Baily Garner Appoints Ross Pirie as London Studio Lead

Baily Garner, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ross Pirie as the new Studio Lead for its Eltham-based London studio. The move signals the practice’s continued commitment to design quality, innovation, and social impact in the built environment.

With a career spanning award-winning residential and commercial schemes, Ross brings deep sector expertise and a bold vision to his leadership role. His appointment is set to strengthen Baily Garner’s architectural identity, particularly in affordable housing, as the practice grows its profile as a high-quality, design-led studio.

“Architecture must be collaborative, socially conscious, and rooted in place,” says Ross. “Baily Garner’s multidisciplinary model — bringing architects, engineers, surveyors, and sustainability experts under one roof — offers a rare and exciting platform to deliver truly joined-up design solutions.”

Ross’ journey began in Aberdeenshire, gaining hands-on technical experience before moving to London in 2014. He honed his design philosophy at JTP (John Thompson & Partners), working across a wide spectrum of residential projects, from student accommodation to large-scale urban regeneration. At Apt (formerly Robin Partington & Partners), he delivered high-profile commercial workspaces, collaborating with other disciplines across the company.

In joining Baily Garner, Ross is inspired by the practice’s strong social mission and deep-rooted expertise in affordable housing. “There’s a sense of purpose in designing homes for those who may not otherwise have access to quality housing,” he notes. “We have a responsibility to deliver places people are proud to live in, architecture that elevates lives.” His vision aligns seamlessly with Baily Garner’s commitment to creating a positive impact on people and communities through thoughtful, inclusive design.

Sustainability is a defining priority for both Ross and the wider practice. At Baily Garner, sustainability is not a bolt-on; it’s embedded across disciplines and project stages. Ross brings hands-on experience from leading sustainability working groups, advocating for passive design strategies, early-stage embodied carbon assessments, and the intelligent use of innovative, low-impact materials. “Sustainability must be woven into the design narrative from day one,” he adds, echoing Baily Garner’s leadership in shaping a net-zero built environment.

He also sees huge potential in advancing the studio’s collaborative culture through people-first leadership, integrated workflows, and smart use of design technology. “We’re building a studio where ideas are shared, voices are heard, and high-quality design is the norm, not the exception,” he explains. With access to in-house specialists in engineering, surveying, sustainability, and digital innovation, Ross aims to foster an open and ambitious environment that empowers teams to do their best work.

Looking ahead, he hopes Baily Garner Architects will be recognised in its own right, not just as part of a multidisciplinary model. “I want us to be seen alongside the best studios delivering high-quality, affordable housing in the UK. That’s our benchmark.”

His message to young architects? “Be curious. Ask questions. Challenge assumptions. That’s how we create better places that delight and inspire.”

With Ross at the helm, Baily Garner’s London studio enters a new chapter — one focused on architectural integrity, technical excellence, and positive social impact.