Leadership Team

Sean Ronnie Hill

Sean Ronnie Hill is the Founder and Architect at RISE Design Studio, recognized for his extensive experience in creating high-end residential and cultural projects across London. With deep expertise in low-energy homes, retrofits, and low-energy new builds, Sean is a certified Passivhaus Designer and a member of The Green Register, underscoring his commitment to sustainable architecture.

Prior to founding RISE, Sean gained valuable experience working on education, residential, and mixed-use projects at John McAslan Architects and ADP. Originally from Ballymena, Sean graduated from the Manchester School of Architecture with a BArch in 2005 and a Diploma in 2007.

Sean led the award-winning renovation and extension of the Lexi Cinema, including the creation of Screen 2, which became the first cinema auditorium to utilize an Air-to-Air Source Heat Pump, MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery), and Airtightness strategies to control the internal climate. This project earned multiple accolades, including a Civic Trust Award, two Brent Design Awards, and a New London Award, and was nominated for a RIBA London Award and an FX Award.

Outside of the studio, Sean is an avid swimmer, cyclist, and runner, often encouraging the team to join him for early morning swims at the Serpentine. His focus on sustainability and energy efficiency drives RISE Design Studio's mission to create better homes and spaces for a sustainable future.

Imran Jahn

Imran is a Co-Director at RISE Design Studio.

Imran studied at Manchester University and the Bartlett (UCL) before qualifying at the Architectural Association School of Architecture. With over two decades of experience in high-profile, design-led international practices, he joined RISE in 2021 after significant roles at PLP as an Associate Partner, Grimshaw, and Stanton Williams. An award-winning architect, Imran brings a profound depth of expertise in delivering complex projects, underscored by his technical acumen and exceptional drawing skills. His project portfolio showcases large, skyline-defining mixed-use schemes in London and significant educational and cultural projects across the UK and Europe.

Imran is not only recognised for his meticulous attention to detail and component design but also for his leadership in sustainability and low embodied energy retrofit. His work demonstrates a commitment to environmentally responsible architecture, balancing innovative design with sustainable practices.

As a leader he excels in team management and mentoring junior members. Outside of architecture, Imran is an avid tennis player, frequently found on courts in North London and internationally on the amateur world tour.

José Dengra

José is a Senior Architect at RISE Design Studio.

He joined the practice in 2025, bringing over a decade of experience in residential and cultural projects across all RIBA design stages.

Since moving to London in 2014, Jose has worked with several design-led studios on complex projects, including the Gilbert & George Centre at SIRS and running large-scale mixed-use and affordable housing developments at Stockwool. His experience spans from early concept design through to technical delivery, employing strong coordination and leadership skills along the way.

A postgraduate in Building Information Modelling (BIM) from the University of Barcelona, Jose is passionate about digital design integration and its role in achieving rigour and sustainability in architecture. Influenced by other artistic disciplines, he brings a creative and thoughtful approach to his work.

Outside the studio, José either can be found playing tennis and running in North London parks or enjoying a LSO concert at the Barbican.

Collaborators

Xavier Chavez - Architect

Valentin Gheorghian - Architect

Viktoria Ivanova - Visualisation Specialist

Manuel Urbina - Project Architect

Clovis Cunha - BIM Specialist

Emily Natalya - Project Architect

María Lopez Mata - Project Architect

Eva Mendez - Project Architect

Yuki Terado - Project Architect

Alejandro Vega Tejado - Project Architect

Marco Curtaz - Project Architect

Natsuka Muto - Project Architect

William Mondejar - Project Architect

Anthony Newton - Project Architect

James Hull - Architect

María León Ferreiro - Architect