We're excited to share that Colin Wharry has joined Orms as a Senior Associate to help develop and grow our living sector.

He brings extensive experience in the design and delivery of residential projects across London and has led several award-winning large-scale housing projects, dealing with complex urban sites, strategic regeneration, and sensitive historic contexts. A major focus of his work has been estate regeneration, the provision of affordable housing, and alternate models of rental housing.

Colin is currently appointed as a residential expert member of the London Borough of Croydon Design Review Panel, and he has over a decade of experience teaching postgraduate architecture.

Q: To begin, could you tell us a little about your background? You’ve spent nearly two decades specialising in housing—what first drew you to the sector, and what key lessons from that experience are you bringing to Orms?

I’ve recently joined Orms to help develop and grow the practice’s living-sector offer. Previously, at Maccreanor Lavington Architects, I developed a specialism in the design and delivery of housing at all scales. A major focus of my work has been estate regeneration and the delivery of affordable housing; dealing with complex urban sites and sensitive historic contexts.

I believe that access to secure, appropriate and high-quality homes, is an inalienable right for people in all stages of life. Sadly, we are experiencing a housing emergency.

I want to refocus my efforts on the provision of housing, which seeks to enable a more equitable and generous city. To approach new projects with realistic optimism; ambitious but grounded in what it actually takes to deliver. In particular, I want to work with innovative clients to deliver projects across all housing sectors, balancing an appreciation of commercial viability with social and environmental responsibility, that serve broader public needs.

Q: How has your background informed your architectural approach, and how has it shaped your thinking on quality and long-term value in housing?

Much of my work can be characterised by a contextual response; utilising simple techniques and common materials; to create sensitively designed, carefully crafted buildings; which have an inherent quality and physical robustness.

That idea of longevity has stayed with me throughout my career. However, the legacy of a building is much more than its physical robustness. I believe we have an obligation to the city to design buildings that are deserving of care, repair and adaption; and will hopefully go through multiple changes in their lifetime.

I’m very interested in buildings that can outlast their current use. This comes from a focus on things like material quality, spatial generosity and efficient servicing, rather than trying to anticipate an unknown future. It’s essential that our clients share a sense of long-term guardianship: a vested interest in the building’s physical quality and generosity; an appreciation of the value of a project’s wider social, cultural, and environmental legacy.

Q: As you reflect on your housing work, what does “generosity” mean to you in practice and how can housing contribute to a more responsible and resilient future?

Over the past month, I have taken the opportunity to think strategically about my new role at Orms; the future direction of the practice’s living sector and what our unique offer to the housing conversation might be. It has allowed me to reflect on some of my previous work, and to reframe it through the lens of Orms, understanding where the generosity lies in each project.

It has given me an appreciation for the types of client relationships I want to nurture. One thing that attracted me to Orms, was the assertion that good clients are critical to the success of the projects. When I joined Orms, I learned that our directors begin projects by asking, “How can we help?”. It’s a fundamentally generous approach and is pertinent to where I hope to focus our energy in the coming months.

Q: You are part of the Croydon Design Review Panel and have taught postgraduate architecture for over 10 years. How has this shaped your sense of accountability in your own work, and how has it influenced the way you lead and support others?

Its taught me the value of listening carefully.

As a tutor, my role is often to distil; to strip back the superfluous and try to understand the root of an idea; to provide a point of departure. From there, we help to build an armature around ideas, so they can be developed and communicated clearly.

..and it’s the same with clients, communities and colleagues. Listening well is not passive; it’s a design tool. Listening is at the heart of Orms ethos; and this approach underpins the origin of accountability.

I care deeply about developing the next generation. I’ve mentored numerous architects through all stages of their careers, supporting their growth and transition into senior design roles, and creating space for people to develop confidence and autonomy. I’m also a strong advocate for equal access to the profession… and as a dad of two powerful women, I’m committed to promoting a more inclusive and supportive environment across the industry.

Q: Looking ahead, what excites you most about joining Orms at this moment and where do you hope to focus your energy?

It’s an incredibly exciting time to join Orms, and a real opportunity to help shape the next phase of the practice’s evolution with a renewed focus on housing. I’m looking forward to working closely with Miranda, and I genuinely believe we share a common vision: to develop a residential portfolio that is socially, financially and environmentally responsible.

We want to build on the expertise of the wider office, and see Orms’ extensive experience in transformative reuse as a particular niche; one that enables us to unlock the unrealised potential of repurposing existing buildings to help address the current housing shortage. I also have a particular interest in alternate models of housing within the rental market, widening access to secure, thoughtfully designed homes in a constantly changing world.

Ultimately, I want to find the generosity in every project we do.