Award winning architects specialising in Cultural buildings & Museums, Urban Heritage conservation & sensitive site development.

Working with Historic Trusts, Local Authorities, Cultural Institutions & Communities across the UK, Ireland, Europe and the Middle East.

Nighttime view of a modern architectural building with cylindrical structures on top, glass-enclosed sections, and exterior lighting, situated by a body of water with reflections.

Boats docked in a harbor with colorful buildings and a clear blue sky in the background.

Harbor with docked boats in front of a row of buildings under a cloudy sky at sunset.

Digital illustration of a historic castle with stone walls, towers, and a bridge over water, with a town and church in the background, and an Irish flag flying on top of the towers.

A view of a historic stone castle with rounded towers, surrounded by a river. There is a stone bridge in the foreground with lamp posts and a few people walking across.

Architectural rendering of a modern building surrounded by trees and a foggy landscape, with a person in the foreground.

A lake with reflections, surrounded by green hills and mountains, with a cloudy sky. There is a bridge in the distance and a tall chimney or tower on the right side.

"We have worked with Galmstrup in the context of a multi million euro refurbishment of the interpretation of Athlone Castle. I have been struck by the freshness of thought that Galmstrup have brought to the project from day one. They challenge preconceptions and innovate new and inspiring solutions. They are working within extremely tight deadlines and are delivering excellent results."

Andrew Smith - Product Development Manager, Fáilte Ireland
“Galmstrup have an ability to see museums potential in modern society, and an extraordinary ability to run processes getting stakeholders working together towards common goals.”

— Lene Høst-Madsen, Director Museum Skanderborg
"I was very impressed with the quality of the work produced and in particular in the interactions with the communities, and would have no hesitation in engaging Galmstrup for similar roles in the future."

— Clea Warner, GM Islands & Highlands, National Trust for Scotland
“I’m mightily grateful, personally and on behalf of EHT, for the amount of enthusiasm and sheer hard work that the Galmstrup team have put into this project. I really do feel it’s in good hands.”

— Christine Bell, CEO Eyemouth Harbour Trust

Culture & Community

We work closely with clients and communities to refine briefs and develop projects to meet their specific needs. We look to add value to the places we work in and get the biggest possible impact for the end users. We work with local assets and materials to create buildings that are very site specific. Our community projects range from large venues to small initiatives, but all have shared values.

Museums & Culture

We design and deliver complex Museum and Cultural buildings in sensitive settings. We understand complex processes and deliver quality projects with a pragmatic mindset. We delivery projects from strategies, inception and ideation, to statutory processing and development of technical drawings and details ready for construction. We manage and coordinate the design team and work hand-in-glove with our clients, collaborators and contractors delivering on time and to budget.

Galmstrup_Athlone Castle_No01_Culture / Museum / Heritage / Community / Exhibition - Materiality

Heritage Planning

We initiate projects through engagement identifying core purpose and directions. We drive projects forward from ideas to implementation defining priorities and parameters, examine context conditions and shape narratives. We specialise in creating plans for urban and natural heritage sites, museums, creative districts. Our plans range from open-ended “what-if” concepts to detailed, multi-layered appraisals and proposals ensuring long-term sustainable places for and with people.

We work with

Black and white cartoon illustration of a person holding a large list, standing next to a person with a laptop, with a clock in the background

Close-up of a black and white butterfly perched on a white flower with a blurred background.

Black background with faint white specks resembling stars in the night sky.

How we do it

We are architects and masterplanners with a strong Scandinavian DNA. We are a RIBA Chartered Practice specialising in Museums & Cultural Heritage Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas, and Urban & Natural Heritage Planning.

We live by the Danish saying “hænderne i jorden” (hands in the earth). For us every project requires a new beginning, one where we go back to first principles, search out the essence of each place and people, culture and meaning, before we ever set pen to paper. We walk the ground, feel the weather and the natural world, sense the reality of life, meet with the people whose home, living, community and history it is. Our proposals emerge as direct responses to what and who is there.

