In a world obsessed with sprawling mansions and grandiose renovations, British architect Gemma Wheeler has carved a distinctive niche by celebrating the beauty and potential of modest, unconventional spaces.
With a growing YouTube following and a practice dedicated to breathing life into quirky, awkward, and historically rich buildings, Gemma isn’t just designing homes—she’s telling stories through architecture.
A Childhood Shaped by Old Beams and Quiet Beauty
Gemma Wheeler’s love for architecture didn’t stem from textbooks or studio lectures alone—it was lived, daily.
Growing up in a centuries-old British home with low ceilings, uneven floors, and the kind of imperfections that would challenge any modern-day blueprint, she developed a profound respect for spaces that carried history in their bones.
Oyster shells embedded in the mortar and exposed medieval timbers were not flaws—they were conversation starters, rich with the past. This experience would eventually shape her design philosophy: that good architecture isn’t just about clean lines or clever layouts. It’s about how a space makes you feel. It’s about soul.
Design With Depth: Her Unique Approach
Gemma Wheeler is not your average architect. She is a small house architect specialized in small-scale, often overlooked or “awkward” buildings—think narrow cottages, converted sheds, old boats, and rural ruins. Where most might see spatial limitations or impracticality, Gemma sees opportunity.
She believes architecture should not dominate but instead harmonize with its environment. Whether she’s restoring a crumbling Welsh stone house or modernizing a barge into a floating sanctuary, Gemma’s designs often preserve the quirks of the structure while enhancing usability and aesthetics.
Her goal is never to wipe a slate clean, but to reimagine it—preserving what’s precious, and improving what’s necessary. This sensitivity to both heritage and function makes her work uniquely resonant in a world that often favors fast, flashy, and forgettable renovations.
YouTube: Sharing Stories, Not Just Spaces
In 2022, Gemma took her passion to a wider audience with the launch of her YouTube channel. But this is not just a digital portfolio. Her channel has become one of the best architecture YouTube channels.
Each video is a narrative journey into homes that defy convention—tiny country houses transformed into spacious havens, boats turned into fully livable art pieces, and derelict cottages made not just livable, but beautiful.
With each episode, she walks viewers through the “before” and “after,” highlighting design decisions, structural challenges, and homeowner insights. But what stands out most is her storytelling.
These aren’t just builds. They are emotional experiences—an elderly man restoring his late wife’s dream cottage, a young family converting a bus into a sustainable home, or a woman turning a barn into her artistic retreat.
Gemma’s calm narration, thoughtful commentary, and architectural insight make her channel a blend of educational resource and meditative visual treat. Viewers don’t just learn about renovation—they understand why every choice matters.
Affordable, Accessible Architecture
One of Gemma’s most admirable missions is to make quality architecture accessible. Through her website, she offers hourly design consultations that allow homeowners—regardless of budget—to benefit from professional insight.
Her services aren’t confined to luxury clients or large firms. Instead, they cater to everyday people wanting to make the most out of their living spaces. She also provides detailed digital concept design packages that help clients see the possibilities for their homes—even before picking up a hammer.
These conceptual plans can guide future work or serve as the foundation for contractor collaboration. By combining architectural depth with flexibility and affordability, Gemma has opened up a space in the industry that was long closed to many.
Sustainability Rooted in Simplicity
In an age where sustainability often means expensive tech and glossy certifications, Gemma quietly practices a more grounded, effective form. She favors salvaging over demolishing, local materials over imports, and restoring instead of replacing.
Many of the projects featured on her channel are prime examples of this ethos. She emphasizes passive design—maximizing natural light, enhancing insulation, and reusing existing structures to reduce waste.
Whether she’s helping reimagine a stone ruin in Wales or a narrowboat in London, her goal is not just a beautiful outcome, but one that’s responsible, sustainable, and emotionally durable. This practical approach to sustainability makes her especially appealing to those looking to reduce their environmental impact without breaking the bank.
Designing for Emotion, Not Just Efficiency
One of Gemma’s most compelling qualities is her ability to connect architecture to the human condition. She often speaks of homes not as products, but as experiences. Her designs are driven by how people live, love, and feel within a space.
It’s why so many of her transformations include moments of softness—curved staircases that encourage a pause, reading nooks with warm light, window seats with framed countryside views.
Her projects aren’t just beautiful—they’re comforting. And that comfort comes not from extravagance, but from intention.
