Dipl.-Ing. Michael Hormann Architect, Engineer, Technician
RIBA / ARB
Welcome to Hormann Architects – a small, passionate design studio in the heart of Falmouth. We love creating unique spaces that bring people together and leave a lasting impression.
To us, architecture is more than just buildings – it’s about storytelling, connection, and creating places where life happens. Every project is a team effort, with clients, designers, and builders all playing a part in shaping something special.
From the first sketch to the finished space, we’re here to turn your ideas into a reality that feels good, works well, and fits beautifully into its surroundings.
Michael Hormann is a German technician, engineer, and chartered architect (RIBA) with nearly 20 years of experience in Cornwall and across the UK. His work spans listed building restorations, new builds, conversions, and the adaptation of both residential and commercial spaces.
In the Falmouth area, Michael has contributed to projects such as Jubilee Warehouse, Devoran Old School, Kimberley Park Bandstand, Prislow Woods Boardwalk, and numerous residential extensions and layout reconfigurations. His early career in civil engineering in Germany—working on bridges, roads, and drainage systems—continues to influence his practical and hands-on approach to architectural design.
Michael founded his former company, Märraum, in 2013, where he shaped the architectural direction and identity of the firm. He stepped away from the company in early 2018. The name and many of his original ideas continue to be used by the current owners, despite the fact that they are not architects.
To see more of Michael's work, please visit his portfolio.
See Michael Hormann's Portfolio for a glimpse of his previous projects.
My diverse professional background has taught me to value and respect a wide range of professions, skills, and individuals. I’ve learned to actively listen and understand specific requirements and processes, which has enabled me to develop both creative ideas and practical solutions. However, the most important quality I’ve gained over the years is a can-do attitude. I firmly believe that there is always a solution or a way to overcome any challenge.
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Human Qualities
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Empathy and emotional intelligence
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Patience and diplomacy
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Cultural awareness and social sensitivity
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Integrity and ethical responsibility
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Technical Expertise
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Over 400 completed Projects
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Construction knowledge and detailing
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Structural understanding
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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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Design and Spatial Understanding
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Developing creative but practical design solutions
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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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Curious and Critical
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Open to new ideas and questioning assumptions
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Applying critical awareness to improve decisions and designs
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Using reflection and questioning for continuous growth
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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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Writing and documentation
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Mediation and conflict resolution
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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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My professional journey has been broad and hands-on, shaped by a wide range of experiences across different fields.
It began with a year of alternative military service as community service in a hospital and care home, which gave me a strong sense of responsibility early on. I then trained as a licensed tennis coach, focusing on teaching children, before completing an apprenticeship and working as a civil engineering technician on bridges, roads, and drainage systems. I also spent time working in a joinery assisting on building exhibitions—experiences that taught me the value of craft and detail.
I studied architecture in Münster (NRW), where I earned my degree as an Engineer in Architecture. During my studies, I supported myself with various jobs—from working in a call centre and warehouse to helping on demolition and building sites. Alongside this, I had the chance to contribute to interesting projects as a cartographic assistant, including border mapping between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, aerial analysis of EU farmland, and internships in media and advertising. I also worked for several architecture practices, including the renowned treehouse studio Baumraum.
Eventually, I moved from Germany to Cornwall to join CAD Architects. Four years later, I founded my own practice, Märraum Architects , in Falmouth in the Attic of No2 Stratton Place.
However, in 2018, I was forced out of the business by my former business partner and his wife, who orchestrated a calculated, underhanded, and brutal move—marked by bullying, intimidation, isolation, shaming, and gaslighting. This involved the use of an insolvency tactic and came at a time when I was expecting the birth of my daughter.
These difficult and diverse experiences have shaped how I approach architecture - with curiosity, practical understanding, and a strong sense of purpose.
 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 |  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 |
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 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.