Our People

Neil Stephen

Founder & Director | Skye Studio

Neil co-founded Dualchas with his twin brother Alasdair in 1996, with the ambition of creating a contemporary architecture rooted in the landscape, culture and building traditions of the Highlands. A graduate of the Mackintosh School of Architecture, his early research into Highland housing helped establish principles that continue to underpin the practice today.

As Design Director, Neil leads and reviews projects across the practice, with a particular focus on design quality, context and the relationship between buildings and landscape. His work includes the RIAS Award-winning Boreraig house and numerous residential, tourism and development projects across Scotland and further afield.

Over nearly 30 years, Neil has helped establish Dualchas as an influential voice in contemporary rural architecture. The practice’s work is held and exhibited by the National Museum of Scotland and V&A Dundee, and in 2023 Dualchas became the first Scottish practice invited to exhibit in the Arsenale at the Venice Architecture Biennale.

Alasdair Stephen

Founder & Director | Glasgow Studio

Alasdair co-founded Dualchas with his twin brother Neil in 1996. A graduate of Strathclyde University, his early research explored the relationship between housing, culture and rural communities, questioning why contemporary development in the Highlands had become disconnected from the landscape and architectural traditions of the region.

That work helped shape Dualchas’s approach: learning from the simplicity, economy and environmental response of traditional Highland buildings without reproducing them stylistically. Alasdair subsequently co-founded sister company HebHomes, developing these principles into a range of architect-designed timber kit houses.

Alasdair continues to contribute to the strategic and design direction of Dualchas, with a particular interest in housing, affordability and how good architecture can support the long-term sustainability of rural communities.

Rory Flyn

Director | Skye Studio

Rory joined Dualchas in 2011 and became a Director in 2018. Originally from the Highlands and now based on Skye, he previously worked in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Gibraltar, gaining experience across public, education, arts and sports projects.

At Dualchas, Rory works across housing, community, cultural and commercial projects, alongside bespoke houses throughout Scotland and further afield. He has led major projects including the Highland Cinema in Fort William, housing for Wildland in Tongue and Dualchas’s installation at the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale.

Rory is also actively involved in community and sports development on Skye, bringing extensive experience of community-led projects and collaborative working to the practice.

Laura Stephen

Senior Architect | Skye Studio

Laura is a Senior Architect at Dualchas and has played a significant role in the design and delivery of some of the practice’s most recognised houses on Skye.

She was Project Architect for the Black House, which won an RIAS Award and was shortlisted for the RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award. Her work is characterised by a close response to landscape and topography, creating buildings that sit quietly within sensitive settings while offering distinctive spatial experiences.

Laura continues to work across residential projects, with a particular interest in interiors, materials and the relationship between buildings and landscape. Her own family home on Skye, designed with Neil Stephen, explores natural materials including clay block, clay plaster and exposed cross-laminated timber.

Ian Hall

Senior Architect | Skye Studio

Ian is an experienced architect, design lead and project manager, with particular expertise in complex projects involving multiple stakeholders.

At Dualchas, he works across all stages of design and delivery, with a particular focus on community, education and housing projects. He has extensive knowledge of Scottish Building Standards, planning and CDM, and regularly acts as lead consultant and Principal Designer.

Before joining Dualchas, Ian founded a social enterprise in Malaysia working across sustainable development, tourism and education. His wider interests in environmental design, outdoor access and community projects continue to inform his work.

Sophie Rowland

Studio Director | Glasgow Studio

Sophie leads Dualchas’s Glasgow studio and is an experienced project architect with a background spanning residential, commercial, education and major public projects. Before joining Dualchas, she worked with several leading Glasgow practices including Michael Laird Architects, Reiach & Hall, JM Architects and Sheppard Robson.

She has responsibility for overseeing all projects across the west coast and central Scotland, and further afield. Sophie has considerable experience in both new build and refurbishment private housing, as well as low-impact tourism development. She brings creativity, passion and practical know-how to every project she works on.

Outside of Dualchas, Sophie is a qualified yoga teacher. She loves travelling to far flung places to deepen and expand her yoga practice. When back in Scotland, she is oftentimes found visiting wild saunas and swimming in lochs.

Marcus O’Connell

Architect | Skye Studio

Marcus joined Dualchas in 2019, bringing experience from practices in Scotland, England, Switzerland, the UAE and Kenya. He previously spent four years with Allies and Morrison in London, working on major arts, cultural and commercial projects.

At Dualchas, Marcus works across residential, tourism, manufacturing and arts projects, with a particular interest in carefully detailed, site-sensitive architecture and taking projects from concept through to completion.