Not Just an Architect—A Creative Force
Beyond the drafting table, Gemma is a multidisciplinary creator. Her website reveals her love for writing, sketching, and visual storytelling. She often shares architectural musings, toolkits for DIY renovators, and guides for those wanting to pitch their unique spaces for a feature on her channel.
In doing so, she has cultivated a growing online community of design enthusiasts, homeowners, and aspiring, even tiny house architects. Whether it’s offering a peek into the realities of architectural practice or sharing stories behind transformations, Gemma has made herself relatable and deeply respected in the digital design world.
Client-Centric and Collaborative
Gemma is not the kind of architect who imposes her vision onto a space. Instead, she sees her clients as co-authors in the process. Her consultations are deeply collaborative, often involving walkthroughs, mood boards, and extensive Q&A sessions to understand lifestyle, needs, and emotional connection to the space.
This client-first approach is particularly evident in her YouTube series, where homeowners share their journey, not just their finished homes. It reflects her belief that the best homes are not those that look best in a magazine, but those that feel most aligned with the people living in them.
Bridging the Gap Between Old and New
What makes Gemma’s work stand out isn’t just her attention to detail, but her ability to honor the past while embracing the future.
She doesn’t erase the age of a property—she enhances it. Wooden beams are left exposed, imperfect walls are celebrated, and historic quirks are turned into character features.
At the same time, she embraces clean lines, natural light, and minimalist design where appropriate. The result is a perfect tension—a space that feels both rooted and modern.
Tiny Home Floor Plans, 2 Bedroom Tiny Houses, Small Farmhouse Plans, and Clever Layouts for Awkward Small Spaces
Gemma Wheeler’s architectural philosophy brings soul to small spaces—whether it’s designing tiny home floor plans, crafting cozy 2-bedroom tiny houses, or reimagining small farmhouse plans with historical charm.
Her work showcases thoughtful floor plans for small houses that prioritize livability and emotion over excess.
From resolving awkward small bedroom layouts to creating elegant attic staircases, or integrating multifunctional elements like a Murphy bed (horizontal), her designs prove that small home design can be both beautiful and brilliantly functional.
Whether it’s tiny house floor plans or small 2-bedroom house plans, Gemma’s work is a testament to architectural creativity at any scale.
The Future of Human-Centered Architecture
As housing challenges grow more complex—rising costs, shrinking spaces, and increasing environmental concerns—architects like Gemma Wheeler are showing that the answers don’t always lie in bigger budgets or bigger homes. Sometimes, the best designs are in the reimagining of what we already have.
Gemma’s work encourages us to stop asking “How much space do I need?” and instead ask, “How can I make my space work for me?” It’s a lesson in creativity, restraint, and the power of architectural empathy.
Gemma Wheeler is more than an architect—she’s a visionary who champions the underdog spaces that others might dismiss. Her work reminds us that beauty exists in imperfection, that small can be stunning, and that our homes can reflect not just our taste, but our soul. With a refreshing blend of design intelligence, storytelling finesse, and genuine human connection, Gemma continues to transform both spaces and lives—one quirky corner at a time.
Explore Her World:
- YouTube: Gemma Wheeler Architecture
- Website: www.gemmawheeler.com
- Instagram: @gemmawheelerarchitecture
Architectural Profile: Gemma Wheeler – A Journey of Design Excellence, Heritage, and Innovation
According to her LinkedIn Profile, Gemma began her architectural journey with a BA in Architecture (First Class) from the University of Westminster, followed by a Master of Architecture (Distinction) from Cardiff University. She also holds an MA (Hons) in History of Art & Architecture from the University of Edinburgh, underscoring her commitment to both theory and practice.
Her professional experience spans acclaimed firms such as GRAS, LBA – Architecture + Design, and JONES ROBBINS, where she contributed to high-profile projects across Edinburgh and London. She has also taken on freelance roles and built experience in creative studio environments, holding positions from Architectural Assistant to Project Architect.
Recognized for her design excellence, Gemma has received multiple awards, including commendation for the RIBA President’s Silver Medal, the Colwyn Foulkes Memorial Prize, and the T Alwyn Lloyd Memorial Prize.
Through her independent practice, Gemma continues to deliver meaningful, detail-rich architecture rooted in place, culture, and sustainability.
