Dean is an associate architect who works in our Manchester studio. He has rich experience in the Schools and Universities sectors and has worked on a range of projects from small refurbs to large, complex schemes.
He is currently leading a project to create one of the first net zero carbon in operation schools as part of UK Government’s School Rebuilding Programme.
What’s your favourite project you’ve worked on to date?
My favourite project was my first scheme as a newly qualified architect at a previous practice. It was a small-scale extension to an existing primary school in Greater Manchester which provided me with invaluable experience. It was so rewarding to see my original design come to life and experience the positive improvement the scheme had to the school, teachers and the children.
Favourite building in your city?
I love the extension to Hallé St Peter’s Centre in Ancoats. The new Corten and brick extension provides a beautiful back drop to Cutting Room Square whilst still complementing the existing church building. It’s a great fusion between old and new.
What’s the last book you have read?
I recently read ‘Building and Dwelling: Ethics for the City’ by Richard Sennett which explores how cities can either enrich or diminish the everyday experience of those who live in them. It’s an in-depth study of the development of both ancient and 21st century cities, and explores how Paris, Barcelona and New York City assumed their modern forms.
It’s a great book and provides an interesting comparison to modern day urban design, particularly in the context of mass residential development currently seen across UK cities.
If you weren’t in this career, what would you be?
I would probably be involved in landscape gardening as I enjoy being practical, learning new skills and spending time outside. During the first lockdown, I took over a rather overgrown allotment plot and spent most of my evenings and weekends landscaping the space. I had no idea what I was doing, it was a lot of trial and error. However, two years later and I’m pretty self-sufficient during the summer months!
Favourite podcast?
My favourite go to podcast is ‘Table Manners’ with Jessie Ware and her mum Lennie Wear. They host a guest each week and have a natter over the dinner table. ‘Brydon &’ with Rob Brydon or ‘Off Menu’ with Ed Gamble and James Acaster are worth a listen too.
Industry bodies
ARB