About
Portfolio Architects is a design focused architectural practice that exclusively works with small to medium sized property investors and developers to help them maximise the potential of their properties and sites through great design.
We pride ourselves in working collaboratively with our clients and in a timely and efficient manner to design schemes that consistently achieve the highest rents and GDV’s in their respective areas. We also strive to create homes that people love to live in which in turn maximises tenant retention and minimises void periods which is essential to the consistent long term performance of our client’s property portfolios.
We do things a little different!
When Chartered RIBA Architect Emma Smith with over a decade of experience started Portfolio Architects in 2017, she wanted to create an architectural practice that was high quality, time efficient and suited the exact needs of her client base.
As a property investor and landlord herself, Emma is uniquely positioned to help design led property investors as she understands all aspects (including the frustrations) of development projects, not just limited to the knowledge and experience of an architect. For example we understand the different property strategies, numbers, de-risking with multiple exit strategies and focus on how to add the maximum value to your project as cost effectively as possible. We have also built up significant experience in more ‘niche’ projects for Architects such as HMO conversions.
We are proud to be part of many design led investors power teams across the country
We genuinely enjoy and value building great working relationships with our growing and repeat property investor client base. So much so that in 2022, Emma made the decision to rebrand and solely focus on projects for design led property investors and no longer work on homeowner projects. We changed our name from Pedersen Smith Architects to Portfolio Architects and have refined our architectural services further to suit our property investor clients. Most notably being the launch of our brand new client portal which is perfect for our repeat clients having all the information for each project in one place and readily accessible (even on site) by logging in our website.
Founder & Director
Emma Smith BA(Hons) MArch P.Dip ARB RIBA
Emma’s passion for property began at a very young age having quite literally grown up on a building site as her parents self built their family home in the Midlands. At 13, Emma knew she wanted to become an Architect and subsequently attended the University of Liverpool for both her BA(Hons) Architecture degree and Master of Architecture Degree and later the University of Westminster for her Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Practice in Architecture where she achieved a distinction. Prior to Portfolio Architects, Emma worked as a Project Architect in Central London on multimillion pound private residential projects for PDP London and TFF Architects and then prior to this BHB Architects in the midlands.
Emma’s passion is turning unloved derelict properties into high quality, well designed homes with practical layouts through intelligent and efficient use of space. In addition to her client projects, Emma also undertakes her own property development projects (BTL’s, HMO’s and flips) and is a serial home renovator too. She is currently converting a derelict old threshing barn in the Midlands into her next home which she documents on her personal instagram @emmaspropertydiaries.
Outside of architecture and property, Emma is a mum of 1 who enjoys countryside living, long walks, going to the gym, spinning and spending time with her son, friends and family.
Awards:
• RIBA Journal's 'Rising Stars 2019' shortlist for entrepreneurial development and architecture.
• RIBA Silver President's medal nomination
• Sir Charles Reilly Medal for best thesis project, UoL
ARB Registration No: 087749B
RIBA Chartered Architect No: 20000344
