Evenhay Farm conversion near Ludlow
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO PURSUE A CAREER IN ARCHITECTURE?
ASK THE ARCHITECT
Matt Spinks from fast-rising Shropshire practice Johnson Design Partnership, answers ADF’s questions on his architectural journey from assistant to director, leadership challenges, and his vision for growing sustainable design.
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK
From a young age I was intrigued about what my Grandad did as a draftsman, I’ve always had an interest in how things are built and structured, and that curiosity grew into a passion for architecture. At school and sixth form I attended work experience at two or three local practices – from that point on I knew that I wanted to pursue architecture.
I was fascinated by the relationship between design and functionality. I got started by studying architecture at university (Portsmouth for my degree and De Montford, Leicester for my Masters), where I was exposed to both the technical and creative aspects of the fi eld. Between my degree and masters I worked for 12 months as part of my training at a practice in Wolverhampton where I was exposed to a range of projects ranging from industrial projects and sports stadiums to schools.
Then after I fi nished my Masters, in 2004 I began working at Johnson Design Partnership, and I haven’t looked back, gradually taking on more responsibility as I gained experience.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT WORKING AT JOHNSON DESIGN PARTNERSHIP? We have an amazing team; everyone has your back and we support each other. The
vast array of projects we work on is really exciting, from a small domestic extension through to a new hospital ward. I truly value the collaborative
environment at Johnson Design Partnership. It’s a place where ideas fl ow freely, and everyone is encouraged to contribute.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGE YOU’VE FACED DURING YOUR JOURNEY TO BECOMING A DIRECTOR? One of the biggest challenges has been balancing the creative and operational aspects of the role.
As I’ve advanced in the practice, I’ve needed to develop strong leadership skills, manage client relationships, and ensure projects are delivered on time and on budget, all while maintaining the design integrity and vision of the fi rm.
WHICH PROJECTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO?
I’m particularly proud of a few projects where we’ve been able to design buildings that not only meet the client’s needs but also positively impact the surrounding community. The very fi rst project I was involved with at Johnson Design was a new primary school – Upton Meadows primary in Northampton, which was partly funded by the Prince’s Foundation and offi cially opened by King Charles in 2007.
ADF FEBRUARY 2025
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