Studio

Mountain Fold is a UK-based contemporary architecture practice committed to designing environmentally sustainable residential and public architecture. We are based in East Sussex with experience in residential and public architecture across the UK, Europe, and the Caribbean, both new build and extension / retrofit.

The name Mountain Fold comes from origami and reflects both a keen interest in mathematics and craft, and the outdoors. We are enthusiastic about integrating traditional building crafts into modern design and aim to provide sensitive, considered designs which are part of the landscape rather than separate from it. The approach we take is consistent, but the resulting buildings are tailored to their brief and site. We work closely with our clients to find an appropriate solution that fits with a projects budget.

Sustainability is at the heart of what we do and we look to reduce a building’s carbon footprint through both construction and operation by considered use of materials and Passivhaus design. We offer consultancy services to building owners and other professionals on low-energy construction and Passivhaus design.

Contact us today to see how we can help.

Accreditations: RIBA Chartered Practice, Architects Registration Board (ARB), Certified Passive House Designer
Accreditations: RIBA Chartered Practice, Architects Registration Board (ARB), Certified Passive House Designer

Matthew Barrass, director

BSc (Hons) MArch ARB RIBA

Matt is an RIBA Chartered Architect and founding director of Mountain Fold. He grew up in Hampshire, studying at the Winchester School of Art and Design before going on to study architecture at the University of Bath. After graduating he worked at the award-winning practices Ushida Findlay Architects in London and Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios in Bath. During his seven years at FCBS he delivered several projects in the schools and higher education sectors, including as project architect the Plymouth School of Creative Arts (‘the Red House’), shortlisted in 2016 for AJ100 Building of the Year. Other projects included new-build residential schemes and the Manchester Metropolitan University Student Union.

After FCBS he moved on to Coast Architects in the beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands in the British West Indies. As Associate he worked closely with clients to design and build a number of high-end residential and hotel projects on several Caribbean islands.

Matt is a Certified Passive House Designer and is passionate about sustainable and low-energy design, and has been involved in research into predicting and monitoring the energy use in buildings. In 2017 Matt earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics.

Matt Barrass