Thoughts for the Weekend

The Emotional Blueprint. When people think of architects, they often imagine grand cathedrals, sleek skyscrapers, or avant-garde museums. It’s an enduring misconception that architects only design for the grandiose, not the everyday. But the truth is, some of the most meaningful work an architect can do happens on a smaller scale—in homes where lives are […]
Thoughts for the Weekend

Sliding Doors and the Garden Beyond. Sliding or bi-fold glass doors are one of the most requested features. They appear in glossy magazine spreads, aspirational Pinterest boards, and almost every “after” photo of a project. But why are people so drawn to them? Is it simply because they’re trendy, or is there something deeper at […]
Thoughts for the Weekend & this Week’s Links

Design Protects Value. In architecture, there’s an undeniable focus on adding value. And rightly so—homeowners often see their property as their most significant investment, and a well-designed extension or remodel can boost its worth and appeal. But another perspective usually goes unspoken: good design doesn’t just add value—it safeguards it. Consider a home with an […]
Thoughts for the Weekend & this Week’s Links

Emotional Power. When it comes to home design, we often think about practical elements—layout, flow, and functionality. But at the heart of every design decision is something much more profound: emotion. As architects, we don’t just create buildings; we create spaces that people connect with on a personal level. And that connection is often driven […]
Thoughts for the Weekend & this Week’s Links

New Year, New Columns. It’s been a while since I wrote one of these. By October last year, I’d had enough. The columns had been flowing steadily, but as the year slowed, so did I. The slower things got, the harder it was to keep up the momentum. And, just like when you stop an […]
Thoughts for the Weekend & this Week’s Links

One Penny. I’ve not had much time to write this week. I’m sure I could get ChatGPT to write me something in four seconds, but that’s not really the point, is it? I read that the government is knocking a penny off a pint. Big deal, right? Why even bother? The penny can’t be worth […]
Thoughts for the Weekend & this Week’s Links

Norman who?. After speaking to a group of students this week and seeing many blank faces when I mentioned Renzo Piano and Norman Foster, I figured it might be time for a refresher. Here are six architects from the last 100 years who everyone should know about. 1. Frank Lloyd Wright (American – 1867–1959) Wright […]
Thoughts for the Weekend & this Week’s Links

Sketching a New Tomorrow. Last night, while chatting with my friend Oliver, I stumbled upon an idea. We were discussing cities—what they are, what they should be—and before long, I was drawn into a vision. This morning, I woke up with that idea still buzzing in my head. By the time my tea had cooled, […]
Thoughts for the Weekend & this Week’s Links

Per Square Metre. As the year passes, it’s time to share my updated building cost data before December sneaks up on us. I mentioned it briefly in a newsletter earlier this year but now feels like a good time to dive into the details. I’ve been tracking and refining this data over the past few […]
Thoughts for the Weekend & this Week’s Links

Pacing Cambridge. I spent last weekend pacing around Cambridge. Why aren’t more places like it? Maybe not enough brain-boxes to go around. It’s a beautiful, charming, densely packed city with narrow streets, squares, a river with punters and thirty-one colleges. Like many of our best cities (York, Edinburgh, Durham, and Bath), Cambridge is just the […]