PROFILE

ArrowChristophe is an anglo-french architect who was brought up in Paris before moving in 1979 to London where he now lives and works. He studied at the Architectural Association, London, where he gained his architectural diploma in 1986. His formative years were spent working in a variety of London practices which included Foster and Partners, Ian Ritchie, Troughton McAslan, Branson Coates and Ron Arad Architects.

In 1995 he joined Will Alsop’s practice, Alsop and Stormer, where he worked for 10 years as a director, managing, amongst others, the Peckham Library (winner of the RIBA Stirling Prize 2000), the Blizzard Building for the Queen Mary Research laboratory in Whitechapel, the winning design for the Fourth Grace in Liverpool and the Manchester Millennium Village framework plan.

In 2004, Christophe established and co-founded the architectural, landscape and urban design practice, Studio Egret West, with urban designer partner David West.

Christophe aims to convey his vision through his sketches and paintings, looking whenever possible to root a new design within an existing context. His approach tends to favour evolving aggregated forms over finite monoliths, reflecting the belief that buildings should remain easily adaptable.

He is a frequent lecturer in architectural matters on subjects including residential developments and sustainable communities. He is a visiting lecturer and critic at many universities in the UK and abroad. He also sits on member advisory boards including CABE and the RIBA Trust.

ArrowDavid is a Planner and Urban Designer specialising in Urban Visions and Strategic Framework plans. Since graduating from Manchester University/TUDelft, Holland, David’s experience has been diverse and world wide. Previously at Alsop, he established and directed the ‘BIG Architecture’ group which formulated a series of radical urban strategies that genuinely challenged conventional or ingrained thinking about places. Early work at
Alsop included the planning aspects of the Rotterdam Centraal Masterplan and the Strategic Urban Design Frameworks for New Cross Gate, Lewisham and Leicester. Then lifestyle orientated, mixed use schemes for New Islington (Manchester Millennium Village), currently on site. More recently he was the project director of the multi layered Bradford Centre Regeneration Masterplan (from 16*16km, to 8*8km to 2*2km), The Northampton Cultural Mile Initiative and the Strategic Framework Plans for both Walsall Waterfront and the 250 acre Middlehaven Docks, Middlesbrough. Prior to working at Alsop, David worked for Atkins on numerous projects including a 270km Tourism/Coastal Development Strategy for Shenzhen, China; a conceptual masterplan for a 500,000 inhabitant Saadiyat Maritime City in Abu Dhabi; and the Bahian Settlement Guide in Brazil.

Having set up Studio Egret West with Christophe Egret in 2004, David has led the practice’s work to create a new sustainable community around Middlehaven Docks in Middlesbrough; conceptualised a 1 million sqm masterplan for St Petersburg Railway Lands; masterplanned Nottingham Science Park, and the strategic framework plans for Maze Long Kesh in Belfast; South Shields Riverside and the Queen Mary College Campuses. In addition he was responsible for the A1 Corridor to Community Project for LB of Islington; a borough wide public realm strategy.

David sits on the CABE London 2012 Design Review Panel.

ArrowLucas is an associate director in the studio. In the six years at the studio he has led an array of large scale projects ranging from urban design to single architectural schemes. These include a variety of mixed use developments incorporating, housing, office spaces, healthcare, libraries and leisure centres. Recently Lucas has led the detailed planning application for 140 new homes in a £35m mixed use scheme in London called Clapham One and is currently leading the construction of Park Hill which includes 400 new homes along with extensive landscape and commercial spaces.

Lucas has a keen interest and role to play in the future architecture of the UK, demonstrated in wide ranging experience of developing housing typologies that are specific to individual briefs. This includes meeting challenges of high density family housing (at Holt Town, Manchester), creating exciting new apartments for inner city sites to bring new ideas to the market, and responding to the sensitivities of the future suburbia.

Lucas has a keen interest in the construction process and enjoys the challenge of realising innovative designs and complex uses of materials. Lucas is currently leading the post planning phases of over 600 homes in various projects and mixed use developments.

