Sophie has been Design Director at Atomik Architecture since 2020. Having started her career working on cultural and heritage projects at practices in Glasgow and Edinburgh, she moved to London in 2007 to lead larger schemes in Europe and the Middle East. Sophie then went on to set up her own award winning practice – Kirkwood McCarthy – in 2013. Her portfolio covers residential, hospitality, hotels, museums and office projects at many different scales, and in widely varying contexts. This experience, working in practices large and small, and for herself as a practice founder, means she is skilled at all levels of project delivery, and is particularly suited to working across Atomik's broad range of project types. Being an architect is all she has ever really wanted to do, for the diverse circle of collaborators, the huge variety of project types and challenges, and the satisfaction of seeing someone thrive in a space that she has created for them. Sophie is intentionally a non-specialist specialist, preferring to work with consistent care and attention across a wide range of scales and typologies. She finds the invisible, meticulous detailing, which most people might not notice, but which brings together anything from a piece of furniture to a large-scale façade system, deeply satisfying. Having led her own all-female studio for several years, she exemplifies – and is empowered by – Atomik's attitude that values the person rather than their gender.

Statement:

In this beautifully diverse world, how can we understand, explore, design and build for all, if our industry isn't represented by all. We have the responsibility and the opportunity to change the discourse on women in the construction industry and help them find their voice.