stage took a huge amount of stress away from me, and was managed professionally. The whole project happened within the time and financial budgets they estimated. Our community cafe is now open again after a year of closure due to Covid, and all the volunteers and staff team are loving the new kitchen and warehouse rooms. It just gives us so much more breathing space and organised processes, and so much space for growth, too. So thank you from all of us at REfUSE!"

REfUSE cafe, Chester-Le -Street

"Both Grace and Rob at Grace Choi Architecture have been an absolute pleasure to work with. They are both professional and personable and we have absolutely no hesitation in recommending them to others - indeed we already have. They understood the needs of our family and the constraints of our budget and came up with a design that was beautifully elegant, practical and just what we asked for (and more!). We honestly can't recommend Grace Choi Architecture enough; we now have a beautiful family home that we love living in!"

Sarah & Ian Pickett, Newcastle