Something came up recently which caused me to think. I was discussing a new project with a client and they asked an interesting question: If I had one piece of advice to give them at the start of their upcoming project, what would it be?

Mapperton appears as a timeless jewel, unchanged for generations. However this is, of course, an illusion and finding ways to keep this historic place in use has required much careful planning over recent years. The first stages of these plans are just starting to be implemented...

You may have come in to this world fully charged with a mission to do something or you may have stumbled in to your life’s work. Chances are, though, it was a conscious decision to do something particular having been inspired by someone or something.

Some architects are control freaks and like to present their work as inevitable. As if everything had been intended. I prefer architecture that reflects life. You know, full of good intentions but a bit messy, more complicated and ultimately more interesting.

Can you imagine the medieval stonemason at work, high up on his precarious timber scaffold?

The One Chair Project is the initiative of Chester-based photographer, Sam Riley. The people of Chester were asked to nominate a person to the CHAIR. A cultural hero, an inspiration to others but mainly someone who was adding to the contemporary culture of the city.

Critical comment is really important for anyone who wants to get better at what they do. That much is obvious. But is enough done to encourage it? Do we know how best to give it when others need it? And do you we know what to do with it when we receive it ourselves?

All architects plans must have a north point. It provides your orientation. You need to be able to imagine the building relative to the movement of the sun. It's fundamental. It's Architecture 101.