Dipl.-Ing. Michael Hormann Architect, Engineer, Technician
RIBA / ARB
Welcome to mär studio
formerly Hormann Architects,
Mär Studio is an evolution from Hormann Architects. The change was made for straightforward, practical reasons only. The original name was relatively long and often difficult to write or use consistently, and it also overlaps with the name of a large, established practice. In addition, my own ambitions have shifted toward a more focused and personal mode of work.
The change does not reflect any other reason. Mär Studio better reflects the scale, focus, and direction of my current work.
Mär Studio is a personal design practice based in the heart of Falmouth. I work closely with clients to create thoughtful, distinctive spaces that bring people together and stand the test of time.
For me, architecture is more than the act of building. It is about storytelling, connection, and shaping places where life unfolds — spaces that feel grounded, meaningful, and genuinely lived in.
The studio builds on the philosophy of my earlier practice, Märraum, which I founded in 2009 and left in 2018. While the name itself belongs to an earlier chapter, its underlying idea remains central: architecture as space shaped by narrative, context, and human experience.
Over the years, Felicity, Susanne, Ben, Chelsea, and Joseph have contributed their skills and support to various projects — thank you. I am also grateful to the many clients, builders, consultants, friends, and collaborators who continue to make this work possible.
Michael Hormann
Dipl.-Ing., Architect
Michael Hormann is a German technician, engineer, and chartered architect (RIBA) with over 25 years of professional experience.
His work ranges from small extensions, attic conversions, and garages to listed building restorations, new builds, conversions, and the adaptation of both residential and commercial spaces.
In the Falmouth area, he has been involved in projects such as Jubilee Warehouse, Devoran Old School, Kimberley Park Bandstand, Prislow Woods Boardwalk, as well as numerous residential extensions and internal reconfigurations.
Michael began his career as a technician in civil engineering in Germany, working on bridges, roads, renaturalisation schemes, drainage systems, and infrastructure projects. This technical foundation led to his architectural education and engineering degree in Germany.
His professional experience forms part of a long and varied journey that extends beyond architecture alone, shaping a thoughtful, sensitive, and people-focused approach to design.
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Technical Expertise
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German Dipl.-Ing. Engineer in Architecture
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Qualified Technician in Civil Engineering
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Over 400 completed Projects
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German construction knowledge and detailing
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Building regulations and codes
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Sustainability and Environmental design
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Digital tools (CAD, BIM, Visualisation)
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Risk awareness and safety
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Engineering optimist: critical and constructive
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Design and Spatial Understanding
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Dedicated to creating functional, beautiful, future-proof spaces
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Shaping spaces that are functional, beautiful, and human-centred
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Responding to site, context, and real-world constraints
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Structural understanding, part of my university education
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Collaborating with others to bring ideas to life with energy
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Make it happen attitude
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Special Expertise
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Spotting buildings and spaces that don’t work for people
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Health, wellbeing, and performance impact of spaces
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User-focused design, powered by diverse personal experience
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Ability to deeply understand complex processes
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Embracing irrational and playful ideas
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Co-creating with users to bring spaces to their full potential
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Advanced chemical understanding
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Human Qualities
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Care and love for design
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Empathy and emotional intelligence
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respect, patience and diplomacy
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Cultural awareness and social sensitivity
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Integrity and ethical responsibility
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Curious and Critical
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Genuine interest in people, their work, experiences and feelings
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Open to new ideas and questioning assumptions
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Using critical awareness to improve decisions and designs
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Aim to leave the world better than I found it
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Travelled in Europe, UK, Australia, USA
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Worked in many Jobs, insight into real-world needs
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Multidisciplinary and scientific mindset
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Member of community choir
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Communication Skills
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Listening and interpreting client needs
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Explaining complex information clearly
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Visual and verbal presentation skills
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Mediation and conflict resolution
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Overcome criticism and solve problems
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Project and Practice Management
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Time and resource planning
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Budget awareness and cost control
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Coordinating consultants, engineers, and contractors
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Legal and professional responsibilities
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Making decisions under pressure
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Weakness
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Attention regulation restless mind
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Self-Critical nature
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Need stimulation and interaction
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Never stop to learn and research
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A long professional Journey - why I see things differently
My professional journey has been broad and hands-on, shaped by experience across a wide range of fields. Looking back, I recognise how valuable this non-linear path has been, even though it often required persistence, adaptability, and self-belief.