Prior to joining the studio Lucas worked mainly in smaller architectural practices, His major projects included a $6m art gallery in the USA where he was responsible for the construction of this high quality building. When the building was completed Lucas motorcycled from Tokyo to London on a trip that crossed half the globe, he now claims to be the first person ever to cross Siberia on a motorcycle...

ArrowJames is an associate director architect. Prior to joining the studio in 2006, James worked for Alsop Architects where he was part of the BIG Architecture team developing the Manchester Millennium Village as well as working on the Liverpool Fourth Grace scheme.

He is the Project Architect of the Park Hill project, Sheffield, which is Europe's largest listed structure and is one of English Heritage's ‘20 Best Heritage-Led Developments’. He has been involved in the project since its inception, through the planning stages and is currently working on the project on site. Which is due to be completed in 2011. The project aims to regenerate what had become one of Britain's most disliked housing estates through imaginative interventions and intelligent use of colour and materials.

In the Studio, he has also been involved in the competition winning Sail project, in West Kirby and the Transporter Building, which is part of the Middlehaven Masterplan.

James is a graduate of the Bartlett School of Architecture, where he gained a distinction for his final year diploma project (date). The proposal was for a school situated in Venice, constructed using traditional vernacular wood carving techniques from reclaimed and locally grown timber.

James is also a tutor of architectural computer design at University College London. Where he teaches computer design techniques to degree students.

ArrowVincent is an architect specialising in mixed-use developments, transport and infrastructure, sports facilities, and masterplanning.
He recently joined the studio in June 2011. In addition to his architectural role, he is charged with international business development to capitalise on SEW’s award-winning portfolio.

Prior to joining Studio Egret West, Vincent developed a diverse portfolio at Alsop Architects covering a wide range of construction sectors and geographical regions. His in-depth knowledge of complex geometry and fluency in computer-aided design skills along with close collaboration with specialist contractors has proved invaluable for the successful delivery for several high profile landmark schemes. With his excellent communication skills and being particularly well-versed at interpreting complex briefs to delivering innovative design solutions, Vincent quickly became Project Architect running schemes such as Steeles West Underground Station in Toronto, Putney Place in London, De Calypso in Rotterdam, and the Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal.

Vincent studied architecture at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London and received his Dip Arch in 2003.

Vincent is also a guest design critic at the Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL and University of Nottingham.

ArrowCecilia is a planner and urban designer with 5 years post graduate working experience who trained as an architect before coming to London to study at the Bartlett, UCL, where she graduated with a distinction in 2006.

Since joining Studio Egret West in 2007, Cecilia has been involved in a wide range of mixed-use schemes and public realm projects:
Most recently, she has been focusing on the Outline Planning Application for Surrey Canal – London’s Sporting Village in North Lewisham, proposing a comprehensive new mixed-use neighbourhood of up to 2,500 homes and a range of communal and commercial elements, based around a new regional centre of sporting excellence.

She was the design team project manager for the Stratford Town Centre Public Realm Project, delivering a series of public realm interventions (including a 450metre long kinetic sculpture) to regenerate and consolidate Stratford Island in time for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Cecilia was also involved in the Outline Planning Application for the 35 Ha South Shields Riverside Framework Plan, including the design of the 10 Ha New Shore Park, featuring walkways, viewing platforms overlooking the River Tyne, and outdoor activity areas and event spaces.

She has also made conceptual masterplans for six new districts of an expanded city region in Langfang, China, worked on Phase 2 and 3 of the Greater Middlehaven Project in Middlesbrough including a 30 Ha public realm strategy, developed an urban design strategy for the renewal of a postwar estate in Royal Tunbridge Wells, and produced a framework plan for a new eco development in Northern Ireland comprising 350 homes, a series of commercial and cultural/heritage elements, and a renewed public realm.

ArrowTom is a landscape architect with ten years experience in a wide variety of landscape related projects. Since joining SEW in 2009, he has led the landscape design team providing a unique service in the studio.In the past, Tom worked at Martha Schwartz Partners with creative designers to implement imaginative landscapes and works to ensure that the same ethos continues for Studio Egret West.

