Our Team

We are our team. Our people are passionate about architecture and we have together built up an established reputation for being good at what we do. We love our work and work hard to deliver high quality buildings and places that prosper all those connected with them.

The practice is led by two directors, the founding/design director, Paul Bulkeley who oversees design and the strategic direction of the practice and the technical director, Ben Chainey, who oversees project delivery and our quality assurance systems. Together they form a strong, well balanced leadership team with complimentary skills, character and strengths.

Our confidence is based on our collective experience, individual competence and commitment to tested principles and values. We would welcome the opportunity to work with you and believe you will enjoy working with us.

Please feel free to give us a call to discuss your project or pop in to our South Coast studio for a coffee.

Our Leadership Team

Paul Bulkeley

Paul Bulkeley

Design Director

Paul is the founder of Snug Architects and leads on design and the strategic direction of the practice. He has over 25 years of experience in Architecture and Urban Design, with an established reputation for award winning design, visionary thinking and the ability to engage stakeholders in a manner that engenders consensus. He is a visionary with an exceptional ability to see solutions where others might see challenges. He is a gifted communicator and recognized thought leader in the industry, having spoken internationally on design and business ethics. He also lectures in Architecture and Urban Design at Southampton University where he pioneered a civil engineering and architecture degree.

Paul is passionate about improving the built environment and has been active in design advocacy for many years. He has been Chair of both the RIBA South Planning Group and Winchester and Eastleigh Design Review Panel. During his career, Paul has worked with a range of clients, including local authorities, commercial developers, charities and private clients. He has a wealth of experience and is able to balance commercial sensibilities with design innovation, in a way that ensures progressive architecture is deliverable.

Paul provides design and management oversight of projects ensuring client objectives are achieved and design quality is maintained. He also leads on the culture of the practice and was delighted when Snug was selected as an RIBA Role Model Practice.

Paul is married and has four energetic children. When not designing he is most likely to be found either on his bike or out on the water.

Ben Chainey

Ben Chainey

Technical Director

Ben leads on the technical design at the practice. He has worked for over 20 years in the industry, initially within construction management/surveying, before moving into architecture. Ben’s extensive construction experience and knowledge enables him to champion the technical disciplines of the practice.

Ben has a sound knowledge of the building regulations and broad experience in construction detailing, specification and compliance. Many years of working with building contracts puts Ben in strong position to oversee and support the contract administration aspect of projects in the practice.

Previously carrying out the CDM Co-ordinator role, Ben now manages the Health & Safety aspects of the practice, overseeing Principal Designer appointments under CDM 2015.

Ben has a sound knowledge of the Party Wall Act and deals with all party wall matters in the practice, carrying out party wall surveyor services when required.

Ben’s methodical approach to tasks and attention to detail makes him a proficient manager of the finishing stages of a project.

Ben is a passionate rugby man and is found most weekends on a rugby pitch, where he is still playing for Winchester Rugby Club and also head coach for his son’s team.

“Having worked with Snug for over a decade I remain impressed by their consistent commitment and willingness to proactively deliver the best solution for their client. We have worked with Snug across all the project stages and the integrity of the Snug team has always impressed. They are good at what they do and we would wholeheartedly recommend them.”

Simon Broomfield, Regional Development Director, Lifestory

Architects, technologists & designers


Our team is passionate about architecture and commit to serve our clients wholeheartedly. We have a reputation for going the extra mile and do all we can to make sure every project is a success.

We are an eclectic bunch of architects, technologists and designers who celebrate our diversity. We enjoy working together and hope that you will enjoy working with us. We recognise that we are stronger together and that no individual can effectively deliver across the full range of skills required of a good architect. Together we provide a wide range of experience and expertise, developed over 20 years as a practice. We work well as a team, most of us having worked together for many of those years. We also enjoy collaborating with others and both lead and assist within multidisciplinary teams. Our confidence is based on our collective experience, individual competence and commitment. We would welcome the opportunity to explore working with you. Please feel free to give us a call or pop in to our South Coast studio for a coffee.