I left secondary school early after Year 10 at a Gymnasium for higher education and later received an ADHD diagnosis, which helped me better understand those early experiences. Through later study and professional practice, I demonstrated my academic capability and developed an appreciation for different ways of learning and working.
I began with a three-year Apprenticeship and worked as a Technician in Civil Engineering, contributing to bridges, infrastructure, large-scale renaturation schemes, drainage systems, and flood-risk mapping. This work provided a strong technical foundation and an early understanding of how landscape, infrastructure, and systems interact.
I also completed Alternative Civilian Service, working in Hospital Logistics and later in a care home providing Full Care. These experiences deepened my respect for responsibility, reliability, and the importance of well-functioning systems that support people’s everyday lives. Alongside this, I trained as a Licensed Tennis Coach, focusing on long-term engagement, encouragement, and enjoyment of sport.
Before beginning my architectural studies, I worked in a Joinery assisting with exhibition construction for automotive and fashion clients, which strengthened my appreciation for Craft, Precision, and Teamwork.
I later studied Architecture in Münster (NRW), qualifying as an Engineer in Architecture. Alongside my studies, I supported myself through a range of practical and physically demanding roles, including work in a Call Centre, a Skateboard Warehouse, a Moving Company, and on Demolition and Construction Sites. Working across such varied environments gave me a grounded understanding of the realities behind architecture and a deep respect for the people who build, maintain, and support the spaces we inhabit, as well as for the many forms of essential work that underpin everyday life.
After graduating, I worked across Several Architecture Practices . Over several years, I worked across a number of studios, gaining experience under a range of conditions. This period exposed me to the pressures and structural challenges within the profession, including long hours, low pay, and fragile job security. While demanding, these experiences strengthened my resilience and clarified the professional values I now hold as essential to responsible practice.
Later spent two years as a Cartographic Assistant on international projects, including border mapping of Saudi Arabia and Yemen and large-scale environmental analysis of EU farmland. This broadened my understanding of spatial information, data, and the relationship between design, territory, and policy. I also explored adjacent creative fields through short placements in renowned architect and treehouse studio Baumraum , Media, and Advertising, which confirmed my long-term commitment to architecture.
Following the death of my father from cancer, I reached a point where I wanted to make a fundamental change in my life, including a change of place. While familiar with London, Cornwall represented something different — a sense of Sehnsucht: a longing for landscape, openness, and a closer relationship to nature.
I moved from Germany to Cornwall to join CAD Architects in Penryn during a period that coincided with the Global Financial Crisis.
After a period of preparation, I founded my own architectural practice, Märraum, in 2009 in Falmouth, which I left in 2018. The studio began modestly, operating from the attic of No. 2 Stratton Place, which also served as my home. Early projects included the Floating Barge Brain of Brian and the Jubilee Warehouse, enabling the studio to grow and begin working collaboratively with others. As the practice developed, former colleagues later joined the business, and I remained closely involved in design leadership, authorship, and delivery.
Märchen — fairy tales — have long been a way of exploring complexity, transformation, and moral questions through narrative. Growing up with this cultural tradition has influenced how I understand long journeys, including professional ones. In this sense, my experience in architecture can be understood as a Märchen: a long journey in which progress is rarely linear, and learning often comes through challenge, reflection, and persistence.
Seen through a German cultural lens, my Experiences in Architecture can be understood as a Märchen — a long journey shaped by complexity, change, and gradual learning rather than a simple or linear path. This perspective continues to inform how I work today.
I believe architecture should create lasting value through thoughtful design, integrity, and respect for people and place. As a parent, these values matter to me not only professionally, but personally, and they guide the example I hope to pass on to the next generation.
However, this long journey motivates me to make things better.
