Alistair Haxton
MD Alistair Haxton worked as an advertising and editorial illustrator in Soho for the likes of Saatchi & Saatchi before a passion for great buildings, and memories of his father and grandfather at work in their draughtsman’s office, led him to university and the architectural drawing board. He qualified in 1991, bringing to architecture his creative flair and a passion for finding ways of ensuring great design always works to enhance people’s lives.
Positions in a number of practices have given him a wealth of experience. Alistair has worked on London’s iconic O2 Arena, the regeneration of numerous schools across the Midlands and Lincolnshire – one in consultation with former Prime Minister Sir John Major – plus numerous specialised listed building projects ranging from barn conversions, restoring farmhouses, cottages and grand period properties.
He is also highly experienced in working with medical practices and with disability access, and has worked with legal trustees to create homes for their clients. His extensive work on housing projects includes imaginative and elegant residential extensions and conversions.
Favourite project:
Converting of a Victorian brick industrial store in a highly popular residential Sheffield location into an uber-cool, contemporary open-plan two-storey home for a client in his 20s. An inner courtyard garden accessible from both levels floods the property with light. This highly complex scheme worked beautifully.
Dream project:
A mountain ski chalet. Firstly I must confess, I love skiing. But I would relish the challenge of creating a property which successfully contrasts the stunning exterior panorama with the comforting feel of a cosy bolt-hole, so necessary after an exhilarating day on the slopes.
Scott Wood
Architectural Technicial Scott Wood gives HKA an invaluable practical insight into the world of construction.
Before joining us with an honours degree in architectural technology, his entire working life had been spent in the building trade.
He has skills and qualifications in a wide range of construction disciplines, having continually sought education throughout his 33-year career – NVQs in Bricklaying, Roofing and Cladding, a Sub-diploma in Construction in the Built Environment and a HNC with distinction in Construction In the Built Environment.
He gained the latter at Chesterfield College while running his own construction firm. But never one to rest on his laurels, Scott decided to push himself further and develop a long-held passion for architecture and design into a new career. He headed to Sheffield Hallam University, continuing to run his business through four challenging years of part-time study. He achieved his goal aged 52.
He has now handed management of his business to his son and is firmly focussed on his architectural career at HKA.
Favourite project:
An HKA design which will create two stunning homes in a picturesque Derbyshire valley for one family. To take best advantage of the views to the rear, and to ensure we meet with planning authority approval, both homes will be semi-submerged into the ground to create a low front profile. I am really enjoying the complex design issues this entails.
Dream project:
I would love the challenge of building a certified passive house, which would truly showcase our innovative design ideas and our commitment to sustainability, low carbon footprint and low energy running costs.
Bobbie Risorto
Bobbie Risotto joined the practice for 12 months in his third year of an architectural technology degree in 2016 – and enjoyed it so much, he stayed.
Our office on Glumangate is now his ‘classroom’ four days a week; he attends Sheffield Hallam University on the fifth day.
Bobbie chose to complete his degree part-time on day-release from HKA after deciding he preferred ‘learning in the real world’.
By the time he graduates, he will have clocked up three years of work experience in our architectural practice. We feel his skills, understanding and confidence have grown immeasurably – and love helping him to shape his future.
Bobbie has Italian roots – the name is a dead giveaway! His father’s parents are from Calabria and Ischia in Southern Italy. However, career-wise he is following in the footsteps of his maternal grandfather, a Derbyshire draftsman. Chesterfield Bobbie set his cap at architecture in secondary school, studying for a BTec in Construction And The Built Environment. He continued those studies at Chesterfield College, and enrolled at Sheffield Hallam in 2014.
Favourite project:
Creating an outdoor water sport centre south of Nottingham is a hugely exciting new challenge for us.
We are designing the park’s vital hub, the main building which will house a cafe, classrooms and changing rooms, plus access routes and parking, and are overseeing the landscape masterplan.
Dream project:
My own home. I would love to use the skills I’m acquiring in heritage architecture to convert a rundown old building into a place I feel a kick of pride for when I walk into it every day. Or maybe I find a piece of land with an amazing view and create from scratch a home that fits the landscape.
Peter Koyander
Peter Koyander is a consummate architect with nearly 30 years’ experience.
He now specialises within the practice as a consultant in contentious town planning issues, preparing expert witness reports and disputes, boundaries and rights of way issues in both commercial and residential sectors.
