Practice
Saer are a team of architects based in Conwy, with projects covering North Wales and North West England. We have over 30 years combined experience working in housing, regeneration, refurbishments, agricultural, education, and masterplanning.
We have a strong passion for sustainable and community led design, with our buildings being contemporary yet complimentary to local surrounding features.
We enjoy the challenge of working on projects of varying sizes, from domestic extensions, to community centres, education and housing masterplans.
I would like Saer Architects to become known for our ability to listen carefully to our clients and fully understand their needs, before delivering quality, sensitive, innovative design solutions that are beautiful, exceed expectation and are deeply rooted into their respective communities. A collaborative approach is fundamental; we will work closely with our clients and wider project teams to deliver projects that are individual, sustainable and functional whilst aiming to enhance people’s lives and experiences.
In addition, we will look to minimise the environmental impact of our work, promoting low and zero carbon design solutions to our clients whilst continually evaluating our own business operations to reduce our carbon impact as much as possible.
Sarah Ellen Davies
Architect - Director
Sarah joined Saer in 2022 following 17 years working in North Wales at Ainsley Gommon Architects, most recently as an Associate, and where she previously worked with both Gethin and David. Having studied at the University of Bath and Oxford Brookes University, Sarah qualified as an Architect in 2011 and has gained a wide range of experience leading projects across Wales. As a design orientated Architect, Sarah’s experience varies from small housing developments to multi-million pound education, community and refurbishment schemes.
Sarah is keen to promote the low / zero carbon agenda and is a Certified Passivhaus Designer whilst also having a Masters Degree in Sustainable Building from Oxford Brookes University. She is a Council Member for the North Wales Society of Architects and has been attending Welsh language lessons with Dysgu Cymraeg and Coleg Cambria for over four years.
Gethin Wyn Jones
Architect - Director
Gethin qualified as an Architect in 2011 after completing his Part 2 at The Welsh School of Architecture, whilst working at Ainsley Gommon Architects. After 12 years with the practice and becoming Associate, Gethin set up Saer Architects in his hometown of North Wales with David Parry in 2021. Gethin has a wide range of experience as Project Architect and Contract administrator over numerous projects, including masterplanning, both private and affordable residential development, extra care, and education.
Gethin is the Honorary Chair at the North Wales Society of Architects (NWSA) and leads the Events Committee, organising building visits and lecture series. He was selected to judge the Student Scholarship Award at the 2019 Eisteddfod after his involvement in curating an Exhibition of Architecture aimed to raise design awareness for exemplar buildings in Wales.
"My vision for Saer was to create a young, innovative and dynamic Practice in the heart of North Wales which aims to deliver high quality work but with the ethos of the 3 pillars of Sustainability;
Environment - Look to reduce carbon usage on all our construction projects and within the practice. Carbon offsetting will be key to the practice growth
Economic - Develop buildings with low running costs making them affordable for the end users.
Social - Create community enriched projects by working collaboratively with the client. Form a practice that provides flexibility and embraces creative thinking staff for the steady growth of the practice."
"I believe that people are the most important aspect of architecture, and that the built environment should be shaped to satisfy our needs in terms of health, well-being and enjoyment.
Creating a new, young, ambitious practice in the heart of North Wales allows me to have a greater connection with local communities, and to develop innovative and sustainable ways of living, working and playing.
At Saer Architects, I believe our own individual passions will help to shape our practice morals, as we strive to provide a high quality service for every client."
David James Parry
Architect - Director
David qualified from The Liverpool School of Architecture in 2013 and worked briefly in Liverpool and London as an Architectural Assistant. He returned home to North Wales and joined Ainsley Gommon Architects, where he qualified as an Architect in 2015 and gained his experience taking design lead on a number of multi-million pound schemes.
During his time at AGA, David worked on a variety of projects, which include masterplanning, urban design, social and private housing, and education. He has extensive experience in public consultations, Design Commission for Wales (DCfW) presentations and as Project Architect and Contract Administrator. In 2021, David and Gethin founded Saer Architects together.
David has been learning the Welsh language since 2017, with the aim of becoming fully fluent in his home/native language.
Mari Catrin Evans
Part 2 Architectural Assistant
Mari gained her BAHons in Architecture at Liverpool John Moores University in 2019. She then gained experience working in a North Wales practice for 2 years before going back to study her Masters of Architecture in Liverpool. Throughout her time in practice Mari has had experience working on a variety of projects which include social housing and extra care developments.
Mari joined Saer Architects in 2022 whilst studying for her Part 2 Masters Degree. Following completion of her degree she joined Saer full time in June 2023. She will be working towards her Part 3 and is keen to develop her skills and experience working alongside Sarah, Gethin and David. She was born and raised in North Wales and is a fluent Welsh Speaker.
"As an aspiring architect I believe that having a young and ambitious vision can drive innovative projects to benefit communities.
I am interested in architecture that generates strong social interaction, particularly the regeneration of urban areas, community-led projects, sustainable design and future proofing."
"After 7 years studying and working in Liverpool, I am eager to begin having an impact in my native region in a positive way. I am passionate in design that establishes a strong sense of community along with producing a sustainable built environment, that appears to be at the forefront in Welsh design and construction today. Providing an architecture that is both delicate to its context whilst being innovative in its spatial arrangement and materiality is key"
Molly Jones
Part 2 Architectural Assistant
After completing her BA Hons in Architecture at Liverpool John Moores University, Molly spent a year working in practice in Southport before returning to Liverpool to complete her Masters in Architecture. Following graduation she gained experience working in a Liverpool practice for a year before joining Saer in October 2023. Molly has experience working on a variety of projects including masterplanning, hotels, student accommodation, sports & leisure, housing and healthcare.
Molly is currently working towards her Part 3 qualification and is keen to develop new skills and knowledge to successfully qualify as an Architect and continue progressing with Saer. Molly grew up in North Wales and is a fluent Welsh speaker.
Trystan Jones
Part 1 Architectural Assistant
Following a period of work experience with us in 2022, Trystan joined Saer in August 2023 following completion of his BSc Hons Architectural degree at the Welsh School of Architecture in Cardiff. Born and raised in North Wales, Trystan is a native Welsh speaker and is passionate about creativity and practicality within architecture. He is skilled at both hand drawing and using a variety of computer software.
Trystan is looking forward to developing his architectural skills and getting involved with as many projects as he can during his placement year. Whilst working with us Trystan will be balancing his time to also undertake the first year of his Part 2 studies at the Welsh School of Architecture. He will return to university next year to complete the second year of his Masters course.
"The longing to be an architect has been with me since a young age, the ability to leave a legacy in the built environment and the potential to contribute to communities has been at the forefront of my mind - I now have the opportunity to improve wellbeing and create people orientated design.
I am interested in the advancement in building technologies in North Wales and how it can benefit local heritage in the current built environment."