Meet our Head Architect

12 January 2023

At the heart of the design process at Pelham is Mike Price, Head Architect. Mike joined NCHA in 1993 to support the design team, which evolved into Pelham Architects and then officially became ‘Pelham’ in 2021.

Mike has been involved in many social housing schemes for NCHA as well as external clients across the East Midlands. We interviewed him to understand is role and find out who influenced him most during his journey.

Which architect has been most influential to you?

As a student, I was into a Dutch architect named Herman Hertzberger. I really liked his use of blockwork which led me onto touring parts of Holland. During my travels, I discovered the work of Michel de Klerk. He designed huge housing estates in the 1920s, utilising some amazing brick detailing.

How did you first get into architecture?

I was always the ‘arty’ one at school; good at 3D and technical drawing. I left school with very few ‘O’ levels, not really knowing what to do. My father was a carpenter so I often helped him out with work. Then I decided to enrol on a Building Technology course and retook my ‘O’ levels at evening classes.

From there, I completed my ‘RIBA Part 3’ and a ‘Diploma in Urban Design’ in Birmingham and Oxford before working for a private practice.

What inspires your work?

Social housing design is difficult! The main challenge we have is getting as much out of a site as possible within the cost parameters. We’re always trying to get the most out of every square inch of land and every square inch of built form, for a minimal cost. But the end result is worth it. I get great satisfaction out of knowing that we are providing good, solid housing design for some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

What does your role involve?

My role is to lead the work of the architectural team at Pelham. We have a fantastic team of architects and experienced technicians who know housing inside out. Like me, they strive to get the best out of every scheme.

I am also responsible for balancing the workload across the team, agreeing fees with external clients, reviewing every project and providing advice on all aspects of design.

Pelham team

(From left to right: Barbara Stillman, David Parker, Darron Waldram, Andy Meek, Mike Price, Simon Henderson, Sridhar Linga)

What do you enjoy most about the work you do for Pelham?

Over the past few years we’ve been working for a range of external clients, including private house builders, housing associations and local authorities. This has provided us with a new source of design projects which has been really enjoyable. We work with these clients to achieve their goals. All our clients have different objectives but all strive for the same key objectives, better space standards and energy efficiency.

What projects are you currently working on and excited about?

I am heavily involved in the design and redevelopment of the former college site on Farnborough Road in Clifton. Our ambition is to create a new mixed use development, retaining the existing sporting facilities and introducing a new head office for NCHA along with a range of accommodation for older people and people with support needs.