黑洞社区

What has been your biggest career challenge?

In terms of size 鈥� undoubtedly Battersea Power Station. In terms of career path, it has been to find an area of the construction industry that really interests and excites me 鈥� I鈥檝e tried a few different avenues 鈥� construction, 鈥渞egular鈥� architecture, urban design. I don鈥檛 think I鈥檓 quite finished yet.

If you could change one thing about the industry?

Short-sightedness about the potential for historic buildings and sites to represent an opportunity for development, not a constraint.

Why did you choose construction as a career?

It sort of chose me. Architecture came first which got me part of the way and then the heritage element squared the circle. I鈥檇 always been interested in art and design alongside a deep interest in history and culture 鈥� all the stars somehow aligned and conservation architecture was something I fell into. I鈥檝e been very lucky.

What have you worked on that you鈥檙e most proud of?

We completed the first new gallery space to be added to the National Gallery for 25 years primarily to provide better access to galleries for educational purposes. The first day it opened I saw a group of schoolchildren enthralled by the curator telling the stories about the paintings 鈥� that was a proud moment for me.

Most helpful advice you were given?

My boss Marcus Adams at JTP encouraged me to do a postgraduate conservation course and the rest, as they say, is history 鈥� I ended up running it!

What鈥檚 your favourite building?

Palazzo Abatellis in Palermo is a 15th-century palazzo with 1950s interventions by Carlo Scarpa 鈥� the master. The truth is in the joint. For me that鈥檚 the narrative running through all of his work; the joint between the old and the new and even between new materials 鈥� nothing ever just butts together 鈥� the join is always expressed in some kind of way - shadow gap, extended armature, etc. Every time I go there which is every two years or so 鈥� I always notice something different.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in your profession?

Work hard, keep an open mind and your options open. If you see an opportunity go for it; volunteer for things - you never know where it will take you.You make your own luck in this world.

Who do you most admire in the construction industry?

Anyone who sticks to their principles and takes an offbeat, alternative view on redevelopment and then sees this through with utter conviction. Martyn Evans at U+I is a friend and would certainly fit this description.

If you could change one thing about the UK construction industry, what would it be?

Waste 鈥� both in terms of materials and time and effort; the former is getting better but I鈥檓 not too sure about the others.

What famous building do you wish you鈥檇 worked on?

Battersea Power Station the first time round in the 1930s. I鈥檇 like to know how they achieved such a gargantuan task so quickly with what are by modern standards primitive technologies.

What鈥檚 it like being you?

Exhausting but exhilarating. Due to the nature of work we do you never know what a building or site is going to throw at you, and you have to react quickly 鈥� and in client鈥檚 best interests.

What do you think your best quality is?

A keen sense of humour 鈥� I鈥檓 always looking for the funny side of a situation. Our time on this earth is too short not to enjoy it 鈥� you get the best results out of people if they鈥檙e having fun.

What do trait do you most dislike in yourself? And in other people?

Impatience and probably a bit of intolerance. In other people I can鈥檛 stand pedantry, which in my experience is usually based on a misplaced sense of self-importance.

Do you have a life philosophy?

We make our own luck in this world. Work hard and good things will happen鈥�

What鈥檚 your most prized possession?

I鈥檝e a pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarers that I wear all the time .

Early bird or night owl?

Night owl 鈥� I heard somewhere that some people find the wee small hours a more creative time.

What鈥檚 your favourite food?

Oysters and chablis 鈥� a friend and I decided to have a dozen oysters between us and a bottle of chablis. We staggered out some hours later having each consumed around 30 oysters, and I lost count of the amount of wine we drank.