Alessandro Caruso, ACA's co-founder, suffered an almost fatal motorbike crash in 1994 and spent 6 months confined to a hospital bed, in a miserable, noisy, clinical environment. Upon full recovery and grateful for the second chance, Alex was inspired and promised himself to improve any building environment for any user group, through his designs.
ACA is a design-led practice that promotes environmental and sustainable design.
Learning about our Clients' priorities and research is crucial to our design approach, which is based on continuous learning and innovation.
Family business caring is in ACA's DNA, which automatically showcases commitment and quality every step of the way. Our mantra is that good design is for everybody and does not have to cost the earth, literally.
ACA combines carefully-selected, like-minded, culturally diverse and talented people, offering their expertise and supporting each other to enable us to achieve global reach and local delivery.
ACA's mission is to create healthier and happier buildings for everybody.
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Originally from Sicily, Alex is a specialist consultant in Design for Dementia and has over 25 years of experience working in Spain, Italy and the UK in the Healthcare, Education, Commercial, Conservation and Residential sectors.
As a professional member of RIBA, MAPM, RMaPs and IHBC, he enjoys working with collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams, creating synergies. Alex's work really is his passion and he thrives at designing your brief and developing concept designs. His attention to detail is carried forward at every stage to ensure continuity and quality of design. Alex selects materials innovatively, whilst respecting the local environment.
Alex is also responsible for the management strategy and organic business development of ACA, developing and implementing strategies that enhance the Practice profile and expanding ACA's influence in the areas of specialism offered.
With a strong belief in sharing knowledge and best practice whenever possible, he attends many national and international conferences, conventions, colleges and universities, where he delivers his own presentations about his experiences and discovery within the industry.
If and when Alex has any downtime, he enjoys travelling and visiting places of architectural interest, cycling, going to the theatre and cinema.
Amelia graduated with a BA (Hons) in Law & Business in 1996. At the start of her career, she taught Business English in global companies and government ministries in Spain and Italy, where she mastered both languages. Over the years, she has accumulated extensive experience teaching adults in both public and private organisations in the UK and managed her own small business teaching Italian to adults.
As the wife of an Architect whose work is his hobby, it has been impossible not to become interested and involved in design and Amelia has always enjoyed contributing to many of Alex's projects and supporting Alex with bid writing. It made sense to create the fusion of two completely opposite, yet complementary individuals to form a company together and so ACA was set up.
Amelia's people and communication skills encourage an empathetic relationship with ACA's staff and Clients. Amelia's role is to ensure that the Practice runs smoothly on a day-to-day basis and she looks after ACA's finance, administration, business development and HR.
Amelia shares Alex's passion to develop the Practice and above all to ensure that ACA's Clients are well looked after.
In Amelia's spare time, she sings in a choir, studies classical singing, keeps fit and likes to read about and experiment with natural remedies.
Early career as a Prison Governor, first operational female into Wandsworth prison and youngest Governor of a male prison on transfer to the independent sector. MD of GSL (now G4S) prisons and immigration and advised on international development projects.
Changed career path to Secure mental health as MD for Priory and later Care UK. Lead the development of innovative rehabilitation services and a unique philosophy of care, always putting the service user at the very heart of the business. She was, twice, elected to Chair the Independent Mental Health Alliance and championed the cause of the sector and service users. Involved in Parliamentary Groups, Ministerial Advisory Groups and co- authored, "The Pursuit of Happiness, a new ambition for our Mental Health services in 2014".
Austin has over 16 years of experience within the construction health and safety sector working on Blue Chip projects in London and the South East including the Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel and several phases of St Bartholomew's Hospital redevelopment.
Currently a Technical Member of IOSH with associate membership of IIRSM and IEMA and with a broad range of training skills, he has a methodical and thorough work ethic with a fine attention to detail.
With a background in Law Enforcement, Safety has become a vocation rather than just another job and that passion is evident in his work.
Austin believes that all accidents are avoidable and strives to ensure that all projects start safely and finish the same way.
Austin has recently embarked on a fitness regime, regularly cycling in excess of 25 miles every weekend and enjoys long walks with his dog.
Richard has worked in the construction industry for over 20 years. He is a Chartered Technologist and Building Engineer with an in-depth understanding of design. With extensive experience in the education sector, Richard leads ACA's expansion in the education sector as well as overseeing the technical production to ensure build-ability of details reflecting any agreed changes to the Clients' requirements.
Richard likes to develop a good rapport with the Design and Construction Team through debates and brainstorming sessions to ensure the best possible solution is adopted. His attention to detail contributes to the quest for a fine balance between material cost, construction time and life-in-service for sustainable design solutions that are robust and low-maintenance.
His hobbies are mostly sports related, participating in both cricket and golf and watching anything else! Sport-wise Rich believes his mind is willing but his body is less able!
Federico works for ACA based in Sicily – lucky him! Initially, Federico came to work for ACA in Beverley as Architectural Assistant, in June 2014, on a 3-month work experience placement, funded by the European Union.
Thereafter, ACA was keen to keep him on and sponsored his training in Building Information Modelling (BIM) Software (REVIT), hence Federico's current role as BIM Co-ordinator.
Federico supports the delivery of architectural projects and design along with the implementation of BIM procedures at ACA.
Federico enjoys watching films, reading, a nice glass of quality wine with friends as well as playing chess and going for long walks.
Sani graduated with a BA Dual Honours in Architecture and Landscape Architecture. With her investigative approach, she is developing healthcare understanding to create welcoming, calming and sensory internal and external environments.
Sani works closely with the design team to achieve all-rounded design, using tactile and elegant components.
Sani loves travelling, sketching, reading and walking.
We pride ourselves in creating an office culture which is dynamic and creative, where innovation and individual initiative is embraced and encouraged at every level.
We are committed to thinking outside the box to provide unique design solutions for every project. If you are keen to make a contribution to the Practice's reputation and profile, why don't you join our open and friendly team, where our senior members of staff mentor and support career development.