OGU Architects was established in October 2014. OGU is a creative design practice run by Chris Upson and Rachel O’Grady, based in Belfast.

We approach each project with imagination and attention to detail. We are attentive, thorough and interested in the particular requirements of each of our clients.

Chris and Rachel have followed very different career paths within architecture, which is why the practice is unique in its approach to design. Their shared expertise in educational and public projects informs their concern for age-friendly, family-friendly spaces that are hard-working, flexible and future-proof.

Both Rachel and Chris have worked for design-led, highly regarded architecture practices in London. We both teach architecture at Queen's University Belfast, and believe that teaching is crucial to our work.

Chris Upson

B.Arch Dip.Arch PG.Dip ARB RIBA

Chris has worked for practices including Tim Ronalds Architects, where projects included performance spaces like Sevenoaks Performing Arts Centre and the refurbishment of the listed Ironmonger Row bath house. Chris also worked at Karakusevic Carson Architects on large scale housing and urban design, including Olympic legacy work in Hackney Wick. Since founding OGU, Chris has acted as Consultant to London Borough Tower Hamlets, designing nurseries, schools and public spaces. Chris worked for Hall Black Douglas in Belfast where completed, recently built projects include the refurbishment of a church in South Belfast, the refurbishment and major extension of a Cancer Centre in North Belfast, and the extension of Delamont House for the Education Authority on the banks of Strangford Lough. At HBD, Chris was Project Architect for several urban design projects including the Holywood Arches Masterplan and the Strabane Canal Basin Masterplan. Chris is a guest lecturer in architectural design at Queen’s University Belfast.

Dr Rachel O’Grady

MA(Cantab) Dip.Arch PhD

Rachel worked for respected London practices Penoyre + Prasad and Wright & Wright Architects before acting as a consultant to the urban regeneration charity CURE India, based in New Delhi. Running projects concerned with instigating community engagement within a large-scale, heritage-led regeneration project adjacent to the Taj Mahal, Rachel and CURE were awarded an Architecture sans Frontieres International Honorary Mention Award. Based on this work, Rachel completed a PhD focusing on participatory heritage projects at London Metropolitan University. She was lucky enough to be supervised by Prof. Maurice Mitchell and Peter Carl. For three years, Rachel worked with the research group Recomposing the City, which studies the improvement of sound in urban environments. Rachel now divides her time between OGU Architects and lecturing in architectural design and technology at Queen’s University Belfast.