What’s your role at StudiO and what does it involve?

I’m a Senior Architectural Technologist and head of the technical team at StudiO. Technologists specialise in the ‘nuts and bolts’ of architecture. We take concept designs and develop them at a technical level, ensuring compliance with Building Regulations, British Standards, and so on. We’re also responsible for how buildings perform in terms of sustainability and energy use, from the choice of materials and construction methods to the thermal performance of the building as a whole.

Here at StudiO, we’re an RIBA Chartered Architectural Practice. I collaborate with the architects and all members of the team from an early stage in a project’s conception, providing a technical perspective on the design process. Once a project receives planning approval, I generally move into more of a lead role. At that stage, I focus on technical design, detailed design, working with our interior design team, specification writing, the tender process, and acting as contract administrator once construction gets underway.

When and how did you first become interested in architecture, construction, and becoming a technologist?

At the age of 14 or 15, I developed a keen interest in technical hand-drawing in my secondary school graphics classes. That prompted me to complete work experience placements at some local architectural technology practices. As my interest grew, I took the appropriate GCSEs and A-Levels before securing an apprenticeship and ultimately earning a degree in architectural technology.

What do you find most interesting about your work?

I’ve been fortunate enough to work on a wide variety of projects throughout my career so far. Every day there is something interesting to discover, whether it be a new design to work on, a new client to engage with, or a new material or form of construction. A large part of what we do is essentially problem solving, be it finding a solution to a technical design challenge, resolving an issue on a live building project, or managing the role of contract administrator – which often requires a high level of diplomacy!

A keen interest of mine, stemming from my first job in an architectural practice that specialised in historic buildings, has always been vernacular architecture. I’m fascinated by how historic buildings were constructed as a response to their environment and culture, and how modern technical interventions – which can sometimes have a negative impact on the health of these buildings – need to be carefully considered. 

What’s your favourite part of the architectural process?

I confess I have a love/hate relationship with the construction stage of projects. It can often be very stressful and challenging, but I also really enjoy being on-site, working alongside other consultants and building contractors to bring designs to reality. Thanks to my long-standing interest in technical drawing, and despite (or maybe because of) all the challenges it brings, being presented with a new concept design to develop into a detailed set of drawings and specifications for construction brings me real joy!

How big a role does collaboration play in your work?

As part of a multi-disciplinary practice offering the full architectural service from conception to completion, collaboration is a huge part of the process, and of my role in particular. Aside from collaboration with other teams within the practice, the technical stages involve working with a range of other consultants – structural engineers, mechanical & electrical engineers, lighting designers, tanking designers and others depending on the project requirements. 

We like to establish a team of skilled consultants and building contractors/subcontractors for our projects, all of whom have the same enthusiasm for their work. We work collaboratively, sharing information and combining our strengths to resolve challenges and support the client. Good collaboration and relationships are key to the success of a project!

How important is sustainability?

From the perspectives of technical design, compliance with regulations and best practice, sustainability is hugely important. It’s also very important for me at a personal level. As a practice, we consider the environmental impact of our designs from site analysis/concept onwards, rather than at a separate, later stage of the design process. This ensures sustainability is built into the early design process rather than tacked on later on as an afterthought. 

Aside from site-analysis considerations such as location/exposure, topography, prevailing winds, and orientation – all of which dictate the concept design – we always seek to far exceed the minimum requirements of the Building Regulations where possible in terms of thermal performance and energy use, and consider the provenance and embodied energy of the materials we specify. 

Tell us about a project that was particularly rewarding to work on and why.

La Fosse Cottage was a very interesting and enjoyable project to work on. It involved fully refurbishing and significantly extending a listed traditional Guernsey farmhouse, on a steeply sloping site, for a young, growing family. From the early construction stages of high reinforced concrete retaining walls, steel structure and tanking, to the fine detailing of the slimline glazing, corrugated sheet cladding, and full interior design detailing and fit-out, everything was undertaken in a considered way.

The treatment and detailing of the contemporary extension had to be balanced with, and in some cases treated differently to, the technical demands of the existing farmhouse. Exhausting? At times! But hugely rewarding too, especially now that it’s a much-loved family home. It also won StudiO a 2024 Guernsey Design Award, and it was hugely gratifying to know that the technical design and construction had been delivered in accordance with the concept.

How do you see the role of architectural technologist evolving in the next 10-20 years?

AI will, and has already started to, play an increasingly useful role in what architectural practices do. We will of course need to embrace the benefits it offers. As AI is used more and more in concept design, the latter stages – including technical design and construction – will continue to require oversight and input from technologists to ensure successful delivery. This is especially true for unique, bespoke projects, when AI cannot draw on previous projects to inform its output.

Meet the StudiO team here