Pierre has 25 years of international design and consulting experience, having worked in the UK, The Netherlands, Germany, Spain and Japan.
He has been a Board Trustee of the RIBA and is a past President of the Royal Society of Architects in Wales. Pierre has a Masters in Business Administration and specialises in aligning building design with clients’ business goals.
He heads up our technology and innovation sector, tying together our strengths in university research centres, technology parks and high-value engineering facilities.
Pierre, what are the current challenges facing the tech and innovation sector?
Designing for adaptability, and designing around the emerging Circular Economy agenda. Architects are realising that buildings are not all permanent monuments but collections of components with varying shelf lives.
And what is the current big trend?
Everyone thinks everything is moving off-site. They’re probably right, but I also think there might be a backlash against it and a (partial) return to on-site craftsmanship.
What is your favourite project to date?
It’s also my most hated project, but it’s the one I cut my teeth on and learnt the most from: the new offices for Pringle Brandon Architects in London. Being project architect for the new home of a firm of architects is a stress fest, but it taught me a huge amount (not least to check that the drains aren’t filled with builders’ rubble before the grand champagne opening).
Best book you’ve ever read?
On architecture it would be Christopher Alexander’s A Pattern Language because it puts people at the centre of design thinking. And then there’s Austerlitz by W.G. Sebald; it is the truest account I’ve ever read of what it feels like to fumble around for meaning in life.
Who is your biggest career influence?
John Worthington, co-founder of DEGW, because he was wonderful to work with, has never lost his curiosity, and is so good at encouraging people to follow their path.
Industry Bodies:
- Pierre writes and speaks regularly on design issues
- He has been a judge for RIBA, Civic Trust and Constructing Excellence Wales Innovation awards
- He sits on the Constructing Excellence Wales Procurement Steering Group
Awards:
- Insider Wales Architectural Firm of the year 2019 and 2020
- The General Offices, Ebbw Vale, RICS Conservation Project of the Year 2012
- Swansea University Constructing Excellence Wales Integration and Collaboration Award 2012