Below is a snapshot of her credentials and professional journey:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Gemma Wheeler |
| Current Role | Architect & Principal, Gemma Wheeler Architecture (Oct 2022 – Present) |
| Company Registration | GEMMA WHEELER LTD, founded Feb 2024 (Edinburgh-based, offers architectural and IT-related services) |
| Notable Past Roles | – Project Architect, JONES ROBBINS (2023–2024)- Architect, LBA Architecture + Design (2019–2022)- Architect, GRAS (2017–2018) |
| Freelance Work | Independent architect for various UK-based projects (2019) |
| Early Experience | Part I & II roles at Invisible Studio, Jonathan Tuckey Design, and others |
| Education | – MArch (Distinction), Cardiff University- BA Architecture (First Class), University of Westminster- MA (Hons) History of Art & Architecture, University of Edinburgh |
| Awards | – RIBA President’s Silver Medal Commendation- Colwyn Foulkes Memorial Prize- T Alwyn Lloyd Memorial Prize |
| YouTube Channel | Gemma Wheeler Architecture – ~99k subscribers, 7.3M+ viewsArchitecture tutorials, conceptual design, and Q&A content |
| Estimated Income (YouTube) | Approx. $1.5k–2.1k per month (public YouTube analytics estimates) |
| Expertise | Residential Design, Adaptive Reuse, Cultural Architecture, Contextual Design, Creative Small-Site Strategies |
| Design Philosophy | Combines architectural heritage with progressive designDetail-rich, place-based architecture rooted in sustainability |
| Location | United Kingdom (Projects across Edinburgh & London) |
| Personal Background | Grew up in a historic home with medieval features; this shaped her interest in blending old and new |
| Consultation Services | Offers online 1:1 consultations and global concept design packages through her website |
Gemma continues to push the boundaries of thoughtful design through her practice, combining her love for architectural heritage with a forward-thinking design philosophy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gemma Wheeler – Architect & YouTube Creator
Who is Gemma Wheeler?
Gemma Wheeler is a UK-based architect and founder of Gemma Wheeler Architecture, an independent practice rooted in contextual, sustainable, and small-scale design. Her academic background spans three leading UK universities, and she has worked with notable architectural firms before launching her own studio in 2022.
When Is Gemma Wheeler’s Birthday?
Gemma Wheeler celebrates her birthday around mid-July each year. In 2024, she mentioned being “still 39 for 3 more days” just before July 14.
What is Gemma Wheeler’s age in 2025?
As of July 2025, Gemma Wheeler is approximately 40 years old, based on public birthday posts.
How Popular is Her YouTube Channel?
As of mid-2025, Gemma’s YouTube channel—Gemma Wheeler Architecture—has grown to nearly 99,000 subscribers and has amassed over 7 million views. Her content focuses on:
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Tiny homes and space-saving design
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Floor plan analysis
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Sketching and design walkthroughs
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Architecture Q&As and tutorials
Her calm, engaging style and commitment to quality content have earned her a dedicated following worldwide.
How Much Does She Earn From YouTube?
While exact numbers aren’t public, estimates suggest that Gemma earns between $700 to $1,000 per month from YouTube ad revenue alone. This figure doesn’t include income from consultations, design services, or affiliate partnerships.
What Services Does She Offer?
Gemma provides a range of services through her independent practice, including:
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1:1 online consultations (ideal for homeowners or self-builders)
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Full concept design packages (2D/3D drawings and design narratives)
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Design guidance tailored to small, unique, or hard-to-use sites
Her ethos is to make architectural design more accessible, thoughtful, and contextually grounded, even for small-scale projects.
Does She Only Design Tiny Homes?
Not at all. While Gemma is well known for her interest in tiny homes and compact living, her expertise extends to:
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Residential renovations and extensions
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Adaptive reuse projects
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Culturally and historically sensitive architecture
Her love for “the in-between spaces” and unconventional projects means she often works on bespoke, character-rich designs.
Where is She Based?
Gemma is based in the United Kingdom, with project experience across Edinburgh and London. That said, her consultation and concept services are available to clients internationally through her website.
What Awards Has She Received?
Gemma’s academic and early professional work has received high recognition, including:
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RIBA President’s Silver Medal Commendation
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Colwyn Foulkes Memorial Prize
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T Alwyn Lloyd Memorial Prize
These accolades highlight her talent not just as a practitioner but also as a thinker and communicator of architecture.
What Inspired Her Interest in Architecture?
Gemma often credits her upbringing in a historic, medieval-featured home for shaping her deep appreciation for heritage and materiality. This background fuels her passion for blending the old with the new, and respecting the story of a place while creating something meaningful and modern.
Disclaimer: All images used in this guide are sourced from her YouTube channels and are included solely for informational purposes. Full credit and rights belong to their respective owners.
