The practice

Arka approach each project in a holistic way. Only by understanding the entire task, in its fullest sense, can a solution that delivers on all levels be attained.

Collaborating with you, the client, to refine and truly understand the ‘brief’ we fully engage with and appraise the project context to produce designs that add real value. Only by getting under the skin of a building’s character or the unique qualities of a new site can we as architects design and deliver solutions that respond to setting, structure and materiality.

At every level, from creating a sense of place, down to the craftsmanship of assembling individual materials, our skill is to make every decision count towards the realisation of a truly distinctive project.

At Arka we listen hard and think incisively, an approach that delivers both cost effective and elegantly resolved architectural solutions.

Adam Toleman

A graduate from the Mackintosh School of Architecture in Glasgow, Adam has over 25 years of architectural experience behind him.  He has worked as an architect all over the world including Paris, Taiwan, Los Angeles, Manchester and Glasgow, working on a wide range of projects from airports, large scale residential developments and offices to smaller scale domestic projects.

Having worked for a number of very different architects he set up his own practice, Arka Architects, in 2001.  The practice has grown steadily and now includes six staff members operating from an inspiring studio space in the loft of the Tattie Kirk, a listed former church building in Falkirk.

Whilst being firmly hands on in practice Adam has also maintained academic links teaching at Strathclyde University as a part time design tutor and more recently undertaking a second masters degree in low carbon building design at the University of Dundee.

Currently his focus is on the development of Arka Architects as a highly talented team of design professionals.  This has been recognised with a string of design awards for the high quality buildings produced by the team over the last few years.

Sandy Wilson

Sandy originally joined Arka from the University of Strathclyde in 2008, thereafter graduating with a first-class honours degree and completing his Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Architectural Design with Merit. Winner of several awards during his time as a student, Sandy’s final year thesis work was nominated for both of the prestigious national RIBA and RIAS silver medals.

Building on his previous academic success, Sandy is now an Associate at Arka, with over a decade of experience and expertise in numerous sectors and project types.

As well as an obvious design talent, Sandy is also an accomplished artist/illustrator and commonly produces a number of hand drawn images and models for a variety of projects within the practice.

Derek Milne

Derek graduated from the Edinburgh School of Architecture & Landscape Architecture (ESALA) at the University of Edinburgh in 2014. Having joined the Arka team in 2016, he is currently working his way towards achieving RIBA Part 2 Qualification.

With 2 years of previous public sector experience with a local authority, Derek brings his background knowledge of the planning system to the office and his devotion to creating places fit for modern living.

A hard worker with a passion for achieving high-quality architectural design, Derek prides himself on helping clients achieve their aspirations. He continues to gain experience and knowledge in a broad range of project types.

Callum Edgar

Completing his Masters in Advanced Architectural Design with distinction from the University of Strathclyde, Callum is working now towards his final RIBA Part 3 Qualification.  Working on a range of project types at Arka he continues to gain critical experience and a deeper understanding of key architectural practices, looking to deliver client-focused, detail-orientated and contemporary architecture. 

Outside of work, Callum has a keen interest in film theory bringing a keen eye to all types of project visualisations on several illustration software platforms.  

Callum also has community and charity experience having worked alongside a charitable organisation that raised over £3,000,000 to convert a disused local swimming pool into a cinema and arts centre. 

Blaine McManus

A graduate in Architectural Technology from Edinburgh Napier University in 2016.

Blaine joined the Arka team in 2021 and brings with him a wealth of practical experience in domestic and non-domestic projects. Blaine is currently working towards becoming a Chartered Architectural Technologist.

Blaine provides design & technical support on a variety of projects with an interest in masterplanning and social housing projects.  He has a very disciplined approach to the technical requirements of architectural design and a strong desire to learn through each project.