STUDIO
Founded in 2017 by Paul Duffy, BetterPAD began as a one-man operation focused on small properties in London. Over time, the company has grown to a team of four and we have expanded our services to encompass a wider range of house types and geographical areas. However, the core mission remains unchanged: to improve people’s homes.
Today, Paul remains as the lead of the company, and the Design Director. He is supported by Irkus and Nadia, who are very talented Project Architects, and Rose as our Operations Manager. Beyond this, the team has very close relationships with a number of specialists who work in-house depending on the nature of our projects at any given time.
Paul Duffy
Founder, Design Director
Before establishing his own studio, Paul cultivated a diverse professional background. He honed his skills in studios ranging from small to large, in Geneva, Sydney, and New York, before returning home to London. Here, Paul worked for a small practice in Richmond for several years, and then at RPP, a much larger firm where he was the project architect on a high-end, 40-unit residential development in Covent Garden.
In 2012, Paul joined the board of trustees of a small humanitarian architecture studio called Orkidstudio, where he served for two years as the Volunteer Coordinator, and one of three architects leading an annual design and build project. In this time Paul travelled to Zambia to help construct an extension to a primary school. An incredible and unforgettable experience.
Outside of work, Paul is passionate about fitness, and is currently weighing up another sub-4 hour marathon attempt!
Irkus Altuna
Project Architect
Irkus joined BetterPAD in 2021 as a project architect working on residential projects at all stages. From the early concept, through design development and construction, he has helped several clients create inspiring and comfortable homes.
Irkus studied in Spain and Italy and moved to the UK in 2014. After moving to the UK he worked in Periscope Studio and Urbanist Architecture before joining BetterPAD. He has worked in residential projects ranging from private housing refurbishments to small and medium-sized low-rise developments.
In another life, he toured internationally, stepping onto the stage over 200 times to play the saxophone and recording 5 studio albums. Now, he spends most of his holidays hiking around the UK and enjoying the outdoors
Nadia Grudinina
Project Architect
Nadia joined BetterPad in 2022 as a project architect working on all stages of projects, from concept through to construction on site. She has enjoyed working with private clients on their home transformations, taking them through options for the form of their new spaces and delving into the materials for the feel they want to achieve. She is currently working on a project nearing completion in Belgravia and concept designs in Woking.
Nadia spent six years studying at Bath, completing both her RIBA Part I and RIBA Part II degrees there. During this time she worked at three practices of varying sizes in Southampton, Bath and Paris. After completing her RIBA Part II degree in 2015, she moved to London and joined Apt where she worked on mixed use, residential and commercial developments across London, culminating in the delivery of a large student accommodation, office and Roman Wall exhibition scheme in the heart of the City of London.
Rose Horswill
Operations Manager
Rose joined BetterPAD in 2024 as Operations Manager and is responsible for the day-to-day smooth running of the team. Prior to joining BetterPAD, Rose spent 15 years in the Insurance industry, holding both client facing and back office operational roles.
Rose has enjoyed streamlining the architects' workflow by implementing systems and procedures that free up valuable time for them to focus on the creative design work.
Outside of work, Rose is a passionate foodie and has achieved the WSET Level 3 award in Wines.