Meet Michael & Patricia Hickey of ‘Bubble Architects’

aspirations within the Client’s budget. We focus on design, cost and sustainability.

What characteristics set you apart from other practices?

As a husband-and-wife team, the founding partners remain hands on Architects actively involved in the design and construction of all our projects. We are a family run business. We have also built up a team of like-minded architects that enjoy the challenge of meeting and exceeding client’s expectations.

We are trained Sustainability Assessors and can advise on how to make a home more energy efficient.

Could you illustrate an example of a residential development you worked on locally and the outcome for your client?

We have worked in most of the London Boroughs so have experience of the various building types that are found in London.

Tell us about the background of Bubble Architects?

Bubble Architects was established in 2010 by husband-and-wife team Michael and Patricia Hickey. Michael has worked for a number of top 10 UK Practices. Having originally trained as an Architectural Technologist in Dublin and later as an Architect at London Met, he enjoys both the initial conceptual design stage as well as the later technical stage on site.

Patricia studied in Brunswick, Berlin and London, commenced her career in Germany at small design practices. She moved to London in 2002 and joined one of UK’s leading practices, where she established a strong background in residential projects. She is a licenced BRE Code for Sustainable Homes Assessor and External Examiner at Kingston University.

What’s your customer process from receiving that initial enquiry?

It’s essential from the outset of the project for us to clearly understand the client’s main objectives and priorities in commissioning the work. The best way to do that is to meet them on site so they can explain their requirements and using our design skills and experience, we can begin to discuss the various ways that could be achieved.

At our initial meeting we can also talk about high level costs and how to achieve the design

We were commissioned by one couple who had lived in Crouch End for over 30 years to renovate their 1930’s home and create an open plan kitchen. When we met on site, we saw that the view to the rear down the slope to the allotments was both glorious and at that point unseen. As the scheme progressed, this view informed the design process both internally and externally and saw a large opening and terraces being created as well as a rooftop balcony where previously, there was a small rooflight. The realised scheme achieved not only the initial client brief but helped to maximize the potential of the home and garden. Another project we like to mention is a side infill extension that we did in the area. They are currently very popular but can face constraints depending on conservation area, neighbouring property etc.

Both were designed and built successfully and our Clients were very happy with the outcomes.

What is the most pleasing aspect of your job?

As Architects, our clients present us with both the challenge and opportunity to help make their homes a better place to live in. Many of our clients will not have been on this journey before and we take that responsibility seriously. There is also nothing better than standing in a completed project that has achieved what the client was looking for at the start of the process and hopefully a little bit more.