Tom’s key project has been the Tolworth Greenway Scheme where a design competition presented a visually congested, car dominated environment where the A3 corridor separates the high street from the train station. Tom’s winning colourful bold design using bright green resin bound gravel is currently undergoing consultation with Royal Borough of Kingston and Transport for London to allow three major moves: removing the pedestrian barriers, creating a central greenway where people can cross freely and then a bridge to cross the roundabout easier. Other key landscape projects have included Strood Streetscape/River Medway Connection, Pebble Mill Science Park, Ponders End Recreation Ground, Stratford Public Realm Improvement Scheme, Bromley North Village, Waltham Cross and Purple Hayes Mixed Use Development.

Tom has a Bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture [Hons] from Ball State University, Indiana.

ArrowGemma is an Architect with 6 years experience in a wide variety of architecture and masterplanning related projects. She joined Studio Egret West in 2009, since joining she has lead and been part of a team on a variety of projects, from large scale masterplans to small scale bespoke developments. Some of the key projects she has been involved with at SEW have included; the design for a new business centre in Bostwana, Africa, the development for a new bridge at East Croydon station and a planning application for a new science park and private hospital building in Birmingham.

Gemma’s most recent project has been leading a team for the detail design and construction for the award winning Clapham One building. It is a mixed use building housing 143 flats, a large healthcare centre and new public library. Her particular focus has been on the innovative library, formed from a continuous ramp of learning, where all the rooms are accessed from the main spiral. Clapham One is currently on site and due for completion in early 2012.

Prior to joining Studio Egret West Gemma graduated with a commendation from the Bartlett School of Architecture. She previously worked at Peter Barber Architects for 2 years working on numerous award winning housing projects, the largest being Tanner Street Gateway, a 150 unit street based housing scheme in Barking in East London, where she saw the project through to completion. She then worked for Rick Mather Architects as a key member of the design team for a large sustainable redevelopment of central Milton Keynes.

ArrowStefan is an architect with experience in a wide variety of projects across the UK. In the four years since joining Studio Egret West, he has worked on developments at a variety of scales including: The regeneration of Park Hill; Europe’s largest listed building, and one of English Heritages 20 Best Heritage-led developments. Having been involved in the project since the planning stage, he is currently on site, with the project due for completion early 2013. The design of a £21m footbridge as part of phase one of the East Croydon Masterplan. East Croydon station is the second busiest interchange station in the UK (behind Clapham Junction) and the eighth most used station in the UK. Large scale housing developments in Gateshead and Goresbrook Village, smaller scale public art schemes such as the Stratford Shoal, as well as competitions in London, Moscow Istanbul and Vancouver.

Stefan graduated with distinction from the University Of Manchester School Of Architecture in 2009 receiving international student awards for his thesis project ‘Bio-City’ a high rise mixed use development, concentrated around the closed loop production of bio fuel within the buildings photo-synthetic façade.

With a keen interest in the future of urban development both within and outside the UK stefan enjoys developing housing typologies specific to individual briefs, while meeting the challenges of high density urban life. Prior to joining the studio Stefan worked in small architectural practices, with major works concentrated around the  design of a £14m Healthcare centre in Widness as part of the LIFT North West Development Scheme, where he was responsible for the construction of the cladding system and internal fit-out.

While not in the studio, Stefan can normally be found trying to learn Spanish, or cycling, swimming and running as he has a keen interest in triathlon.

ArrowBrian is an architectural assistant with over 3 years experience working on a wide range of projects and a Masters in Urban Design. He joined SEW in 2011 and has since worked on a variety of projects at both an architectural and urban scale including the winning Masterplan for Sittingbourne Town Centre, the design of 132 residential units in Hayes and currently the masterplan for a 1,500,000 sqft mixed use development of the former EMI Headquarters now known as The Old Vinyl Factory.

Brian moved to London to pursue his interest in urban design in 2009 where he studied Urban Design at the University of East London, graduating with a distinction for his masters. His thesis focused on the Islamic city of Marrakech where he explored the relationship between the urban form of the city and the surrounding hinterland to create a sustainable model for urban expansion in an arid climate.