We listen and engage with our clients, their culture, goals and communities. We design, develop and deliver projects centred around people and rooted in the narrative and meaning of a place. We are inspired by local cultures, methods and craftsmanship and seek solutions that help these thrive. We achieve pragmatic outcomes with a sensible approach and always together.

With over 20 years of international experience working on cultural projects as architects, planners and advisors, we are able to bring together and lead multidisciplinary design, consultancy and client teams, often in complex projects in sensitive settings with high-profile stakeholders. Our work centres around the civic sphere, varying in type and scale from designing and building museums, galleries, exhibitions and community centres, to the masterplanning of cultural heritage sites and entire wild natural landscapes.

Meet the Team

Anne Marie Galmstrup

MANAGING & CREATIVE DIRECTOR

DipArch (UCL) ARB RIBA RIAS ICOM AoU
Anne Marie is an architect and masterplanner specialising in cultural heritage, museums and sensitive site development, having delivered award-winning cultural projects on challenging sites in Denmark, Scotland and Ireland as well as Saudi Arabia, including: Eyemouth Pavilions, King John’s Castle and National Trust for Scotland Masterplans.
After graduating with distinction from UCL, Anne Marie was a Partner at Henning Larsen Architects, where she led major cultural project including the Massar Children’s Discovery Centre. In 2015, she founded Galmstrup Architects, focussing on projects where architecture, heritage and community intersect.   Her work ranges from masterplanning medieval castle sites in Ireland, community buildings in Scotland to designing contemporary museums within archaeological ruins in Saudi Arabia.
Anne Marie’s approach combines strategic thinking with deep site engagement.   True to the Danish saying ‘hænderne i jorden’ (hands in the earth), she believes every project requires walking the ground, understanding the community, and responding to the spirit of the place before design begins.
She is a jury member of the Obel Award, previous chair of International Museum Construction Congress (IMCC 2024), and a member of the International Council of Museums (ICOM).   Committed to inclusive practice, she founded the non-profit organisation “Imaginations Cross Cultures” which creates collaborative summer schools with young people. Anne Marie was invited as Academician to the Academy of Urbanism (AoU) in 2024.
Peter Maxwell

PROJECT DIRECTOR

DipArch (Edin) ARB RIBA MRTPI MRICS MCMI
Peter is qualified architect, town planner, and development surveyor. He brings over two decades of public sector client experience, including key member of the senior leadership team within the development directorate at the London Legacy Development Corporation. Here he served as Director of Design for 10 years, leading the masterplanning of over 5,000 homes, as well as new public spaces and infrastructure at the internationally renowned Olympic Park. 
He was the design client for Stratford Waterfront, which includes new facilities for Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London College of Fashion, BBC Studios, and V&A. Peter holds advisory appointments with the National Infrastructure Commission, Design Council, Harlow and Gilston Garden Town, and High-Speed Rail 2. He is a trustee of Design South East. His expertise spans design management, regeneration, housing, and transport.
His experience managing complex stakeholder relationships on high-profile projects complements Galmstrup’s culture and heritage work.
Claire McMenamin

SENIOR ARCHITECT
DipArch (UCD) ARB
Claire is a Senior Architect with over 14 years of experience specialising in cultural and community buildings within sensitive locations. She brings extensive technical expertise and a deep understanding of working within sensitive historic contexts, having successfully delivered complex architectural projects through all RIBA stages from concept to completion.
Claire graduated from University College Dublin with a Bachelor of Architecture and a Professional Diploma and is registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB). She combines a rigorous design and technical approach with sensitivity to site context, ensuring projects respect their setting while meeting contemporary performance standards.
Prior to joining Galmstrup, Claire worked at Níall McLaughlin Architects where she was project architect for the 2022 Stirling Prize winning Magdalene College Library in Cambridge. She also gained experience as Senior Design & Development Manager at Human Nature working on the sustainable neighbourhood 'The Phoenix', in Lewes – set out to be the largest bio-based development in the UK. She also worked on the Grade I listed Wilkens Building for University College London adding sensitive additions to improve accessibility.
Robin Cole-Hamilton

