Lee joined Stride Treglown as a Part 1 Architectural Assistant back in 2004. After working his way through the ranks and gaining experience in various sectors, he is now Head of Student Living.
Over the last 10+ years, Lee has delivered schemes ranging from refurbishment and change of use to new build, in both the public and private sectors. Having now worked on over 8,500 student beds, Lee has a deep understanding of what makes a successful student living scheme for both the client and, of course, the building occupiers.
What is your proudest moment?
My proudest moment, to date, is winning the South West RICS award for Twerton Mill in 2016. This project was a culmination of many years of work bringing together three sites, which historically functioned as a textile mill, into one unified student living scheme in Bath.
What is the current big trend in Student Living?
The current biggest trend in our sector is the range of spaces that we provide outside of the student bedroom. Student Living schemes have become much more than places to sleep. The notion of blended learning has made its way into the Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) market and the term blended living is now common. PBSA is much more than it used to be with a wide range of social and study spaces on offer.
If you weren’t in this career, what would you be?
After architecture my next biggest passion is astronomy. I often think if I hadn’t become an architect I would be sat alongside Prof. Brian Cox gazing at the night sky.
Pet hate?
Unusually, as an architect, I like to talk in plain English and can’t stand acronyms, overly complicated phrases or corporate jargon.
Best book you’ve read?
The Velominati: Rules of the Cog. Some interesting rules to live by whilst cycling. Some, you could even argue, apply to architecture…
Industry bodies
- RIBA
- ARB
Awards
-
Insider SW Residential Property Awards 2021 – Student Accommodation Development of the Year – Market Quarter Studios, Baldwin Street
- RICS SW Regeneration Award 2016 – Twerton Mill