Laura Simpkins

Laura Simpkins is an ARB-registered architect and the founder of Pride Road New Forest and Bournemouth, part of the Pride Road residential architecture franchise. Based in the New Forest in Hampshire, she specialises in house extensions, remodelling and loft conversions for the domestic market, working with homeowners across the south of England.

Laura qualified at the international practice Broadway Malyan, working on large design-and-build schemes, before moving to a design-led studio in Romsey specialising in schools. After a period balancing part-time practice with raising three children, redundancy in the 2008 downturn and a deliberate career break, she launched her own studio in January 2020 through the Pride Road franchise. Her practice uses a systemised residential model built around free consultations, live design workshops and outsourced technical production, which she adapted to run entirely online during the pandemic. She is a strong advocate for flexible working, role models and peer support in architecture.

Watch or listen to the full conversation in the Architecture Social CPD: Building a Residential Architecture Practice Around Family Life ft. Laura Simpkins at Pride Road.