Architectural practice OBMI, founded in Bermuda in 1936, has opened a new office in London. Known for its work in Bermuda and the Middle East, OBMI aims to use its new London office as a base to grow its European business. The firm is targeting work in luxury resorts, high-end residential, and commercial developments. Luxury hotel projects in OBMI’s portfolio include the Royal Mansour Marrakech, Tazi Palace Hotel in Tangier, and St. Regis Bermuda.

Located in the heart of the city, OBMI’s London office will serve as a central hub for its European operations, providing the firm with a vital presence in one of the world’s most prolific and significant markets. Now, the firm has recruited a team of extraordinarily talented architects and interior designers to head up the London design studio. The London office strengthens OBMI’s footprint in Europe, acting as a hub for the region and allowing the firm to reach clients seeking trusted advisors with an understanding of the innate poetry of site-specific architectural briefs.

 

 

New hires to the London team include: Adiam Sertzu, Associate Design Director, is a British architect with 18 years of experience in design-led, multidisciplinary environments. Before joining OBMI, she was Design Director at AKTII, leading complex projects like Ghana’s National Cathedral and Red Sea resorts.

Kate Revyakina, Lead Designer, is an accomplished architect and designer with over 14 years of experience. She has worked on globally recognised projects such as the Morpheus Hotel in Macau, King Abdullah Financial District Metro Station, and Unicorn Island in China. She has held senior roles at Zaha Hadid Architects, PLP Architecture, and Henry J Lyons International.

Federica Sammarco, Interior Project Designer, is an experienced FF&E and Interior Designer specialising in high-end residential and hospitality projects across the UK, Middle East, and North America. She has led prestigious projects at Chelsea Barracks in London, and a Philadelphia hotel, consistently overseeing all project stages from concept to completion.

Portia Leung, Lead Interior Designer, has 18 years of global experience in high-end hospitality and residential projects. She has worked with prestigious brands such as Mandarin Oriental, Ritz Carlton, Hilton, and Sheraton. Her career spans top firms like HBA London, PAL Design Group, and Steve Leung Design Group.

Nelli Denisova, Project Design Architect, is a computational designer with a mechanical engineering background and five years of experience at Zaha Hadid Architects. She has led design development for international projects, including OPPO HQ, Danjiang Bridge, and Shenzhen Airport.

Wiktoria Kopycka, Lead Interior Designer, brings over 15 years of experience in interior design and architecture to OBMI’s London office. She has led significant global projects, including Hilton Hotels, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, Diriyah Gate Development, and the Expo 2020 Leadership Pavilion. Wiktoria specialises in hospitality design, collaborating with top brands such as Swissôtel, Fairmont, and Jumeirah.

 

With over 85 years of experience and an international portfolio, OBMI is best known for its signature approach to designing distinct, storied destinations and expertise in creating ultra-luxury hotels, bespoke residences, and vibrant leisure developments. OBMI is rooted in relentless attention to detail and immersion into the context of place, which leads to incomparable experiential designs that withstand the test of time.

Recognising OBMI’s arrival in Europe and expanding team in London, Tareq El Zayat, OBMI Principal & Board Member, says: “The opening of our London office represents a major step in OBMI’s vision of extending our world-class expertise to new markets. We see immense opportunity in the UK and Europe, where there is a growing demand for thoughtful, sustainable, and bespoke architectural solutions. Our presence in London allows us to be closer to our European clients and partners while bringing us a closer connection to potential collaborators and design leaders in the region.”

OBMI’s expansion into the London and wider European market comes at a time when the firm is scaling its operations globally, cultivating a team of both seasoned and rising luminaries in architecture. In conjunction with its new office opening, OBMI is actively growing its team of talented architects and designers, offering exciting career opportunities for those seeking international experience. The firm is currently hiring across multiple positions in London and encourages architects with a passion for innovative design to contact its Chief Human Resource Officer, Kelly Eaton, for more details at [email protected].

With deep local understanding and a diverse international team, OBMI delivers responsible, sustainable, and tailored projects that become part of the cultural mosaic of their locations. The firm’s specialist knowledge of geographic contexts sets it apart, allowing it to craft spaces that reflect the unique fabric of the culture, community, and history of each destination. OBMI’s projects distill a sense of place, creating experiences rich with narrative and cultural influence. For opportunities to collaborate with OBMI on the creation of storied places please contact Janice Mitten, OBMI Business Development Director, at [email protected].

OBMI London is situated at Chancery House, 53 – 64 Chancery Ln, London WC2A 1QS.