The practice

Seven of us in a converted dairy at Nyland, under the Mendip edge. We started in 2015 with one barn above Priddy and have kept the practice small on purpose, so the person who draws your house is the one who sits in the planning meeting.

Isla and Rob at the studio table over drawings and a card model
Isla Hunnel in the studio

Isla Hunnel

Founder, director

Isla set up Hunnel in 2015 after ten years in Bristol practices. She leads the new-build work and every planning application, and she will be the one walking your site first. Passivhaus designer, RIBA South West juror in 2023.

Rob Feltham leaning on the studio table

Rob Feltham

Director since 2021

Rob grew up in Wedmore and joined in 2017 from a timber-frame engineer. He runs the extensions and conversions and looks after jobs on site, so he is the one who answers when the builder rings.

The rest of the studio

Three architects, an assistant on their Part 2 year and the studio manager who keeps it all moving.

Architect
Tom Rees
Architect
Priya Shah
Architect
Hannah Vowles
Part 2 assistant
Joe Marsh
Studio manager
Kate Dunn
A card model of Sideling Fields on the studio table beside plan drawings
Card model of Sideling Fields on the studio table

The dairy at Nyland

We converted the old dairy in 2018, keeping the stone and adding one larch room with a big window towards the Levels. Clients come here first. The models are out on the table, the kettle is on, and you can see half our projects from the yard.

Recognition and collaborators

Accreditation
RIBA Chartered Practice
Registration
All architects ARB registered
Passivhaus
Passivhaus Trust member since 2020
Award
RIBA South West Award 2025, Quarry House
Shortlisted
RIBA South West 2023, Black Barn
Press
Quarry House in a national homes magazine, 2025
Builders
Pearce and Hale, Wells
Builders
Tor Joinery and Build, Glastonbury
Structures
Mendip Structures
Landscape
Sarah Coombe Landscapes
Passivhaus
Levels Energy Consultants
Photography
James Corrie, Bristol

Thinking about building in the Mendips? Start with a site visit.

Or call 01934 742 118

Thank you. Isla or Rob will ring you within two working days.