 Conversion of a bungalowCollaboration with Peter Skerrett to convert this single story bungalow into a double story house for a family. A lovely exterior appearance, more insualtion, better layout and more space. |  Upgrade and conversionMetamorphosis of this hidden small place adjoining the rear of a house. More light, better layout, more space, good insualtion and affordable. |  Conversion & RestorationNo24 Dunstanville Terrace in Falmouth. For the previous owner I designed and managed the conversion of this 3 flat property into a single house. The solution was to construct a house in the existing house to stabilise the existing structure, which when we exposed all structures was in a dangerous non load bearing condition. Part of the project was to sort out damp issues and to restore unique features such as internal stonework and a deep stone faced well on the terrace behind the house. |  extension & alterationsHouse near Penzance |  'Brain of Brian'At night. Penryn |  'Brain of Brian'Michael's signature still visible on the plaque |  'Brain of Brian'Model |  Founder of MärraumIn 2010 I officially founded Märraum and created the brand and its German name, which means story of space. In the first 2.5 years after founding I was a sole practitioner in which the Barge "Brain of Brian", the Jubilee Warehouse, Helland House, Old Devoran School and so many other building have been designed, completed or the construction started. The new owners joined Märraum at the end of 2012 and still advertise with 75% of my work. See the original sketch of the logo made on a blackboard. |  Interior designConcept for wine restaurant on the Isles of Scilly |  New buildNew build of a residential property and conversion of a granite outbuilding to studios in Gweek |  New buildConversion of a bungalow utilising the roof space. Near High Cross, Constantine |
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 Jubilee WarehouseConversion of a 1950's warehouse into thirteen high quality work studios, with a stunning central atrium. Features include rainwater-flushed toilets, table tennis table, photovoltaic panels and a piano. Penryn |  Jubilee WarehouseTennis table |  Jubilee WarehouseAtrium, kitchen, piano, table tennis, library and a large octagonal table |  Sports centreThe design included a 25m swimming pool, 3 squash courts, a cafe, a large sports hall and an office block and received planning permission. Perranporth. |  Sports centre |  Sports centreThe design included a 25m swimming pool, 3 squash courts, a cafe, a large sports hall and an office block and received planning permission. Perranporth |  Sports centreThe design included a 25m swimming pool, 3 squash courts, a cafe, a large sports hall and an office block and received planning permission. Perranporth |  New hotelNewquay |  CompetitonThe Lightbox Summer Pavilion Concept created in collaboration with Philip Sinclair of Handmade Images Studio |  FarmhouseConversion. Germany |  New houseDevoran |
 Sports hallExtension in Truro |  Sports hallExtension in Truro |  Measuring20 multi-residential houses in Bonn |  Student housingPlymouth |  Cafe extensionFor a school in Truro |  Urban designNewquay |  Urban designNewquay |  Urban designNewlyn East |  Urban designConcept model |  Urban designConcept model |  Urban designDiagram with analysis relationship to built areas, green areas and traffic areas. Redruth |
 Visitor centreFor cider farm near Newquay |  Visitor centreConcept of visitor experience and separation of production |  Visitor centreCider exhibition and production facility |  Commercial unitsNear Plymouth |  ExtensionTimber-clad extension to an existing granite farmhouse, Roscollas Farm |  New pubNear Newquay |  New pubNear Newquay |  Modular designFor agriculture unit in Europe |  CompetionFor a school in Germany |  ConstructionDrawings for a bridge in Germany |  Petrol stationNear Newquay |
 Petrol station |  Petrol stationNear Newquay |  Petrol stationNear Newquay |  TreehouseVisualisation for Baumraum. Featured in 'Treehouses' by Andreas Wenning |  Interior workGrade II listed cottage in Durgan |  Outdoor artFour on Tresco, design and construction preparation. Photograph © Richard Broomhall |  Outdoor ArtA strong and safe solution was required for an outdoor exhibition stand which could be easily delivered and constructed on site. Tresco, Isles of Scilly |  Outdoor ArtPhotograph © Richard Broomhall |  New buildResidential property in Truro |  Loft conversionPenryn |  LibraryConcept for a university library in Eberswalde, Germany |
 LibraryConcept for a university library in Eberswalde, Germany |  Bird StationConcept for a bird observation in the Rieselfelder in Munster, Germany |  Exhibition TentTensegrity exhibition tent at the University of Munster, Germany |
SAM LANYON
founder of Concept Shed
engineer and client
Thank you Michael. Without your vision, intelligent design and pragmatism we would not have been able to self-build.
With your expertise, we have a house that not only reflects our aesthetic, but also works to meet our needs as a family. Your guidance and constant support have been vital in realising this project.
CAROLINE COX
Development Director at Robotmother, the client of the "Brain of Brian" barge and the "Jubilee Warehouse" in Penryn
Michael’s visual skills were really valuable. He considered the context of the barge and made sense of the whole area.
KEES TOFT
Client and bandmember of the Wives of Farmer in Cornwall
Michael’s the kind of person who, if he knew you weren’t happy about something, wouldn’t sleep. And that’s rare nowadays. He cares, that’s the key to it.
GEORGE MACKAY
Client and founder of a flower studio in Cornwall
We could not have been happier with Michael’s passion, ideas, expertise and care over our project. He thought out of the box and made every inch of space count.