Sophie El Nimr

Sophie is an architect with experience in housing and masterplanning projects for public and private sector clients in London, Dublin, and Zurich.

Before joining the Autumn Cohort 2023, Sophie worked at Karakusevic Carson Architects on public housing schemes in London and Henry J Lyons on the residential phases of Adamstown District Centre in Ireland.

Alongside her practice, Sophie is currently completing a part-time masters in Cities at Central Saint Martins, where she critically reflects on city-making conventions. Her research focuses on fostering long-term thinking in engagement practices by using dialogue and narrative as tools to organise and establish a slower relationship with time. Sophie is passionate about creating sustainable and thoughtful urban environments.

London Borough of Havering

As part of our Autumn Cohort 2023, Sophie’s role involved providing design advice on strategic planning applications, developing policy guidance, and contributing to council-led development projects at the London Borough of Havering. She led an urban design proof of evidence for a public inquiry, organised a CPD talk on retrofitting low-rise flats, and provided input on urban design for the emerging Characterisation Study and Masterplan for Romford Town Centre. Sophie also presented an urban design training session for Councillors, prepared briefing notes for major applications to the Havering Quality Review Panel, and successfully secured a CIL Bid for the River Rom Restoration Feasibility Strategy. As part of this, she coordinated weekly design surgeries for minor applications and participated in pre-application meetings, offering design recommendations and feedback.