Prior to moving to London Brian worked for two and half years in Ireland. Upon graduating he began working for HKR Architects. He worked on a number of medium and large scale projects in both Ireland and Eastern Europe. He then worked for Eco2 Architects where he worked on the design of a number of low energy private houses. Brian graduated with his Part 2 from University College Dublin in 2007, part of which included a year studying at the Hochshule Liechtenstein.

ArrowAllie is an architectural assistant, having joined Studio Egret West in 2011. She is currently involved in Hayes master planning and feasibility/concept design for pipeline projects. Prior to joining SEW, she worked as an engineer for Amgen in Ventura, running front end planning of process flow facilities, plant expansion, and research/manufacturing centres across California, Puerto Rico, and Ireland. She later worked for the Santa Monica firm, AkarStudios, where she focused on the interior developments of several international airports, the retrofit of a Beverly Hills Hotel, and design on several Los Angeles restaurants. Aside she has consulted for the digital animation studio Unit 9 in Italy, competition bids with Andrew Porter and Christine Hawley in London, architectural narration with Curt Illingworth Architects in California, and various construction projects in Central America.

Allie completed her Bachelor of Architecture at the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and the California State University in Firenze. Her thesis was on the use of tensional integrity structure to integrate adjacent high school and wetland park parcels on Los Angeles city centre site. She completed her Master of Architecture in 2011 at the University College London's Bartlett School of Architecture with a design thesis focused on proposals for cohesive working relations between designers and clients, particularly the testing of more effective methods of design realization.

ArrowRichard is an architectural assistant with 3 years experience in a wide variety of architectural and masterplanning projects. He joined Studio Egret West in 2010 and has worked on projects at a variety of scales including: an outline planning application at Surrey Canal for the development of 2,500 homes, commercial, retail and sporting amenities around the existing Millwall FC stadium in southeast London; a strategic transport interchange and public realm study for the new Custom House Crossrail station in east London; detailed design and planning submission for a 130 room hotel near Bromley South station; as well as competitions in London, Beijing, Hong Kong, Moscow, Nicosia and Vancouver.

Richard graduated with distinction from the University Of Sheffield School Of Architecture in 2009 and received an RIBA medal for his thesis project ‘The State of the North Sea’. He previously worked at E.R.A. Architects in Toronto, Canada, working on large scale heritage projects including Transformation AGO alongside Gehry International, and a heritage planning study for the 58 storey L Tower development by Studio Daniel Libeskind. He has also previously worked at Pollard Thomas Edwards Architects in London on the construction package for a 64 unit housing development in Hampstead, North London.

ArrowPeter is an urban designer, he joined Studio Egret West in 2012 and is currently working on a masterplan for 4,000 homes in south London. Prior to SEW Peter worked at Rivington Street Studio on projects for City University and London South Bank University.

Peter has trained as an architect but followed his undergraduate studies with an MA in Urban Design at the University of East London. His thesis, a design project based in Marrakech, detailed an attempt to stitch together disparate urban forms using a new housing typology that drew on common aspects of the surrounding city.

Alongside his Part II at London Metropolitan University, Peter also studied MA Spatial Planning and Urban Design. The course was jointly run with Design for London with the aim of 'reviving the notion of the planner-architect.' His thesis explored effective methods of proposition and response in major infrastructure projects.

ArrowPiera is a fully qualified architect with 5 years postgraduated experience on Italian and International projects. During the academic studies she focused on regeneration strategies and large scale developments, and as a student she spent a semester at the UCL Bartlett School of Planning in London within the Erasmus Eurotraining Programme, where she improved her skills and knowledge of urban design.

Since graduating from the University of Rome in Italy, her experience has been diverse and world wide, from architectural schemes to large scale projects. As a highly-motivated designer within landscape architecture, she has undertaken professional experiences within leading European offices such as the Landscape firm Proap, Projectos de Arquitectura Paisagista Lda, based in Lisbon, Portugal. There she worked as part of an international team, taking part to current projects as well as international competitions, being involved in all the design stages, from first concept to finished product. Specifically she has been coordinating several projects based in Italy, under the only guidance of the office director, taking part to clients’ meetings and maintaining working relationship with both internal and external staff.

