How did you get to where you are today?
"Architecture is about problem solving and my interest in the field began from a very early age. From primary school age, I was a keen sketcher, and my written work was never without an illustration or two. An early school trip to Boston in Lincolnshire inspired me to start drawing buildings and I quickly developed an interest from there.
My drawings have come a long way since then, but my focus has come full circle. After spending many years working across Yorkshire, the East Midlands and the North East on a wide variety of projects — including an award-winning refurbishment and conversion of a Grade II* listed Mining Institute in Newcastle — I returned to Lincolnshire to be closer to family and took up the position of Principal Architect at RDC.
My role at RDC now sees me deliver predominantly residential and commercial schemes across Lincolnshire and its surrounding counties."
What do you enjoy most about being an architect?
"For me, it’s the opportunity to combine creativity with technical problem solving. Every project presents a different challenge, whether that's exploring ideas through early feasibility studies, responding to planning constraints or resolving technical details during construction.
I enjoy the fact that no two days are ever quite the same. I also find it incredibly rewarding to work closely with clients, helping to turn an initial idea into a design that not only meets their needs but often exceeds their expectations."
Talk to us about your design ethos
"A successful architectural project is one that meets the client’s brief, fits seamlessly into its surroundings, and will stand the test of time. This typically requires a sensitive balance between old and new. As an architect, I have as much respect for the architecture of the past as I do for the future and I’m an advocate for buildings being true to their time. I believe good contemporary design can co-exist alongside heritage buildings in traditional settings with each period given the respect it deserves.
I’m a big believer in design as a collaborative process and it's through close working relationships between architect and client that the best solutions are shaped."
What can clients expect when working with RDC?
"At RDC our commitment is creativity matched with commercial viability. We approach all projects on an individual basis as every scheme has a unique set of criteria that need to be responded to. Early engagement with the client is central to this process.
The topic of design can elicit great enthusiasm in a project, and this is particularly true in residential schemes. Often clients will come to us with a whole host of ideas and aspirations, and our role is to understand what they are trying to achieve and guide them through the process with confidence."
What makes designing in Lincolnshire and rural settings unique?
"Rural projects often present the opportunity to balance traditional character with contemporary design solutions. Many schemes involve existing agricultural buildings or sites with a strong connection to the local landscape, so it is important to understand both the context of the area and the planning considerations that come with it.
At RDC, we have extensive experience helping clients unlock the potential of redundant agricultural buildings and secure sustainable future uses for them. This includes a strong track record of obtaining planning consent through Class Q permitted development, enabling the conversion of agricultural buildings into high-quality residential spaces."
How do you turn a client's ideas into a successful design?
"I see our role as both collaborator and challenger. Together with our clients we carefully review initial thoughts and step by step we build the vision into something that meets their exact requirements, and hopefully surpasses their expectations.
Testing ideas, exploring opportunities and challenging assumptions are all important parts of the process. That said, as an architect, starting from a blank piece of paper is particularly exciting!"
What one piece of advice would you give to a client setting out on a project?
"I am an advocate for a feasibility study as part of the architectural process, including a preliminary budget. Testing ideas, challenging the brief and exploring opportunities are the main tools that architects employ to arrive at a final solution. A robust feasibility study has the benefit of avoiding potential issues — complexity and unforeseen costs — during the latter stages of a project.
As a multi-disciplinary practice, one of the benefits RDC offers is the ability to assess schemes against planning policy. This gives clients confidence and assurance that proposals are thoroughly considered, and are more likely to secure the approvals they need. On most projects a pre-application is a useful exercise to engage with the local planning authority. We interface closely with our planning colleagues to guide clients through this."
How do you guide clients through decision-making?
"I mentioned earlier that architecture is about problem solving, and in any project you will find a whole host of decisions that need to be made. Making sure clients feel informed and confident in making these decisions is a big part of our role. We pride ourselves on clear and proactive communication at every stage of the project."
What makes a project particularly rewarding for you?
"The biggest reward for any project is seeing an initial concept develop into a completed building and witnessing how clients bring those spaces to life. Following an idea from the first sketches through to something tangible on site is one of the most satisfying parts of being an architect.
I have always been interested in architecture that has a wider social conscience, particularly in relation to sustainability, which has rightly become an important part of the design conversation. Sustainability is not just a consideration at the design stage, but something that should influence the entire lifecycle of a building — from how it is designed and used, through to how it can be adapted or repurposed in the future."
When you look back on a completed project, what tells you it has been a success?
"For me, it’s seeing the original vision carried through from the early design stages to completion. Any architectural project needs to have a strong concept as its starting point, and while it’s inevitable that there will be challenges and changes throughout the process — from securing approvals through to construction on site — a successful project is one where the core idea and aspirations are retained as the project evolves."
