According to Vitruvius, a good building should satisfy the three principles of firmitas, utilitas and venustas which translate roughly as –
Durability – it should stand up robustly and remain in good condition.
Utility – it should be useful and function well for the people using it
Beauty – it should delight people and raise their spirits
Good design is unobtrusive. Good design is honest. Good design has longevity. Good design is consequent down to the last detail. Good design is environmentally friendly. Good design is as little design as possible.
Dieter Rams
Design begins with a conversation. It is followed by a proposal – a simple sketch perhaps and continues with more, discussing and refining until the desired result is achieved. Listening is as important as talking. The process serves to establish the exact requirements of the client and proposes how they can be realised in built form.
I have worked with buildings for almost 40 years and I continue to be surprised, inspired and delighted at the creation of those new places we make for ourselves.
Selected Projects:
St Peter's Sixth Form College University Campus, Sunderland
Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College Darlington
Darlington Arts Centre Vane Terrace, Darlington
Riverside Lodge Sheltered Housing scheme, Benwell
Grangemere Close Sheltered housing Scheme, Grangetown, Sunderland
St Catherine's Housing Development Castletown, Sunderland