zara moon

BA Hons. MArch. PGDip. ARB. RIBA.

Zara is an RIBA Chartered Architect, the Lead Architect and Director at ZMA, who’s ultimate objective is to create architectural solutions which transform people’s lives.

Zara is passionate about high quality design being able to solve problems, and pushing the boundaries in terms of design and planning in order to achieve client’s aspirations on sensitive and highly challenging sites.

Zara leads the overall design and planning strategy for each scheme in order to achieve solutions for sites which others have deemed ‘impossible’.

Zara prides herself on listening to the needs of each client, to ensure that the best possible solution is created specific to the client, site, building and budget.

He then chose to specialise in stone, working as a stone-mason and designing, constructing, and restoring prestigious private homes, manor houses, castles, and heritage schemes in the UK and overseas.

“I love the challenge of translating a client’s dreams into a design which reflects the client’s specific needs and personality, whilst also working with the constraints and opportunities of the site.”

Zara grew up in Rossendale Valley and went to Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School (BRGS), moving to Burnley in her teens. Zara started horse riding at age 3 and went on to represent Great Britain on Team GB in Endurance Horse Racing, was Supreme National Champion of GB, and has competed all over the UK, France, Italy, Bahrain and the UAE by the age of 21.

Whilst working in Liverpool Zara returned to the University of Liverpool as a University Tutor. Every student within Zara’s allocated student group moved up 2 grade brackets, and reaching the highest achieving grades in the year group.

“I wanted to provide each student, the guidance and skills to improve their skillset with the transferrable processes I use within every practice.”

Zara’s involvement in each ZMA project commences from the first enquiry meeting, and continues through the design and planning stages of the project. Including analysing the site or existing building, understanding the constraints and opportunities, analysing the client brief, and translating this analysis into the site strategy, design strategy, and planning strategy. Zara then works with Paul and Robyn to develop the initial design concepts, developing the design particularly in terms of how the building will integrate with the site, building layout and flow, integration with natural light, and architectural concepts.

Aside from ZMA, Zara loves spending time with family, building lego with Aurelia, walking Max the beaglier, and visiting the best restaurants across Lancashire.