about

We established archangels ARCHITECTS in 2009 in Brighton and have since expanded to the Isle of Wight. We are a friendly, approachable and award-winning architectural practice with a mission to create cost-effective, creative, low-energy buildings that improve everyday living. As a local business, we have built strong relationships with a trusted group of consultants and contractors. Our projects range from developer housing to bespoke new build homes to extensions and alterations of existing homes.

We are a creative team with a shared passion for solving everyday challenges. Logic, order and beautiful moments in our every day bring joy, calm and inspiration. We don’t resign ourselves to living in spaces that frustrate us and you shouldn’t either. The gestures may be grand, but they don’t have to be. Whatever the scale, they do need to be well thought through. We help you think things through and identify smart fixes for your everyday living. 

We try to keep the design process simple. You share your lifestyle, challenges, ideas, priorities and dreams. We listen, guide, inspire, explore and collaborate. Together, we can create your dream home.

richard zinzan (he/him)

D I R E C T O R | A R C H I T E C T
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Richard founded archangels ARCHITECTS in 2009 and leads the studio with a clear vision. A systematic and organised thinker, he is able to assess the challenge at hand and illustrate the best way forward in a no-nonsense manner. Richard approaches opportunities creatively and analytically and, above all, he is concerned with what is ‘right’ for you.

Richard’s interest in design and low energy building led him to substantially renovate his own home. While creating a more contemporary home aesthetically, he also upgraded the thermal envelope, installed solar panels and added a home automation system. The result has improved his lifestyle and reduced household energy consumption significantly.

Richard is on the steering committee for The Green Register. He also mentors Architecture students at the University of Brighton and for the RIBA South East Mentoring Scheme. When not hard at work, he enjoys cycling, travelling, live music and the arts.

hannah france (she/her)

A R C H I T E C T U R A L D E S I G N E R
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Hannah bolsters and promotes the team spirit both in and outside of the office. She is a team player to her core and her enthusiasm for the challenge at hand and reaching both shared and personal goals is infectious. She enjoys brainstorming sessions, lively debate and close collaborations with others. Outside of work, Hannah enjoys traveling Europe, updating 60’s purpose built apartments and of course, exploring Brighton beach with her one year old son.

rachael pigg (she/her)

S E N I O R A R C H I T E C T
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Rachael brings a strong background in architecture and interior design to the studio. An open minded, curious and insightful nature enables her to bring excellent long-range vision to any design challenge. Rachael’s interest in how interior environments inform the way we live fuels her enthusiasm for working with unique clients and their authentic stories.

She is also a paper cutting artist, who can often be found in cafes, sketching, cycling or exploring galleries when not involved in creative breakfast table conversations with her two children.

GABRIELLA EASON (she/her)

A R C H I T E C T U R A L D E S I G N E R
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With her sociable and kind nature Gaby makes a great presence in the studio that never goes unnoticed by the team. Gaby likes to design spaces around daylight and holds a huge amount of knowledge when it comes to the benefits of natural light and how you can build a space around it. Her interest in sustainable design and eagerness to blend tradition with modern technique means that she is well armed to strike the perfect balance for whatever our clients require. Outside of work you can find Gaby renovating her Victorian terraced property, cycling the roads of Sussex or training for her first marathon - with regular coffee and chocolate breaks along the way!

jack hughes (he/him)

A R C H I T E C T U R A L D E S I G N E R
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Jack hails from the Wirral, Merseyside. As a creative problem solver, he is never one to shy away from completing the broad range of tasks put before him to the finest standard. Jack’s ability to work within the constraints of a brief or project partnered with his eagerness to develop his skills contributes to the successful movement of the team.

Studying in Newcastle and London then, relocating south after only living in Brighton for a month to find his part one placement back in 2018 highlights Jack’s eye for adventure, and pursuit for liveliness and culture. A prolific house plant enthusiast inside and outside of the practice elevates his eye for detail; you can find Jack hiking across national parks, mastering a chess board or relaxing at home with a home cooked meal.

natasha pochin (she/her)

A R C H I T E C T U R A L D E S I G N E R
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Originally from New Zealand, Natasha joined the studio in 2022.  Her social, determined and insightful personality makes her eager to participate wholeheartedly in any given task. Captivated by her work and is always up for new ideas and challenges to test her abilities, she focuses on delivering the highest standard of solutions, possibilities and ideas for all of our clients. Natashas weekends and evenings are spent playing football, sketching, painting and playing the piano.

business ambassador

S U S S E X N I G H T S T O P
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We are proud to be the first Business Ambassador to Sussex Nightstop in 2019. Sussex Nightstop is a Brighton based charity who support homeless people aged 16-25. Nightstop's offer is very simple but very real. They recruit volunteers, who after training open up their spare room to provide a safe, warm bed and a hot meal, one night at a time. They do it night-by-night because their volunteers typically have limited availability but also because they need the young person to be active in the process of finding a solution to their homelessness and re-engaging for the next nights’ accommodation is a good way of fostering this.

Confronted with the amount of homelessness on our streets it is often hard to know what the right thing to do is. For us, Nightstop is a solution we can have confidence in and be proud of supporting.