After a childhood in Scotland, John studied at the Bartlett School in 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. This experience led to a concern for the link between building technology, texture and materiality, and spatial configuration - in short, the physical expression of architectural form.

Having spent nine years with Grimshaw, he subsequently established his own practice in Manchester, Arca. The company is 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.

John has taught with the Continuity in Architecture unit since 2004, developing his interest in design techniques which regard cities and buildings as artefacts of socio-spatial activity. Working to investigate all aspects of context in a rigorous, inquisitive manner, the intention is to learn from traditional architectural means for achieving urban continuity. 

Research interests are explored through the Continuity Small Settlements Group, working with towns, villages and small settlements to characterise and synthesise distinctive places to live and work. This is achieved through Design Guides and research activities delivered in part through the postgraduate design studio. Other personal interests include the role of ornament in architectural design, as it relates to the craft and technology of building.

Academic and professional qualifications

Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)

Research

Exhibitions

Lee, S.J., 2024. Dressing Modernism, 4/3/2024 - 14/3/2024.

Stone, S., Lee, S., Sanderson, L., 2021. Bradford Reimagined, City Park, Bradford, 9/7/2021 - 31/8/2021.

Sanderson, L., Stone, S., Lee, S.J., 2019. Rochdale Reimagined, Rochdale Central Library, 25/6/2019 - 16/8/2019.

Sanderson, L., Stone, S.H., Lee, S.J., 2017. Bakewell : Some Ideas, Bakewell Town Hall, 16/6/2017.

Sanderson, L., Lee, S.J., Stone, S.H., 2017. The Way We Live Now, Bakewell Town Hall, 24/2/2017.

Sanderson, L., Stone, S.H., Lee, S.J., 2016. Bollington. Real : Imagined, Bollington Arts Centre, 22/5/2016.

Sanderson, L., Stone, S.H., Lee, S.J., 2016. Oddments and Epigrams : Interventions in Bollington, Bollington Arts Centre, 18/1/2016 - 20/1/2016.

Sanderson, L., Stone, S.H., Lee, S.J., 2013. If on a Winter's Night a Traveller : The Drawings, Cartmel Priory, 17/6/2013.

Sanderson, L., Stone, S.H., Lee, S.J., 2013. If on a Winter's Night a Traveller : The Models, RIBA HUB : Manchester, 19/6/2013.

Artefacts

Lee, S., 2022. 'New House at 547 Chester Road, Woodford'.

Lee, S.J., 2011. 'The Parkkeeper's Hut'.

Book Chapters

Lee, S., 2024. 'Ornament and Tectonics: Explorations of Expressive Construction'. In Contemporary Heritage Lexicon, Springer.

Lee, S.J., 2024. 'Ornament and tectonics: explorations of expressive construction'. In Bartolomei, C., Ippolito, A., Vizioli, S.H.T. (eds.) Contemporary Heritage Lexicon, pp. 153-174, Springer, Cham.

Lee, S.J., 2014. 'Edge, Surface and Lining'. In Amoêda, R., Lira, S. (eds.) REHAB 2014 - Proceedings of the International Conference on Preservation, Maintenance and Rehabilitation of Historical Buildings and Structures, Tomar, Portugal, 19-21 March, pp. 245-254, Green Lines Institute.

Reports

Sanderson, L., Stone, S., Lee, S.J., 2019. 'Rochdale Reimagined', MSA Press.

Sanderson, L., Stone, S., Lee, S.J., 2017. 'Bakewell : Some Ideas'.

Stone, S.H., Sanderson, L., Lee, S.J., 2017. 'Reclaiming the Road: Public Realm Improvement Proposals for Bollington in Cheshire'.

Conference Papers

Lee, S.J., 2025. 'Considerations of Frontality and Formality in Facades', 15/7/2024 - 17/7/2024, in AMPS Proceedings Series, 40 (2), pp. 10-20.

Lee, S., 2023. 'The Tides of Technologies Teaching: Personal Reflections (Keynote)', Technica Convention, Manchester, UK, 21/4/2023 - 21/4/2023, in No.

Sanderson, L., Lee, S.J., Stone, S., 2020. 'Small Settlements Research Projects', Education, Design and Practice - Understanding Skills in a Complex World, Stevens Institute, New York / New Jersey, 17/6/2019 - 19/6/2019.

Lee, S.J., Stone, S.H., Sanderson, L., 2019. 'Reclaiming the Road: People and Vehicles in Small Settlements', REHAB 2019: 4th International Conference on Preservation, Maintenance and Rehabilitation of Historical Buildings and Structures, Guimaraes, Portugal, 17/7/2019 - 19/7/2019, in REHAB 2019 Proceedings.

Lee, S.J., Stone, S., 2017. 'Teaching Continuity: New Modes for Developing Architectural Design in Historic Settlements', REHAB 2017: 3rd International Conference on Preservation, Maintenance and Rehabilitation of Historical Buildings and Structures, Braga, Portugal, 14/6/2017 - 16/6/2017, in REHAB 2017 Proceedings.

Presentations

Sanderson, L., Lee, S.J., Stone, S., 2019. 'Rochdale by Way of Venice', Manchester Business School.

Other Outputs

Lee, S., 2025. '300 word statement: Architectural Façade Composition: Tectonic & Ornamental Approaches to Urban Conditions'.

Sanderson, L., Stone, S., Lee, S.J., 2020. 'A Future for the Already Built, Portfolio'.

Lee, S., Sanderson, L., Stone, S., 2020. 'Reclaiming the Road: A Research-by-Design Approach to the Problems of Small Settlements'.

Stone, S.H., Sanderson, L.M., Lee, S.J., 2017. 'The Way We Live Now : Symposium'.

Sanderson, L., Stone, S.H., Lee, S.J., 2016. 'Time and Context'.

Stone, S.H., Lee, S.J., Sanderson, L., 2014. 'Symposium : Contextualism Dead or Alive'.