Our team.
Cheryl Appleby
Director
‘A considered design approach allows for the ordinary to become the extraordinary.’
Cheryl, founding director of Studio HEDG Architects, (previously ApplebyBlanco) is a Chartered Architect and RIBA member. She studied at Leicester School of architecture, London Metropolitan School of Architecture, and The Architectural Association. In her free time she enjoys running and garden design.
Cheryl has a keen interest in connecting internal and external spaces, and believes that a building should be influenced by its context, and those who inhabit it.
Prior to founding the company Cheryl worked in both the private and commercial sectors, on a variety of projects ranging from office refits, gallery designs, to a commercial music studio and private residential projects. Whilst working at the award winning practices Glenn Howells, Ben Adams architects, Bradley Van Der Straeten Architects, and HAT Projects.
Recent years have allowed her to specialise in private residential projects, and explore the connection between external and external spaces.
Gemma Taylor
Project Runner
‘Carefully considered spaces and places enrich the quotidian’
Gemma joined Cheryl in early 2021 bringing over 14 years’ architectural experience working in both the UK and overseas.
After studying at the University of Cambridge, London Metropolitan University and the University of Westminster Gemma went on to work in London at a number of acclaimed practices; Mae Architects, Panter Hudspith Architects, Buschow Henley and Ben Adams Architects.
Following on from a stint volunteering with a construction-based NGO in Lima, Peru where Gemma gained hands on experience building cost-effective spaces for underprivileged communities, she then spent over seven years working for the award-winning Peruvian practice Vicca Verde on a wide range of projects from apartment buildings with green facades to a luxury Amazon river cruise boat.
Gemma also has a passion for shoe design, founding Taylor Made Peru in 2017 and has since released a series of collections of high heels.
Keen to feed her international experience and expertise into every project, Gemma enjoys bringing fresh perspectives and alternative points of view on projects both in the UK and in Peru.
Abdul Haji
Interior Designer
‘The best spaces are designed with their users in mind.’
Abdulrazak studied Interior Architecture at University of Westminster, in his free time Abdulrazak has a black belt in Karate and enjoys making personalised Jewelry, and bespoke furniture design.
Abdulrazak has a particular interest in how people interact with space and architecture on a human scale this in turn has fuelled his passion for architecture & interior design.
Prior to joining the company Abdulrazak has also worked in both private and commercial sectors, on a variety of projects ranging from Office fit outs, Café designs, Restaurants, and private residential projects.