About Us
About the team at Hibbs & Walsh
Mike Hibbs and Seb Walsh have been close friends all their lives. It was on one of their regular get-togethers that they decided to retrain as Architects.
They have worked in partnership since 1998, and in October 2012 formed Hibbs & Walsh Associates Limited. With over 80 years’ experience of the building process between them, their successful multi-disciplinary practice serves a wide area around Saffron Walden and further afield.
Although both are experienced in a range of projects, Mike concentrates on the renovation and extension of older and historic buildings, while Seb focuses on contemporary commissions.
Mike is a member of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings and the Essex Historic Buildings Group. The partners share a particular interest in how both historic and modern buildings can be made more sustainable.
Hibbs & Walsh shares business premises with well-known local Surveyors, Snow Walker Associates.
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Mike Hibbs
Mike has practised Architecture in his home town Saffron Walden since the mid-1990s.
With a degree in Politics and Sociology from Birmingham University under his belt, Mike worked for a Saffron Walden builders’ merchant while he renovated a listed building as his home, sparking his enthusiasm for architecture.
While studying for his architecture degree at North London Polytechnic (now London Metropolitan University), Mike worked part-time for local architect Kenneth Mark. He took his Diploma in Architecture under tutors Florian Beigel and Peter St John.
Mike was elected Town Councillor in Saffron Walden while he was still studying and served as Mayor in the final year of his Diploma. He was a Town Councillor for thirty years, Chairman of the District Council, and served a second term as Mayor in 2008.
Mike has stood for Parliament as a Liberal Democrat candidate for the Saffron Walden Constituency in the last three General Elections, coming second in 2019.
In his spare time (!!!) Mike is involved in several local organisations and charities, including the Saffron Walden Outreach Project, working with young people, which he founded in 1994. He is also honoured to be Chairman of the Saffron Walden Historical Society.
Mike lives in Saffron Walden where he raised his family. He and his wife enjoy tending their allotment, which has incredible views of the historic side of the town. Mike Hibbs’ LinkedIn profile
Seb Walsh
Born in Colchester, Seb originally qualified as an Industrial Designer, setting up his own company for the design and manufacture of high-class point of sale goods, displays and products, using innovatory vacuum-forming methods.
His first house renovation, using his own drawings, gave him an early taste of the planning system! This led to private architectural and building projects near his local coastal routes and further afield in Luxembourg and Central France.
Seb studied Architecture part-time at North East London Polytechnic (NELP) in the mid-1980s, achieving a rare 1st class Honours Degree.
Seeking a different way of life, Seb travelled to Trinidad and Tobago and Isla de Margarita to design homes for local people. He set up a survey and preservation programme for the Leatherback turtle, a worldwide endangered species, and completely restored and converted a Brazilian fishing boat as a cruising vessel.
Since joining Mike in 1998, Seb has become known as the contemporary partner of the multi-disciplinary practice, designing residential houses for private clients, and extensions, alterations and residential developments.
Through his work on sensitive sites, such as conservation areas and within the grounds of listed buildings, he has created a good relationship with many conservation and planning officers.
Recently he and his designer partner designed and built a unique 11’6″ x 65′ widebeam narrowboat, on which they live and work.
Seb Walsh’s LinkedIn profile
Kate Marchant
Kate worked for Hibbs & Walsh Architects during her BA Architecture degree in 2004-7. She was thrilled to re-join the practice in 2018 with a view to succeeding Seb and Mike when they retire.
Kate qualified as an Architect in 2011 and has experience in delivering both large scale and one-off residential projects from design to completion.
Her particular expertise is working within the conservation sector. Prior to joining Hibbs & Walsh, Kate worked for the English Heritage Trust conserving their collection of some of the country’s most important historic properties including Kenwood House and Eltham Palace.
Before this, she worked for the London firm PCKO Architects where she helped to deliver several projects which have gone on to win design awards, including Peabody’s Plaistow Hospital development and Hastoe Housing’s Turners Hill Passive House development.
Outside of Hibbs & Walsh Kate enjoys walking the river paths of Hertfordshire or hiking in the Lake District, her favourite hikes being the Old Man of Coniston, Crinkle Crags or Derwent Water up to Catbells.
Kate has a background in fine art and paints when she can, currently perfecting the art of finger painting with her two young children Annie and Edward.
