After growing up in Scotland, John studied at the Bartlett School (University College London), graduating with a First Class BSc(Hons). He went on to complete a DipArch at UCL, concluding with a Masters in Advanced Architectural Studies, working with what is now the Space Syntax Laboratory, qualifying as an Architect in 1992. The formative experience fostered a concern for the link between building technology, texture and materiality, and spatial configuration - in short, the physical expression of architectural form.
Professionally, John spent nine years with Grimshaw in London and Manchester, subsequently in 1998 establishing his own practice in Manchester - Arca. The company became a vehicle for testing theoretical ideas through a diverse range of project types - skateparks, bridges, church conversions, sports clubs, housing and public realm design.
In 2008, John founded Y Developments, a property development company based in Cheadle working in the residential sector. He has served on North-West England’s ‘Places Matter’ Design Panel, seeking to elevate architectural design quality across the region.
Since 2004 John has taught with the Continuity Atelier at MSA, leading the teaching and research group since 2022. He has developed a broad interest in methods of design analysis and synthesis that treat cities and buildings as artefacts of socio-spatial intent. Working to investigate all aspects of context in a rigorous, inquisitive manner, the Atelier has evolved a creative, grounded teaching environment for students to explore tectonics and materiality, often with a heritage dimension.
He has undertaken research in pedagogy and urban design, with a personal interests in the role of ornament in architectural design, as it relates to the craft and technology of construction.
John is a Visiting Professor at Poznan University of Technology (Poland) where he teaches in the conservation and heritage group, and the urban design group. He has also advised the Deanery on the Faculty’s RIBA Validation. He is also a Visiting Professor at FH Münster (Germany) where he teaches in Design Studio Unit every Summer Semester.
Academic and professional qualifications
MSc (UCL), DipArch (UCL)
Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)
RIBA Chartered Architect (since 1992)
ARB Registered Architect (since 1992)