CULTURAL STRATEGY

FRSA
Robin is leading our cultural strategy focusing on organisational and institutional strategy, visitor experience, identity and communications. Robin draws on the practical experience of analysing, operating, leading and transforming cultural institutions over many years, including senior roles in London’s V&A, National Gallery and Science Museum.
Kazumi Koseko

PRACTICE MANAGER

ACCA
Kazumi is responsible for our day-to-day operation including Finance and HR. She brings 20+ years of experience in finance and office management from small architectural practices and charities. Her meticulous approach to practice operations provides the foundation to enable projects to run smoothly from inception to completion.
Clarissa Chua

ARCHITECT

DipArch (AA) ARB
Clarissa is a registered architect with comprehensive experience across residential, cultural, and heritage projects in UK and Europe. She has worked at leading practices including Lisa Shell Architects, PLP, and ADEPT in Copenhagen, gaining expertise across all RIBA stages, with a particular focus on delivery.
A graduate of the Architectural Association, Clarissa brings strong design thinking combined with technical rigour. Her experience encompasses listed and heritage settings, where she has developed her skills in balancing conservation requirements with contemporary architectural interventions. She is proficient coordinating with specialist consultants, and managing complex design processes, from planning submissions through tender and construction.
At Galmstrup, Clarissa has been working on Athlone Castle – a 13th Century Norman fortification and visitor centre in Ireland – developing the project from concept through technical design and tender. She has been responsible for both the base build and exhibition design packages and ensuring coordination between key conservation architects, exhibition designers, engineers and other key consultants. This work demonstrates her ability to manage technically complex heritage projects with multiple stakeholder requirements.
Phoebe Cowen

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER

MArch Architecture (Copenhagen)
Phoebe is a thoughtful designer with an international profile and passion for research-driven architecture. Her unique background – combining a BA (Hons) in History from University of Durham and with an MA in Architecture from the Royal Academy of Architecture in Copenhagen – brings valuable depth to Galmstrup’s project.
Prior to joining Galmstrup, Phoebe worked for several high-profile Danish practices, where she developed expertise in the Scandinavian approach to architecture – contextual sensitivity, the integration of landscape and building, and material honesty.
At Galmstrup, Phoebe has contributed to projects with the V&A and Crick Institute and several competitions.
Nela Andrieş

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER
MArch Architecture
Nela is an accomplished architectural designer with strong skills across design, technical delivery, and visualisation. With over six years of professional experience, she graduated from Ion Mincu University of Architecture and Urbanism in Bucharest, one of Romania’s leading architectural schools. Nela has developed strengths in 2D and 3D visualisation, with her design work demonstrating a sensitivity to context and materiality.
At Galmstrup, Nela has contributed to most recent projects, from competitions to commissions like King John’s Castle.
Mateusz Zwijacz

ARCHITECTURAL ASSISTANT
BA Architecture (Bartlett)
Mateusz is an architectural assistant brings excellent design and computational skills to Galmstrup. He has a passion for generative design, using tools to explore spatial relationships and create high quality visualisations.
Prior to joining Galmstrup, Mateusz worked at large scale international practices where he developed proficiency in advanced 3D modelling and digital presentation. At Galmstrup, he has contributed to various competitions, where his design skills help explore options and communicate complex proposals to our clients. A graduate student at the Bartlett School of Architecture in London, he is gaining professional experience while further developing his digital design skills.
Saif Sanoufe

ARCHITECTURAL ASSISTANT
BA Architecture (Westminster)
Saif is an architectural assistant bringing a solid foundation in design and visualisation skills. As a recent graduate from University of Westminster and nominated for the RIBA Bronze Medal, he has developed skills in architectural design and 3D modelling and is pursuing his professional qualification through practical experience at Galmstrup.
At Galmstrup, Saif supports the team across various cultural and heritage projects, contributing to design development and visualisation. His role encompasses CAD and 3D production, providing essential support to the studio's architects and project teams.