Janna founded Grain Architecture in 2015, after completing her Part II Prof Dip in Architecture at the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT). She started Grain to to enable people to build with long-term environmental responsibility, and to focus on using natural materials, avoiding plastic and cement wherever possible. She also co-founded NBUK (Natural Building UK), and the Natural Materials group within ACAN (Architects Climate Action Network), with the aim to spread knowledge and resources to public & industry about the use of natural materials in construction. 

Janna is driven by the creativity of designing spaces and has been drawing houses since she was 6 years old. She's passionate about beautiful buildings and gardens, and excited by opportunities for making a positive impact on lives and landscape through architecture, land stewardship and rural community development. 

Andy joined the team in 2019 and in 2022 he became a Director. After Part I at Cambridge University, and Part II at CAT (Centre for Alternative Technology), Andy spent time working with a conservation architect and ran a straw bale self build. He worked on a number of freelance projects including a self-built, timber frame bungalow and worked with several small practices before joining Grain.

He qualified as an Architect in 2021 after completing his Part III with Bath University and shortly afterwards qualified as a Certified Passivhaus Designer on the AECB CarbonLite Course.

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Andy aims to design honest, highly sustainable buildings that are user friendly, healthy and simple to construct. He enjoys making interesting spaces filled with natural light.

Tom joined us in April 2023. Having completed his Part I at the University of Bath and Part II in Copenhagen, he qualified as an architect in 2019. He has worked in various architectural practices on a diverse range of projects in London, Bath and Copenhagen.

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Tom is passionate about the craft and the making of buildings with a particular interest in wood. Before joining Grain he spent a year learning carpentry in a Chestnut woodland in Sussex, where he helped to build two beautiful Sweet-chestnut cabins and designed a garden studio made of Douglas Fir, Sweet-chestnut and Cork.

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Currently based in Bristol, Tom is interested in integrating more natural materials and craft into the architecture of the city and bringing more of the natural world into our urban spaces.

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A keen cyclist, Tom wants to explore the world by bike, having cycled from London to Athens in 2021 and then to Lisbon in 2022, he is slowly making his way around Europe.

Jen has been working part-time with Grain since June 2021. She completed her Part I in Edinburgh and Part II at the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) whilst working for a small practice specialising in energy efficiency and community projects. This led to a job on and off site with a contractor where she worked on a number of different projects including Passivhaus standard houses, retrofits and barn restorations.

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After qualifying as an architect in 2012, Jen moved to Berlin for three years, where she worked as a ceramist, whilst also researching and visiting many of the numerous and diverse co-housing projects in the city.

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Jen believes in the importance and power of community and feels passionately that we can change the world from the bottom up. She loves being outside, on her bike, playing with her daughter and growing vegetables, and spends a day a week volunteering at a community garden.

Peggy is the 7 year old Tibetan Terrier who keeps us all in check. She tells us when it's time for lunch and when to stop work for the day. She also motivates us and de-stresses the office with her 'zen' vibe. She's a very clever dog with a Masters degree in Tricks and Office management, and is a real asset to the team. We're currently teaching her Vectorworks.