Group Ginger deliver memorable and enjoyable places that enhance the lives of those who experience them. We work with progressive clients who want to create positive social impact. Integrity, sustainability in the widest sense and a focus on people is at the heart of our work.
Group Ginger deliver memorable and enjoyable places that enhance the lives of those who experience them. We work with progressive clients who want to create positive social impact. Integrity, sustainability in the widest sense and a focus on people is at the heart of our work.
Since 2015 we have developed a reputation for ingenious and efficient designs across a range of sectors - buildings that have delighted their users and won awards in equal measure.
The thread that runs through our projects is an approach rather than a house style. Our work is practical, design-led, and clear. We study the distinct characteristics of places and cultural settings to better understand the context and potential future life of our clients' buildings. This often leads us to creative and unconventional design ideas that challenge the status quo.
Many of our projects involve retrofit or adaptive re-use of listed heritage assets, inventively transforming these ‘sleeping beauties’ so that they can continue to serve their communities for generations to come. We thrive on the challenges of unlocking the constraints typical of these radical re-use projects. We are skilled in resolving the tension between conservation and practicality, delivering flexible and economical buildings that meet the client’s brief, ensure sustainability, and above all, serve their users well.
People
Simon Baker founded Group Ginger Architects to provide a distinct design studio focused on place and identity. With over 25 years of experience, Simon has led numerous high-profile projects, specialising in cultural heritage. His strategic approach, addresses complexity and community, raising design aspirations to unlock value. Simon has contributed as a Design Council CABE Building Environment Expert, a Design Review Panellist, and the RIBA Yorkshire regional chair. Simon is a Masters-level lecturer at Sheffield University and regularly publishes his work.
Mai is a qualified architect in Japan with over 16 years of experience in the UK. She plays a vital role in Group Ginger, co-leading the studio with Simon Baker and focusing on design leadership, project management, and business development. Mai specialises in large scale projects, heritage conservation, and cultural arts. She is highly skilled in the use of Intelligent Models for design and construction. Mai oversees quality control management to maintain consistency within the studio.
Samantha is a qualified architect, with a keen interest in finding the balance between contemporary design and historic fabric. She values the role heritage assets can have in establishing community identity and placemaking. Samantha's passion lies in creating thoughtful spaces for clients and end-users to enjoy. She graduated from Nottingham and Sheffield Schools of Architecture. She has worked in multidisciplinary practices and gained broad project experience across all stages and scales of projects.
Alex joined Group Ginger after working at Grimshaw on major masterplan projects. This gave him diverse experience, from designing communities to delivering construction packages for large-scale sports and leisure projects. Alex graduated from the Newcastle School of Architecture in 2019, focusing on the alternative history of modernism in 1930s Britain. He has collaborated with private galleries and organizations, utilizing his architectural photography and filmmaking skills to create exhibitions and public tours.
Samyak is a passionate designer who enjoys working closely and cohesively with his colleagues to produce high-quality work across all stages of a project. He graduated from the Manchester School of Architecture in 2023, focussing on using adaptive reuse to preserve the cultural memory of post-independence modernist architecture in India. Driven by a deep enthusiasm for his craft, Samyak is always eager to learn and develop new skills on the job.
Milena joined Group Ginger after completing her Part 1 at Sheffield School of Architecture. During her studies in Sheffield, Milena was interested in the topics of community building and placemaking, which she addressed in her final project of a cultural centre / greenhouse. In her work, she explores different methods of visual representation combining traditional and digital media to create atmospheric images.
Steph, an enthusiastic and inquisitive architecture student, is currently pursuing her master’s in architecture at the Sheffield School of Architecture. She seamlessly combines her academic pursuit with practical experience, bringing her enthusiasm to support the team. Steph is keen to learn, highly adaptable, and a superb team player, thereby contributing significantly to the office while gaining valuable industry knowledge.
Tara is an communications and strategy specialist with a keen interest in social purpose. At Group Ginger she supports the studio on brand strategy, marketing, communications, business development, and bid management. Having previously held Head of Marketing and Business Development roles at two Stirling Prize-winning practices, she plays a vital role in the studio’s growth, making sure activities align with our organisational purpose with impactful campaigns aimed at nurturing the growth and success of Group Ginger.
Pocket Book 01
"I, the undersigned declare that having read this little book full of ideas, design, intelligence, describing places you want to spend time; have no excuse , not to explore a projects potential with Group Ginger.
Group Ginger
Group ginger is a practice of architects. Our name derives from the political term, a ginger group. Ginger groups work to identify alternative ideas for the benefit of their host. As such Group Ginger works with clients to identify opportunities which amplify development potential and celebrate activity.
