Design should be beautiful, creative, and practical. Getting that balance right is key. I have always been passionate about drawing, and at school I enjoyed all aspects of design, both art and technical drawing, so architecture was a natural progression. One of the early roles in my career involved moving an entire retail chain from paper design to CAD, which meant not only implementing new systems but also educating people on the value of the technology and helping shift their mindset. I am particularly interested in the move towards BIM and how we can use it more effectively. It is exciting to now be at a firm that embraces technology and has a dedicated BIM Manager.
For me, excellent design is always conscious of its environment; a well-designed building can both stand out and complement its surroundings. Equally important is ensuring that buildings are user-friendly. A successful design fulfills the brief and meets the needs of the end user so they can get the most out of the building.