She has recently joined the Studio Egret West offering an eclectic profile that soar across architecture and urban design, masterplanning, landscape and sustainability.

ArrowDavid is a model maker from the Wimbledon School of Art with 28 years experience working in architecture, film & television, product prototypes, display and exhibition and theatre.

His extensive experience of architectural model making includes projects with Fosters, ALSOP, Zaha Hadid, Aedas, David Adjaye Associates and Hawkin Brown. David's intuitive ability to grasp project briefs, his wealth of expertise with a wide variety of materials and new technology and his passion for photography have seen him become an integral member of Studio Egret West.

Since joining the studio, David has worked on a diverse range of high profile projects including the Stratford Town Centre Public Realm where his work has been essential in developing and materializing the artistic and creative potential of the Studio's design process as well extensively used in client and community consultations.

An ongoing project of David is the expansion of the model making facilities at Studio Egret West.

ArrowTheo is an architectual assistant and designer with the concern to create architectures and environments that stimulate and intrigue their inhabitants, He joined Studio Egret West in early October 2012, and has already worked on a number of bids at the micro and macro scale, working closely with clients to create exciting schemes.

He has previously worked at Alsop architects, working on mixed-use and transport and infrastructure projects in the UK, Canada, Germany and Vietnam, including a bid for a park development above Union Station in Dubai which interwove landscape with museums, offices, retail and the station below. He worked on the CA$150 million Finch West underground Station and bus terminal in Toronto. Incorporating sculptural elements texture and colour the scheme vibrantly engaged the streetscape above and the subterranean environment of the Spadina line extension in collaboration with artist Bruce Maclean. He has also worked on the De Vere Gardens residential development for David Chipperfield Architects and worked since he was seventeen at Make Architects. 

Theo studied for his undergraduate and masters degree in architecture at the Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL, graduating in 2012. His satirical thesis project provided the Wall Street headquarters for a speculative financial company that buys and sells the air above New York. 

Theo is also a Jazz musician and cartoonist.

ArrowLucy is as an Architectural Assistant and joined Studio Egret West in October 2012 working on feasibility/concept design projects. Prior to joining SEW Lucy worked for Featherstone Young. Over a period of three years, she worked on a range of projects; from one off private residential homes, to public arts buildings and an advertising agency, many of which required a high level of bespoke design, and allowed her to gain valuable site experience.

After completing her Bachelor of Architecture at the University of Brighton in 2008, Lucy went on to complete her Masters of Architecture at the University of Westminster in 2012.  Her design thesis focused on (re)adjusted territories in Marseille, creating a municipal scheme to choreograph the interplay of the cities functions and characters. Her dissertation focused on the regeneration of the Heygate Estate in South East London and led to a deepened interest in the future of social housing and the role that architecture and urban design can play in this.

ArrowIlia is our IT manager.

ArrowPauline is our Operations Manager with 7 years experience working in an architectural environment. Since joining SEW Pauline has been responsible for the management of SEW’s operations which encompasses HR/ personnel management, bid co-ordination, office management, marketing administration and events management.

Previously, Pauline worked at Zaha Hadid Architects, supporting the then 120 staff and being the first point of contact for IT support; implementation of the archive system and gained inceptive experience as a HR Administrator. Pauline’s ambition at SEW is to provide, promote and sustain an outstanding working environment for our employees and clients.

Pauline has a Level 3 CIPD Certificate in Personnel Practice and a NEBOSH NGC3 Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety: Practical Application.

ArrowNikki moved to London in 2012 to join Studio Egret West as the in house Graphic Designer. She has responsibility for the production of all Studio Egret West publications and reports. She also gets involved in establishing brands and communication strategies for projects and places. Recent work includes preparing the consultation materials and identity for Millharbour Village, the documentation for the transformation of the Aylesbury Estate and the overarching brand for the No.1 National Shipyard in Chepstow.

After graduating from Kingston University with a Graphic Design degree, Nikki worked in Sri Lanka teaching at various schools around the country. After returning, she went on to work at Planit Landscape Architects in Manchester as the in-house graphic designer.

ArroSally is our accounts manager.