For Ed, it’s all about the process. From early discussions with clients and the digital development of the designs, to watching a project unfold on site, nothing beats the satisfaction of seeing a process through from start to finish.
Ed is a Regional Director and Head of Creative Reuse. He leads university and healthcare projects across the practice. He also leads one of three studios in our Bristol office.
What is your favourite project to date?
I have a couple of favourites. Firstly, a large residential project located in Leigh Woods, which I took on not long after I qualified. The client put a lot of faith in my design ability and I was very fortunate to receive that level of trust so early on in my career. I learnt a lot from going on site every week and talking through everything with the principal builder. He mentored me about how buildings really go together and encouraged me to think about what it is you are actually drawing. Overall, the project progressed my technical learning massively. Secondly, the refurbishment of the University of Reading’s library has also been hugely rewarding. It was a complex and challenging job that I immersed myself in for over five years. Most of Stride Treglown’s disciplines were involved and it was a proper team effort. It has been well received by both students and staff.
What is your proudest moment?
Qualifying as an architect after 10 years of education and training. Because I did a dual award town planning and architecture course, I took four years to complete my part 1 rather than the traditional three. The whole course takes a lot of will power and stamina, but I am so proud now to call myself an architect.
What is the greatest invention ever?
The internet; it has transformed the way we work. You can do a virtual site visit from your desk now, we don’t have to travel across the country, and it has allowed us to think about context a lot more. Architecture is all about people, context and sustainability.
If you weren’t an architect, what would you be?
I’d love to have been a cricketer, but I wasn’t good enough to reach the standard expected.
Pet hate?
I hate acronyms and the use of jargon. Speak in plain English please.
Industry bodies:
- ARB
- RIBA