Kris Frith
Kris was delighted to join Hibbs & Walsh in mid-2019 to share the partnership succession with Kate.
Kris is a Project Architect and Chartered Member of the Royal Institute of British Architects. His portfolio comprises large scale residential and mixed-use projects for PRP Architects; commercial, residential and affordable housing for PCKO Architects in London; contemporary and listed public and private projects across the Chilterns AONB; and bespoke luxury coastal residences for Thomas Faire Architects in Burnham Market.
He studied Architecture at the University of Westminster, Kingston University under Adam Khan and David Knight, and Cardiff University under Professor Sarah Lupton and Manos Stellakis.
Over 15 years he has gained experience across all project stages, ranging from conceptual design and planning to technical detailing and construction. Covering London, the Home Counties and further afield, he has a track record of delivering high-quality projects regardless of size and scope.
Past clients include Levy LLP, HRH Princess Alexandra, The Grosvenor Estate, Canada Life Investments and Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward.
When not at his digital drawing board, Kris spends time with his wife and three children enjoying walks along the north Norfolk coast, and loves road trips through Europe seeking out architectural treasures and inspiration.
Gloria Sedda
Gloria brought her delightful Italian flair to Hibbs and Walsh Associates in 2017. She has worked on a range of schemes from large single residences to small residential developments, extensions and alterations. She especially enjoys designing new houses, with a focus on modern vernacular architecture. She joined the ARB in 2018.
Graduating in Architecture of Buildings, Gloria joined the Cagliari Architect Registration Board. She deepened her interest in religious architecture by taking a Master’s Honours degree in Architecture and Sacred Art, specialising in the relationship between ancestral architecture and sacred worship. During her studies at the Pontifical University, she was commissioned to research the Nuragic Holy Wells and sacred architecture in Sardinia. She continued to develop her interests, studying history, archaeology, liturgy and biblical Hebrew.
Gloria began her professional career in Italy in 2012 working mainly on small residential schemes. For five years she worked as a freelance architect in the events sector, designing stages and sets for international concerts, alongside production directors and crew.
In her spare time, Gloria loves long walks in the woods and discovering new rural running trails. Gloria loves travelling and discovering new places, and returning to the homely environment of her beloved Sardinia.
Simon Thompson
Simon joined Hibbs and Walsh in 2012, after graduating from the Leicester School of Architecture.
During his time with the practice, he has enjoyed his role in the design and construction of a wide variety of projects, including residential, commercial and listed buildings, within Saffron Walden and beyond the Essex borders.
Simon’s favourite projects are those involving the sensitive conversion of redundant buildings into residential homes. He particularly enjoys seeing buildings being reimagined beyond their intended purpose and knowing that they will be maintained and loved for many years to come.
He has a keen interest in 3D digital rendering and likes to practice different styles of output from photorealism to more a more artistic style. He has used these skills to provide 3D renders for both clients and planners, helping to showcase projects in a visually impressive way.
Simon lives in a Suffolk village with his wife and their young daughter. They love to explore the surrounding countryside and find new adventures to go on, or maybe if the weather is bad, stay home and build train tracks together.
Lisa Taylor
Lisa joined Hibbs and Walsh Associates in 2003 as the Office Manager and has been keeping things running smoothly ever since. She is the go-to person for everything to do with the accounts and general administration.
After returning from maternity leave in 2014, Lisa now works part-time in a job-share arrangement with Angie. Depending on which day you call with your enquiry, Lisa or Angie will be there to help.
When she’s not in the office Lisa likes helping out at her son’s school, doing all kinds of baking, and spending time with her family both at home and away on family holidays.
Angie Knight
Angie joined Hibbs & Walsh in 2014 to provide maternity cover for Lisa… and never left. She loves working with the friendly team at Hibbs & Walsh, and says it feels like one big family.
In her spare time, Angie enjoys photography and is often behind the lens at family gatherings. She loves animals and no waifs or strays are ever turned away. She currently has a small menagerie comprising two border collies, a cat, a rabbit, two hamsters and a dozen chickens and wants to get a goat.
Angie loves travelling around the UK in her little red Mini Cooper convertible, which she has owned for 16 years, discovering new places to see, particularly the stunning countryside of the Yorkshire Dales, Moors and hills.
