DHVA combine award-winning contemporary design ability and attention to detail to help our clients create beautiful spaces tailored to their needs. We take on projects where we can help transform buildings through inspirational design, careful repair or strategic planning.
We are particularly experienced in the care and conservation of historic buildings, and we are adept at obtaining planning and listed building consent for sensitive sites. We have a lot of experience in grant funding bids and incorporating successful visitor and community engagement in public architectural projects.
DHVA offer all of the RIBA menu of services to suit every project. We have accreditation in building conservation (AABC), Passive House designer certification, and staff have experience in delivering BREEAM sustainable projects. We are members of The Green Register.
Oliver Forsyth
Senior Conservation Architect
Dip Arch RIBA AABC
Oliver studied and qualified at the Welsh School of Architecture in Cardiff. He is an accredited conservation architect (AABC) with a decade of experience with historic repair projects and new interventions within historic landscapes. Oliver is inspired by historic buildings and contemporary designs in sensitive contexts.
He has a growing depth of experience in building conservation and he brings a hands-on approach when delivering projects. Oliver's calm, patience and hard-working ethos is appreciated by clients and colleagues alike.
Elke Dittrich
Director
Dip Arch RIBA
Elke studied architecture at the Bauhaus University, Weimar and at the Technical University, Vienna, before moving to the UK in 1999. She worked for GMW, Pringle Brandon and Architecture PLB and qualified as a UK architect at the Architectural Association in 2001.
Elke co-founded Dittrich Hudson Architects in Bristol in 2005 and has been leading and managing the practice since. Elke has won several awards for her projects. She is also a panel member of Design West.
Izaak Hudson
Director
Dip Arch RIBA AABC
Izaak studied architecture at the University of Nottingham, Kingston University and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen and qualified as an architect in 2000.
Izaak is the cathedral architect for Salisbury, Truro and Llandaff cathedrals, and projects he has led have won numerous RIBA and RICS awards. He has expert conservation knowledge and a passion for design and imaginative public engagement through architectural project work. Izaak is an accredited conservation architect (AABC) and is a member of the Bristol Diocesan Advisory Committee and Bristol Cathedral Fabric Advisory Committee.
Federica Vasetti
Director
Dip Arch RIBA
Federica studied architecture at the University of Genoa, Italy and moved to the UK in 2000. She qualified as a UK architect at the University of Bath in 2002, and worked for Stride Treglown and Acanthus Ferguson Mann Architects on large school projects and complex residential developments before co-founding DHVA in 2010.
Federica's attention to detail and a hands-on approach enable her to preserve the integrity of the initial concept through to delivery on site. Federica is a certified Passive House Designer and has a specialism in low-energy building design.
Hugh Mitchell
Conservation Architect BArch, MArch
Hugh studied at The University of Liverpool School of Architecture, qualifying in 2018. An avid traveller, he moved to Canada and spent five years working as an architectural project manager on the renovation of the Canadian Houses of Parliament in Ottawa; one of the largest and mast complex heritage projects of its kind.
He returned to the UK in 2023 to work for DHVA as part of the heritage team and is currently studying part-time for his ARB qualification. When it is not raining. Hugh is out exploring Bristol on his rollerblades.
Dylan Jones
Architectural Assistant, BSC
Dylan joined DHV Architects in 2023 and is currently involved in the practice's residential and ecclesiastical projects. Prior to joining the practice, he gained experience at several design-led practices on placements in St Helier and Cardiff working on private residential and care projects.
He studied architecture at The Welsh School of Architecture in Cardiff, graduating in 2023. Dylan is interested in the process of improving and repairing historic fabric in sensitive contexts. Dylan enjoys cycling and playing tennis.