TRA Studio was formed by Tom Reynolds in 2000 to pursue the development of highly crafted, site-sensitive architectural space.

On arriving in the London from New Zealand in 1980 Tom spent his career being involved in high profile projects such as the new BRIT School in Croydon as well as the award winning Hillingdon Train Station in West London. He also gained valuable experience at the Renzo Piano Building Workshop in Genoa before returning to London in 1992 to set up Carter Reynolds with Howard Carter. Here he focused on projects in Primary Health Care and Education as well as many residential developments in and around the Carter Reynolds office in Islington.

Before leaving London for Dorset in 2000 he spent a year collaborating with Ushida Findlay where amongst other things he was instrumental in the competition winning Grafton Hall, also known as the ‘Starfish house’ in Cheshire.

Now living and working in the beautiful coastal town of Poole, Tom has built up an impressive body of work, mainly specialising in high end residential projects. However Tom is also driven by the understanding that architects not only serve their clients but also they have a responsibility to consider and look after the needs of the wider community. To this end TRA has been involved in many regeneration projects within BCP on schemes for social housing, cultural buildings, a sports centre, and also improvements to places within the public realm.

Tom worked with his friend and Poole’s most celebrated architect, the late Richard Horden, on several residential projects in the area, and also initiated a collaboration with Foster + Partners and Richard’s practice, Horden Cherry Lee on a new masterplan for the Arts University Bournemouth.

A strong commitment to the quality of every project is evident in TRA’s built work and the professional relationships that are formed within. Our clients often become our friends and engage us in repeat projects and pass on their referrals and recommendations to new clients. Nearly all our work arrives to us via referral.

Evolution of the design through an iterative process through to construction is an integral part of our design ethos. We begin with listening to our clients and understanding their ultimate wishes for their project. A series of measured responses emerge after careful consideration and reflection of the matters in hand. Emerging designs are influenced by vernacular traditions drawn from the culture of the place in which the project is to be built. These traditions impart wisdom to the building’s materiality, formal massing and most importantly, provide an overriding common-sense view of building in the most appropriate way.