Gary's favourite (non-architectural) quotation is…
"The best advice I've received is to be yourself. The best artists do that."
Frank Gehry
Passive House (Passivhaus) Architects in Northern Ireland
After turning 18, Gary followed his passion for technical drawing and completed a three-year HND in Building Studies at his local technical college. Energised by the challenge of solving complex problems in creative ways, Gary moved to Hull to study architecture, gaining both his degree and master’s and graduating at the top of their class.
Gary completed Part III at Queen’s University Belfast, before returning to work as a newly qualified architect in Surrey, England.
In 2007, Gary moved to the south coast for life by the sea, spending the next 16 years working on a wide range of award-winning projects, including a winery, an SEN (Special Educational Needs) school, colleges, and apartments.
After years of practice in England, Gary returned home to Northern Ireland to establish Kelly Studio Architects, specialising in Passivhaus design. Every project is approached through a Passivhaus lens, pairing building physics with a design-led process that keeps architecture comfortable, efficient, and genuinely beautiful.
Alongside practice, Gary teaches part-time at South West College on the Passive House Designer and Tradesperson programmes, and also lectures on the ONC Level 2 Domestic Retrofit (EnerPHit) and the Open University Level 5 Foundation Degree in Building Services with Sustainable Energy.
Kelly Studio Architects is on a mission to show the next generation, as well as clients, that sustainable design does not have to be boring or “boxy”. Every day brings something new, whether that is on site with clients, in front of students, or deep in PHPP calculations!
Passive House skills are rapidly becoming essential across the construction sector as clients, regulators, and occupants demand high-performance buildings that genuinely perform as designed. From the perspective of a practising architect and part-time lecturer, the Passive House Designer and Tradesperson programmes are among the most impactful courses Gary teaches.
“Learners leave with practical, evidence-based skills they can bring straight to site or back to the office, translating into better internal comfort, lower energy use, and reduced energy bills for occupants. It is incredibly rewarding to see students and professionals grow in confidence and play a direct role in delivering higher quality, low-energy buildings across Northern Ireland and the cross-border region.”
Through building Gary’s own Passivhaus home, and through work with students and professionals in Ireland and abroad, Kelly Studio Architects has seen first-hand how powerful good Passivhaus training can be.
Outside of work, Gary is often in the Mourne Mountains or wandering through quiet hillsides, recharging in the open air. At home, Gary enjoys getting hands in the soil in the garden, and winding down at the end of the day with a refreshing drink, watching the sun drop below the horizon.
What’s in a name?
Kelly Studio Architects - why “Studio”?
I included the word "studio" to imply a more intimate, hands-on approach to design, fostering an environment where creativity can flourish.
“We believe that being design-led is crucial for developing modern and sustainable solutions to today’s architectural challenges. It allows us to prioritise creative and innovative design exploration over rigid, formulaic approaches, encouraging us all to think outside the box and challenge conventional wisdom. We promote Passive House / Passivhaus as an affordable and cost effective design solution that’s also kind to the planet.”
Our unique design approach not only leads to more distinctive and memorable architecture but also allows us to continually evolve our practice, adapting to new challenges and pushing the boundaries of sustainable design.
In the context of Passive House and sustainable architecture, this creative mindset is particularly valuable, as it enables us to find novel ways to integrate energy-efficient principles with amazing aesthetics and functionally superior designs.
What’s in a name?
SPACE · LIGHT · DELIGHT - our tagline
Picture this: you're standing in Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Família in Barcelona, or the last amazing building you visited, and suddenly, you're filled with awe. The space around you feels magical, sunlight dances through the colorful stained glass, and you can't help but smile. That's the kind of feeling we're after with every project!
“Space · Light · Delight” sums up our approach to architecture.
We craft spaces that aren't just rooms, but experiences. We play with light, making it dance and sparkle in ways that lift your spirits. And when these elements come together just right, they create a sense of delight - that "wow" moment that makes a house truly feel like home. It's about designing buildings that don't just look good on paper, but feel amazing to be in, bringing a touch of that Sagrada Familia magic to everyday life.
Education
Queens University of Belfast, Northern Ireland
RIBA Part III, Certificate in Professional Practice and Practical Experience, December 2004
University of Lincolnshire and Humberside, Hull School of Architecture, England
BArch Masters Architecture, June 2002
RIBA Silver Medal Award for Design Nomination, 2002
Postgraduate Diploma in Urban Design, June 2001
BA (Hons) Architecture, June 1999
UBIFHE, Portadown Campus, Northern lreland
HND Building Studies, June 1997
