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.