Favourite project:
Fairplay Centre in Chesterfield – a wonderful project from start to finish. The staff of this registered charity had the vision to commission a unique building with a nurturing environment for young people with disabilities. It was a joy to work with them – and it’s not often you get to design a building with a waterfall in the circulation space!
Dream project:
Whatever great schemes we are developing in the design office. I am always excited by the next project.
Jo Davison
Jo Davison is our in-house PR and business development manager, who comes to us after a distinguished career in journalism. She specialised in in-depth feature-writing and opinion columns before becoming a leading business journalist in Sheffield.
Jo is now a PR and communications specialist. She has brought with her a vast contacts book and highly valuable communications and research skills. Jo is helping us to grow our workload and brand, forge new relationships and plan a communications strategy.
Favourite project:
I love to follow the tasks the architectural team are working on. A stone coach house recently converted into a stunning yet cosy annexe to the beautiful Cavendish hotel in Baslow is a particular favourite. There are now four spacious rooms with wonderful bathrooms. Two have been carefully and subtly enhanced to give people with mobility issues the space and facilities they need.
Dream project:
To renovate a French chateau. I would chose a small chateau, though- I have no desire to turn my chic summer home into a wedding venue!
Kira Atkin
Kira Atkin is an Architectural Technologist in the making.
She is in the third year of a four-year degree course at Sheffield Hallam University, and on placement with HKA to enhance her knowledge and learn how to apply it in practice.
She found her passion for architecture at the age of ten – thanks to Channel 4’s property series Grand Designs. Kira wanted to be involved in creating beautiful buildings that enhance their owners’ lives when she grew up. She decided to specialise in the technical side of architecture and studied for an extended Diploma Level 3 in applied science and 3D design at sixth form.
At Sheffield Hallam she is also studying modules in history and conservation and is developing a passion for the conservation of older buildings and keeping tradition alive. Environmental issues are another keen interest. Kira is considering studying for a Masters degree in environmental technology or construction.
Favourite project:
I have assisted the HKA team on the design of a spacious five-bedroom home which will feature local stone and lots of feature glass. The master bedroom will cover the majority of the upper floor and feature a walk-in wardrobe which every girl dreams of.
Dream project:
To one day build an eco home for myself and future family to live in.
The practice:
Haxton Koyander Architecture formed in January 2015 from the merger of two long-established practices.
Haxton Associates launched in Sheffield in 2005 and Koyander Architects Ltd has been based in Chesterfield since 1998. The fusion of experience, creativity and professionalism in these two practices has created what we believe is a vibrant, forward-thinking team with a vast range of talents and experience and an extensive knowledge of the planning and regulatory process. We are passionate about good design – and combining creativity with functionality so that your project doesn’t just look great inside and out, it works beautifully too.
From our Sheffield and Chesterfield offices we give a highly personalised and cost-effective service to commercial developers, growing businesses, charities, schools, home-owners and land-owners. We respond swiftly to every client‘s needs with the one-to-one consultation we believe is vital for a perfect end result.
Completed schemes:
- Conversion of a large, redundant Victorian factory complex into a contemporary business centre which now boasts tenants from a host of sectors
- Residential extensions including creating a cutting-edge roof terrace and remodelling the upper floors of a Victorian four-storey town house in Maida Vale London
- Block of apartments in Chesterfield within a restrictive town centre site
- Complex projects in education which provided new and highly-valued spaces to a time-conscious schedule
- Housing developments in Sheffield, Dronfield and Chesterfield
- Office refurbishments in Sheffield and Derbyshire
- Creating and extending numerous medical practices in Lincolnshire and Derbyshire. Often such work was tailored around a busy, working surgery
Ongoing schemes:
- Refurbishment of a Methodist church in Tideswell
- Sensitive refurbishment of a Grade 2 listed hall in Rowthorne for Chatsworth Settlement Trustees
- In planning: Proposal to return a substantial Victorian manor house latterly in use as a care home back to a private residence, and build three detached homes in its Sheffield grounds
- Conversion of a Victorian industrial warehouse in Sheffield into an urbane, contemporary bachelor pad
- Conversion of a late Georgian shop in Alfreton market place into an optician’s, with apartments above
- Building of three new cottages on Green Field land in Nottinghamshire. Outline planning granted. Full planning permission in the process of being sought.
- Number of residential developments ranging from 5 to 48 dwellings
- External works for a popular Peak district Farm shop
- Bespoke dwelling for a private client in North East Derbyshire
