Ruaridh Nicol

is an Associate at Holmes Miller

How did you get started in the field of architecture?

As a child, I was always drawing, which turned into a love for art, design and technical subjects at secondary school. I wanted to be a car designer originally.

I chose the University of Dundee to study architecture, to experience moving away from my home near Paisley, and because of the balance between artistic and technical aspects.

My architectural career began at Richmond Architects, where I worked over the summers to gain work experience during university. It was a small firm that focused on conservation, and I loved surveying historic church spires and bringing new life to existing buildings.

Through university, I worked for an architectural visualisation company, Soluis. Working here helped me better understand client needs and to develop realistic representations of their visions, appreciating not everyone can read technical drawings.

My final-year university project introduced me to Passivhaus and low-energy buildings; lessons that have stuck with me since.

I’ve been with Holmes Miller for over a decade now, where I have met some great people, trained as a certified Passivhaus Designer and worked on some fantastic education projects.

Were there any pivotal moments or experiences that solidified your decision to pursue a career in architecture and design?

I can’t pinpoint any specific moment, but my interest probably began with constructing LEGO buildings with my gran, each one getting more intricate and expanding the ‘city’ in her hallway.

Growing up, I remember visiting historic buildings like Paisley Abbey, Alexander ’Greek’ Thomson buildings around Glasgow and St Paul’s Cathedral in London, always being encouraged by my parents to “look up” and appreciate their impressive scale and detail.

If you hadn’t followed your passion for being an architect, what other career path would you have pursued?

Definitely photography. Whenever I’m out, I’m always thinking about what would make a good picture on the wall. I love hiking and travelling, so a job that would take me outdoors would have great health and wellbeing benefits. Being from the west of Scotland, I am used to bad weather, so that wouldn’t bother me!

What has been your greatest influence and source of inspiration?

Historic Greek architecture. Everywhere you go, there is a grand civic building in a Greek style, and I like the idea of buildings as landmarks or icons. This interest encouraged me to visit incredible places like Museum Island in Berlin. I’d love to see natural stone used more in modern construction.

What’s been the most memorable project you’ve worked on, and for what reason?

While at university, I carried out a research project called MacroMicro Studio, to create a self-sustaining building. We undertook every aspect ourselves, including physically constructing it at Dundee’s Botanic Gardens, which gave me a real appreciation for the people who build what us architects draw. I was lucky enough to hike to the Monte Rosa Hütte in Switzerland, which inspired the project. At nearly 3000m altitude and across a glacier, it is the most challenging site I’ve visited!

This project was also a prototype for the Passivhaus buildings that are such a focus for me now.

Can you share a personal anecdote or experience that taught you a valuable lesson about being an architect?

Architects don’t often get to experience their designs in use, particularly in education, so it was great to be invited to see how pupils and staff at Renton Campus (a primary school) were using their learning spaces in surprising ways. I would never have expected the creative ways the children use the roof terraces or amphitheatre steps, for example. This highlighted how important it is to thoroughly engage with building users as part of the design process. The children told us they wanted a slide on the roof, so I put one in, which has been a huge success.

Could you walk us through a typical workday in your current role?

I have a few different roles at Holmes Miller. As project lead, I am involved in all aspects of design, collaboration and the construction process. I spend a lot of time with clients, understanding what they need. With my sustainability hat on, I recently led the update and release of the practice’s new sustainability charter, so I’m involved in rolling that out across the board. As an Associate, there are also management tasks, like overseeing quality standards and project resourcing.

The practice recently brought in a nine-day fortnight, so on a typical tenth day, I can usually be found out hiking.

What is your favourite building?

Berlin’s Olympic Stadium. I love the uniform, natural materials, grandeur and civic presence. It’s a great example of how architecture can help create an amazing atmosphere and bring joy to its users.

In your opinion, who is the greatest architectural mastermind of our time?

For me, an architectural mastermind is someone who understands the impact their buildings have on the world and the way their occupants feel. So, I’d consider Passivhaus Creator Dr. Wolfgang Feist – someone who has been pivotal in addressing the climate emergency while also focusing on user comfort. His concept has changed my perception of how buildings should be designed and the significance of architectural form.

If you were hosting a dinner party to discuss architecture and design, and you could invite three individuals, either from the past or the present, who would you choose to join your conversation?

I’d choose three individuals with very different approaches, so we could get a good debate going. Firstly, I’d invite the aforementioned Dr. Feist. Then, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, whose incredible work was also a radical approach to architecture and technology. I heard Zaha Hadid talk at an event when her Riverside Museum in Glasgow first opened and found it fascinating. So, I’d love to hear her and Dr. Feist debate how her creating flamboyant designs might work in a net-zero future. I might even get some answers to my 2013 thesis discussion: ‘Should form follow performance?’

Looking ahead, what exciting projects or initiatives can we anticipate from you in the coming year?

A large Passivhaus education campus in Faifley in the west of Scotland, which will be a true community building and landmark for the area. It’s a great example of the practice’s sustainable approach.

I am also doing some formal retrofit training, so I’m looking forward to giving existing buildings, like those that have inspired my career so far, a new lease of life. I expect retrofit to really take off in the coming years, so I am ready to take on that challenge.