Magdalena Cheda // senior architect

Msc Eng Arch, ARB, RIBA, IARP

How LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AT JESSOP AND COOK ARCHITECTS AND WHAT PROJECTS DO YOU WORK ON?

I joined Jessop and Cook team in March 2021. A senior architect with many years’ experience covering a variety of projects for Oxford Colleges, including a new Academic Wing for Wolfson College, as well as commercial and private clients; I am currently working on a refurbishment of the Porter's Lodge for Exeter College, improving the accessibility and thermal efficiency in its Grade I listed setting. I am also involved in the new zero carbon Community Centre for Blackbird Leys for Oxford City Council, which is about to start with a series of public consultations.

WHAT SPECIFIC AREAS ARE YOU INTERESTED IN DEVELOPING WITHIN JESSOP AND COOK ARCHITECTS?

I enjoy working on a diverse range of projects and am especially interested in low energy design and how as architects we can influence positive change in response to the climate emergency. I am a strong advocate for retrofitting existing buildings to improve their energy efficiency (don’t get me started on breathability -I can talk about it for a while!)

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING IN YOUR SPARE TIME?

Outside of work, I occasionally indulge in a little bit of am-dram. I enjoy storytelling and have performed in a few improv shows, I was also a puppeteer in charge of Captain Flint (the Parrot) in Oxford Theatre Guild’s production of The Treasure Island (see if you can spot me behind the bird!) 

photo credit Simon Vail photography