Founder’s Story | Part 2

Founder’s Story | Part 2

The History That Made PF+A

PF+A is a long-established architecture practice based within the Channel Islands, but we owe our reputation (and name) to the lifetime’s work of Peter Falla. Beginning the PF+A journey 30 years ago, it has been full of many amazing staff and clients along the way that has been central to our success. Looking back at the last three decades, we can see what happened to get us here: a family of like-minded people creating architecture to passionately enrich your life.


Moving back to Guernsey from the UK in 1985 as a site manager for the construction of the Novotel, Peter Falla soon fell back in love with the charm of the island (and his wife!) which saw the start of his architectural career and the first generation of PF+A. In 1990, working in a tiny office Pete started taking on small design projects as PB Falla Architectural and Project and with an expanding client base, soon took on his very first employee, Kenny Leadbeater. Throughout the years, Pete has remained loyal to his two fundamental laws of business: 


“Money is not important”

“Don’t try and control everything”


From then it was only upwards, merging with David Closs to become Closs Falla & Associates and moving to a new office on Kings Court for a couple of years before finally settling in Guelles Court where PF+A remains today. For many years the company enjoyed growth and was soon joined by John Hibbs and Alex Whitmore in the 1990s - Peter Falla’s right-hand-men. By 1997 the company was a competent and busy office, now under the name of Peter Falla + Associates with a growing portfolio and contacts with developers. 


“I stumbled along a bit like Forrest Gump but always seemed to land on my feet. However, the arrival of Alex Whitmore and John Hibbs modernised and transformed the company into the efficient and professional practice it is today.”


From owning all of PF+A, Pete recognised the worth of both John and Alex and gave them the opportunity to acquire a shareholding in the company. As a trio each with skills that complemented one another, the practice thrived under their leadership and later expanded to Jersey in 2016. Over the last year, PF+A have seen huge changes and welcomed many new and exciting faces to the team with a wealth of international experience. Setting our expectations high, we have recently stretched our architectural wings overseas to complete some exciting new projects.


As we look back and see the many notable projects that have been achieved, we are grateful to our talented team, without whom we could not have reached this point. As Peter Falla takes on his role as Founder, he remains integral to the major decisions and direction of the office, leaving all the everyday decisions to the CEO John Hibbs. Pete will always be at the heart of everything PF+A and we can’t wait to see what he’s going to do next. 


#pfalife

Contact

Guernsey Studio

Guelles Court
Guelles Lane
St Peter Port
Guernsey
GY1 2DD

9am - 5:30pm   |   01481 712633

contact@pfaarchitecture.com

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Ollie Muston MCIAT

E: ollie.muston@pfaarchitecture.com

T: 01481 712633

Having been educated and grown up in Guernsey and developing a passion for technical design work, information technology and an intrigue for building design and history during his GCSE years, Oliver decided to commence his career in 1999 as an Architectural Technologist with Lovell Ozanne one of the largest architectural practices in the Channel Islands,  During those first inspiring 9 years he gained his BTEC HNC qualification increasing his fundamental experience and developing his knowledge base by working on multi-million pound commercial and residential developments including, Mixed Use and Redevelopment Areas (MURA), offices, apartments and industrial units.  

Moving to the States of Guernsey’s Property Services Team in 2008, Oliver was able to learn invaluable working skills and practices, increasing his expanding skillset in tendering and contract administration, whilst having the opportunity to work on public buildings and the differing challenges brought about by these types of projects. These projects encompassed education premises, States buildings with high security requirements, projects at the airport and harbours and fully accessible health facilities.  Full Accessibility audits for the health facilities became a prominent project for Oliver as his career progressed and he carried out a number of audits and reports for substantial business within the Island.

Now with a total of 21 years’ experience within the industry, his expansive knowledge not only covers all areas of a very vast field, but includes all aspects of a project from inception right through to the final handover of a completed project; which, for Oliver is the most rewarding experience. 

Oliver’s exceptional wealth of knowledge has lead him to gain his chartership with the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists and was formally invited to become an Interview Assessor for the Institute in 2015, a position limited to only a small number and in which someone can only be invited by the Institute.  Oliver completed the necessary assessor training a few months later.  

Ever striving to continue growing and expanding his professional knowledge, Oliver is a driven member of PF+A and one of the top in his field. With his professional yet friendly approachable nature he is an individual able to facilitate and communicate to clients, contractors, sub-contractors and other third parties to ensure that a project is always the best it can be.  Internally an exceptional trainer to the less experienced members of the team with an ease of teaching methods to ensure an unseamingly level of continuity for their development.

In his spare time Oliver enjoys spending time with his young family of three daughters, experiencing travelling and cultural diversity and of course Guernsey’s beautiful outdoor environment.

Chloe Whitmore

E: chloe.whitmore@pfaarchitecture.com

T: 01481 712633

Chloe is the first point of contact in the Guernsey studio. She has moved from a career of more than 20 years in the legal profession to managing a creative environment and its people - a welcome change for her! Her experience and legal background are a great asset for the Group.