ETHOS & BIOGRAPHY
ETHOS
Architecture is not a form of art, it is a problem solving science. Designs that don’t originate from a deep understanding of context are simply worthless. Architecture is there to serve the end user, not its maker.
A good Urban Designer knows how to make buildings respond to a setting in such way that the whole is greater than the sum of its component parts. Urban Design is where all built environment fields meet.
The job of a good Planner is to listen very carefully to those who form the urban ecosystem and to help them legislate to secure their future. A good Planner should be responsible for informing the population about what constitutes sustainable growth.
BIOGRAPHY
I am the East Midlands Convenor for the Urban Design Group and was amongst the first recognised urban design practitioners in the UK. I am currently a Senior Principal Urban Design and Conservation Officer at Nottingham City Council, where I am developing the Design Quality Framework for the City, which includes bringing together various partnerships to co-create the design guides, and establishing changes to planning and engagement processes for the city. I had had an active role in launching and co-running the Urban Room where I still act as Lead Curator.
I completed a PhD at the University of Nottingham, researching applicable theory on socially sustainable urban design in neighbourhoods. I looked at issues such as urban morphology, social networks and place psychologies as contributors to healthier, happier lifestyles. After four years working in higher education, I am now a guest lecturer at Universities of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent and Manchester.
My 20 years of work in architectural and urban practice include consultancy for the award winning Trent Basin scheme in Nottingham. I also assisted local and regional authorities reviewing the design of residential developments and provided urban design and master planning training to house builders, recently supporting Redrow Homes in the development of their Placemaking Guide.
I was an external expert advisor to the former North East Derbyshire District Council Urban Design Academy and I am currently a local host for the Place Alliance. I also sit at the Design: Midlands and South West Review Panels and I am a published critic, and radio and TV commentator. My work includes contributions towards the Design Companion for Planning and Placemaking, BBC broadcasting and the Telegraph news. I am also a qualified Community Organiser and I have worked closely with local groups and residents designing innovative ways of bottom-up engagement and co-design. I co-run alkiki, a CIC dedicated to help communities and authorities in need of built environment resources and skills.
I regularly provide active support to many local organisations and I have contributed to communities with the development of several Neighbourhood Plans.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
2022 to date - Urban Design London & Urban Design Works
Expert Member - Lecturer
2021 to date - Association of Collaborative Design
Member
2020 to date - Nottingham Climate Assembly
Member
2019 to date – Nottingham Urban Room
Trustee and Lead Curator
2015 to date - Place Alliance, UK
Local Host. Currently working on the revision of the higher education curriculum compliance for the Architect Registration Board
2015 to date – Design: Midlands and Design South East (former OPUN Design Council) UK
Expert Panel Member
2014 to date – Community Organisers
Member and facilitator
2005 to date - Urban Design Group, UK
Member since 2005, Regional Convenor since 2008, Recognised Practitioner since 2009
1998 – 2000
Vice-president and co-founding member of the conservation trust CERPHi, Ensenada’s Committee for the Restoration and Preservation of Historic Heritage. Argentina