Design skills are in John’s blood. His father is an architect and his mother a fine artist, while he himself is a first-class freehand draughtsman. Since he joined the practice in 1996, John has been able to work on many stimulating projects involving a variety of building types, from churches and castles to derelict farmhouses. He particularly relishes the challenge of designing bold new structures that relate sensitively to nearby historic buildings.
John also designs his own furniture, and this talent forms part of the mix of creative services the practice is able to offer clients. He has designed a lectern as part of a project for Canterbury Cathedral, seating for Charleston Farmhouse in Sussex and various commissioned items for the National Trust at Sissinghurst, where the practice has added a boathouse in the Arts & Crafts style.
A keen promoter of alternative technologies and sustainable building techniques, John takes a pragmatic approach to each project, remaining sensitive to the client’s needs and aspirations. His deep understanding of sustainability issues allows John to provide advice to colleagues throughout the practice. Describing himself as a ‘DIY fanatic’, he has constructed an experimental earth building as part of a personal research project.
The ‘people’ side of his job is also extremely important to John and he continues to find huge satisfaction in working as part of a team.
‘It is always a great pleasure to work closely with clients who share my interest in design quality and the relationship between buildings and the environment.’