Marcus is also an active member of Skye Mountain Rescue Team and Secretary of the Highlands and Islands Architectural Association.

Hania Nicol

Architect | Glasgow Studio

Hania works across residential and other projects throughout Scotland.

At Dualchas, she contributes across the design process, from feasibility and planning through to detailed design and delivery, working with clients, consultants and the wider project team to develop clear, site-specific architectural solutions.

Sinéad MacMahon

Architect | Glasgow Studio

Sinéad qualified as an architect in 2017, having studied at the Mackintosh School of Architecture, Glasgow School of Art, including a period at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm.

Before joining Dualchas, she worked at JM Architects on housing, visitor centre and community projects. Her experience spans design, planning and technical development across new-build and existing buildings.

At Dualchas, Sinéad works across residential and renovation projects, including new houses at Lochgoilhead, Taynuilt, Kinlochard and Carrick Castle, and the renovation of Duncroisk in Perthshire.

Erin Durno-Seymour

Architect | Skye Studio

Erin has experience across residential and commercial architecture from initial concept through to construction and handover. Before joining Dualchas, she worked with design-led practices in Edinburgh and gained international experience in Paris and Ljubljana.

Her previous work included leading both large and small projects, including a major mixed-tenure residential development, and coordinating consultant teams through complex planning and technical stages.

At Dualchas, Erin works across residential and rural projects, combining a strong design approach with experience of planning, technical development and project delivery.

Alastair Cassell

Architect | Glasgow Studio

Alastair spent almost a decade with Hoskins Architects before joining Dualchas, working on major cultural, healthcare and public projects including the Scottish National Gallery and a series of new health and community centres across Scotland.

His experience spans concept design, planning, technical design and construction, with a strong understanding of statutory processes, contract administration and BIM. He also has a particular interest in sustainable design and was part of Hoskins Architects’ sustainability group.

At Dualchas, Alastair works across residential and rural projects, bringing experience of complex project delivery and carefully detailed contemporary architecture to the Glasgow team.

Ryan Lawlor

Architect | Skye Studio

Ryan joined Dualchas in 2025 as an Architect, following more than ten years in practice in Manchester. He studied at Leeds School of Architecture and qualified in 2018, gaining experience across residential, cultural, heritage and community projects from concept through to completion.

His previous work includes The Whitaker Museum & Art Gallery, Newtown Mill Redevelopment and Rawtenstall Market in Lancashire, with a particular focus on existing buildings and projects rooted in their community and heritage.

Based on Skye, Ryan has a particular interest in the early stages of design and in how contemporary architecture can respond to landscape, climate and the character of place.

Jack Finnan

Senior Technologist | Skye Studio

Jack joined Dualchas in 2018 after studying Architectural Technology in Brighton and working in architectural practices in London, predominantly on residential, community and education projects. His studies included a particular focus on the low-carbon refurbishment of listed buildings.

At Dualchas, Jack works across all stages of design and construction, combining technical expertise with extensive experience of project delivery. His projects include the Highland Cinema in Fort William and the conversion of Ord Steading on Skye into a family home.

Sharon Clayton

Finance Manager | Skye and Glasgow Studio

Sharon joined Dualchas in 2011 after moving from Lancashire to Skye. She previously worked for a construction cost and project management company in Manchester.

At Dualchas, Sharon manages the practice’s accounting and finances and plays a key role in the day-to-day running of the business.

Angela Milne

Senior Administrator | Skye and Glasgow Studio

Angela supports the day-to-day operation of Dualchas across the Skye and Glasgow studios, working closely with the directors and architectural team.

Her role spans project administration, office management, finance and client enquiries, providing continuity across the practice and coordinating the administrative requirements behind the delivery of projects.

Katie McInnes

Social Media Curator

Katie manages Dualchas’s social media, curating photography, film and project stories to communicate the practice’s work and design approach to a wider audience.

A graduate of the Glasgow School of Art with a BA (Hons) in Textile Design, Katie brings a strong visual sensibility to the role, working closely with the architectural team to present projects from design and construction through to completion.

Ed Varlow

Architectural Assistant | Skye Studio

Ed joined Dualchas after completing his Part 1 architecture degree at the University of Edinburgh, graduating with First Class honours. He was nominated for the 2025 AJ Student Prize and previously received the Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners Scholarship.

Before joining Dualchas, he gained practice experience with Adams + Sutherland in London. His interests span sustainability, ecology, materiality and the social role of architecture, with hand drawing and model making central to his design process.

At Dualchas, Ed supports projects from early design through planning and technical development, gaining direct experience of architecture in rural and island settings.