How do we make things, buildings, structures, facades, objects?, How does the process of making, the technology that we have or that may evolve influence the way that we think about and use materials? Much of my research and professional activities have been concerned with these questions. Since graduating I have found myself drawn to posts and projects where issues of materials and he design of systems have been explicit or embedded. Working with many different materials and processes in quite different contexts. From my doctorate in developing new forms of brick construction then wotking in research and development in the construction industry with pre-cast concrete, metal systems, building facades, curtain walling and other manufactured components amd systems. On joining the School of Architecture I became interested in the transfer and application of system from the the automotive industry to buildings and recieved a number of grants from the RCUK, Industry and Enterprise Agencies on the development of mechanical clinching. I then became more involved in off-site manufacture and in the development of systems for re-cladding buildings with the Steel Construction Institute.

My interest in masonry led my to the work of the Uruguayn Engineer Eladio Dieste, he created a new language of construction and architecture using traditional brick that was culturally appropriate, sustainable and techniocally sophisiticated. I have research his work extensively, through archival and field study, interview, mdelling and construction study and led to the first english langauge momograph on his work.

The use of flexible textile formworks has been a majpr interest for the last few years. We have been researching new methdos fo construction through full scale prototype construction in our specially developed Architecural research workshop. Throigh an extended series of studios we senior architectural students, many new techniques and systems have been devreloped. Working with the School of Engineering, highly efficient structures for beams, columns and shells have been developed and tested. The span of the work encompasses projects with MArch Students, Masters and PhD as well as some built works. 

Light weight building systems using steel and plywood. Working with Martec Engineering we have developed a new light weight easily assembled and disassembled structural system that uses waste plywood. Recent work has demonstrated the systems out performs existing engineered timber systems.