About

I studied architecture at The University of Manchester, qualifying as an architect in 2000, and went on to head numerous projects at some of the UK’s most prestigious design practices in a career focused on housing, regeneration and construction.

Following qualification I joined award-winning Urban Splash, where I collaborated closely with contractors and fabricators from the site office, and went on to head the Manchester office for Urban Splash Architects while still in his 20s.  This experience fuelled my interest and developed my expertise in linking design with fabrication and construction methods in architecture.

During my time in London, I worked for the design-lead practices Ian Simpson Architects and Glenn Howells Architects, as an Associate and senior member of the practice management at the latter.  Projects included the extension to the Grade 1 listed Fellow’s Parlour at Trinity College Cambridge, the new office for Ian Simpson Architects and The Printworks building at Glenn Howells Architects, which won UK ‘Apartment Building of the Year’ in the British Home Awards.

I have also led my own practice working on a variety of projects.  In 2006 my practice was one of only 6 practices out of over 100 worldwide to be shortlisted for the RIBA International design competition for the central promenade at Morecambe Bay.  The project was widely published, exhibited at the RIBA in London and was featured on a dedicated programme on BBC Radio 4 to which I contributed.

Teaching

School of Engineering and Built Environment

College of Social Sciences and Arts

My teaching is focussed in the final year of the postgraduate MArch course.  In addition, I contribute to the theory and technology teaching across the school of architecture at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

I led the design and development of the new curriculum for the undergraduate Architecture course which cemented the focus on sustainability in architecture but also facilitated the link between design, theory and making.

In 2017 I was one of only twenty academic staff from across the institution to win a University Inspirational Teaching Award. I have been nominated for the award every year since its inception.

I have taught at Liverpool University School of Architecture, The Manchester School of Architecture, Nottingham University School of Architecture, The Sheffield School of Architecture and HNUST School of Architecture in China.
 

 

Research

• Culture and Creativity Research Institute

I am also a student on the PhD Architectural Design programme at the Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL.  My doctoral research focuses on mapping digital and analogue methods of design, fabrication and assembly in Architecture, interrogating the link between what is drawn and what is ultimately constructed/made. My PhD thesis ‘Controlling Architecture Through Drawing, Making, Speaking and Writing’ proposes ways to examine and visualise dynamic exchanges of information exchanges using spatial 3d laser scanning techniques.

I use my research to enrich my teaching practice by setting up full-scale build projects for my students, situating studio learning and teaching in the fabrication workshops at SHU, and to connect the curriculum with the agendas of current and future Architectural practice.

Other activities

• External Examiner at Northumbria School of Architecture 2021 - Present
• Expert Panel Member on The Sheffield Design Panel for Sheffield City Council 2021 - Present
• Chartered Member of the Royal Institute of British Architects since 2000
• Registered with the Architect’s Registration Board since 2000
• External Examiner at The Manchester School of Architecture 2015 – 2019
• External Examiner at The Leeds School of Architecture 2021 - Present
• External Examiner at Queen's University Belfast 2021 - Present
• Chair/Vice Chair Member of the RIBA international and national validation panel 2017 - Present
• Academic Member of the Standing Conference of Heads of School of Architecture (SCHOSA) 2016 - Present
• Reviewer for Routledge publications (UK and International)

Postgraduate supervision

• I am a PhD supervisor with expertise in Architectural design, materials, digital fabrication and 3d LiDAR scanning.