Meet the team

Architectural Assistant

RIBA Part II

Lucy joined Cottrell & Vermeulen in 2026.

She completed her RIBA Part I at The University of Sydney, graduating with distinction. After completing her Part I, Lucy worked at Make Architects in Sydney, contributing to a range of residential and commercial projects.

Lucy went on to complete her RIBA Part II at The University of Edinburgh, where she was nominated for University 3DReid Prize.

Since joining CVA, Lucy has worked on a new primary school for London Borough of Brent and is currently involved in the design of a new SEN boarding house and SEN short-stay unit for London Borough of Hounslow.
Lucy is fluent in English and Mandarin.

Lucy (Xinlei) Guo

Architect

MArch BArch (hons) - ARB

Anya joined Cottrell & Vermeulen in 2026.

Prior to joining CVA, she worked at IID Architects for four years — initially while completing her architectural studies, and subsequently for two years as a qualified architect. During her time there, Anya worked on school projects across all RIBA work stages, as well as a school campus masterplan.
Earlier in her career, Anya worked as an architectural assistant at AMA Chartered Architects between 2017–2018 and 2020–2021.
Anya studied architecture at the University of Nottingham, where she graduated with a First-Class Master’s degree.
Since joining CVA, she has been working as the project architect on the extensive redevelopment of a boatyard on the Thames in Southwark.

Anya Heath

Architectural Assistant

RIBA PART I

Matt joined Cottrell & Vermeulen in 2025, following a period of working and travelling in Australia. He completed his RIBA Part I at Newcastle University, graduating with First Class Honours.

Since joining the practice, Matt has been working on a decarbonisation project at Churchill College, Cambridge.

Matt Marshall

Architectural Assistant

RIBA PART II

Yasmine joined Cottrell & Vermeulen in 2022.

Yasmine studied for her RIBA Part I at University of Nottingham where she received a 2:1. Prior to joining the practice Yasmine worked at Apteriors as an FF&E designer on numerous school buildings. Since joining the practice, Yasmine as a part 1 architectural assistant has worked on a new Hindu temple in Harrow, a new school library in Southwark and a renovation project for a boatyard located along the river Thames.

Following her part 1 placement she went on to complete her master’s at Loughborough University graduating with a first-class degree and returning to Cottrell and Vermeulen as a part 2 architectural assistant.

Yasmine is fluent in English and Kabyle.

Yasmine Dahim

Architectural Assistant

MArch AA Diploma RIBA PART II

Romain joined Cottrell & Vermeulen in 2023. Prior to this, he worked at Mahoco Design as a RIBA Part II architectural assistant and worked with Squire & Partners during his RIBA Part I internship in 2019/2020.

Romain completed his degree in architecture at the Architectural Association

Since joining CVA Romain has been working on new boarding accommodation building for Brentwood School.

Romain Rihouet

Dilys

Architect

BSc MArch (hons) - ARB

Markos joined Cottrell & Vermeulen in 2021. Prior to joining the practice, Markos assisted on a number of educational and housing projects at Childs & Sulzmann Architects as a Part 1 architectural assistant. He also spent some time at his parents’ studio in Cyprus, helping with management and administration.

Markos studied for his RIBA Part I and RIBA Part II at University of Bath, where he graduated with a first-class honours. Markos is a certified Passive house Designer.

Since joining Cottrell & Vermeulen, Markos has worked extensively on a new boarding house for Brentwood School. He has since also been involved in the delivery of a new classroom block extension for Brentwood School.

Markos Spyrides

Associate

BA (Hons) Dip. Arch RIBA

Maria Westerståhl

Associate

BSc (Hons) AA Dip Architect

Jonathan Dawes

Architect

MArch PGCert ARB, RIBA Part III

Samantha Harrison

Director

B. Arch (UCT) RIBA

Brian Vermeulen

Director

BSc (Hons) Dip. Arch RIBA

Richard Cottrell

Director

MA (Hons) Dip. Arch RIBA

Simon Tucker