Laura has a particular focus on complex, mixed use urban regeneration schemes. She has a strong background in residential architecture which spans a across the private, build-to-rent and affordable sectors.
With a passionate interest in community and placemaking principles, Laura focuses on the social as well as the technical aspects of the design, driving sustainable and socially responsible principles as key pillars of our work.
Why did you choose a career in architecture?
When I was very young, my aunt (who was also an architect) took me to work with her during the summer holidays. I distinctly remember the feeling of being totally taken by the idea of drawing things that could become places and spaces. I think I must have made up my mind then, because I don’t really remember wanting to be anything other than an architect!
What’s your favourite project you’ve worked on to date?
It is generally the case that the best projects you work on are those in which the project team develop an excellent working relationship. My favourite example of this was Erith Park, a residential regeneration project in the London Borough of Bexley.
From the outset, the vision for Erith Park was to create a truly transformative community. The design team was encouraged to work collaboratively with residents and the wider stakeholder groups in order to test and develop our ideas and design proposals. This forged an extremely positive working relationship which expanded beyond the project delivery into community activation and social impact activities.
Through the life of the project, the team where able to learn from one phase to the next, improving and refining our thinking and design solutions, so that each stage of the design became more successful and cost effective. Erith Park was granted a series of regeneration awards, which is testament to the positive impact of this project within the local area.
Best book you’ve read?
The Name of the Rose, by Umberto Eco. A typical but intricate ‘who dunnit’ set in medieval times with references to Jorge Luis Borges and his Labyrinth which remind me of my younger days in Buenos Aires.
Favourite podcast?
My favourite podcast is a BBC World Service series called ’13 minutes to the Moon’ which tells the epic space exploration stories of Apollo 11 and Apollo 13 (Season 3 will focus on the Space Shuttle programme). The episodes tell the story of the people who made this possible and they are a wonderful example of teamwork, innovation, and exploration.
