In 2020, I moved home unexpectedly—job gone, visa expired, plans unravelled. Architecture, like much of the world, was in freefall. I hadn’t led a project yet, and didn’t feel like I had a story worth sharing.

Nearly five years on, uncertainty has returned. Redundancies are looming. But I’m not where I was then. I’ve built firmer ground—emotionally, financially, professionally.

This letter is for the version of me who didn’t yet know that. Who kept going anyway.

Over the past year, the UK architecture and construction industries have faced unprecedented regulatory and economic pressure. The combined effects of the Building Safety Act 2022, the implementation of Gateways 2 and 3, and deteriorating global market conditions are contributing to a landscape of delayed projects, financial strain, and—most acutely—a growing threat to job security within architectural practice.

On April 3, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump reintroduced sweeping tariffs on imported goods, triggering an economic response with significant global implications. A 10% blanket tariff on all U.S. imports will take effect imminently, followed by elevated tariffs of up to 54% on goods from countries with trade surpluses with the U.S., including China and the European Union

The ongoing debate over modernist and traditional architecture in the UK reflects deep cultural, historical, and economic tensions. While architects admire Brutalism for its material honesty and sculptural forms, the public tends to favor buildings that feel familiar and welcoming. This divide extends beyond personal taste and into broader political and financial realities, shaping not only urban landscapes but also policy decisions and public sentiment.

Towards the end of last year, I returned to Hong Kong for a few weeks. Though the trip was under unfortunate circumstances, it was a chance to reconnect—with the city’s flavors, its milder winter, and, most strikingly, its exceptional public transportation.

Sharing this isn’t easy, but I remind myself that architecture is about people, life, and emotion. The pain of betrayal—family members fighting over an inheritance that isn’t theirs—has made this sad process even more drawn out and bitter. In cutting them out, I’ve lost not just one life, but several in my heart.

Earlier this October, a group of us from CGL had the opportunity to visit Palliser Road, a Southern Housing Group project in Barons Court, West London. Situated next to the historic Queen’s Tennis Club, this development will see the transformation of Ada Lewis House into 36 mixed-tenure homes, centered around a landscaped courtyard designed to foster community.

For years, I've dedicated my work to envisioning more humane and inclusive cities, yet the question of urban transformation took on a personal resonance during my aunt’s recent visit to London.

At Child Graddon Lewis, a small team of us were assigned the task of exploring the Reimagine London prompt through illustrations on our shopfront windows. My concept, titled "I Am Not a Robot," unexpectedly captured the team’s interest. This project not only taught me valuable lessons in project management but also allowed me to explore illustration on a much larger, more public scale than ever before. This illustration series is currently work in progress, with updates to come. 

The building approval processes in New York and London offer a fascinating contrast in how two global cities approach urban development. Both prioritize public consultation and sustainability, but New York’s rigid zoning system stands in sharp contrast to London’s more flexible, policy-driven approach.

This post explores the pivotal role of Design and Access Statements (DAS) in shaping London's urban landscape and contrasts it with New York's zoning-driven approach.

Since joining Child Graddon Lewis, one of the best things that I was introduced to was the concept of a MMM - an opportunity for members of staff to share aspects of their personal stories, architectural or otherwise to the team, in any way you would like,  without the stress of the interview format. I had the opportunity to present my MMM in June - 3 months into joining - nervewracking yes, but also a good opportunity to reflect on this meandering journey. Here is mine, so far.

I recently had the privilege of leading the organization of the final lecture at the Serpentine Pavilion featuring this year's designer, Lina Ghotmeh.

This project has been a culmination of all the skills I have learned over the years from leadership, coordination and professional practice. The most applicable skills came from the small renovation projects at Gensler - ‘patch & match’ projects where there were so many details to capture and many odds and ends were new/re-used/relocated.

Thank you so much to everyone that came (and tried to come) to the show. I am also flattered to be awarded the Head of Programme Award for my work and contributions to the college.

We invited Charlie from the Future Architect’s Front (FAF) to speak for our series, whose contact was shared through a professor of our’s. I was first introduced to Charlie’s work during the height of the pandemic when I was still residing in the US. His account on Instagram shared anecdotes about the long hours and exploitative conditions that I was all too familiar with. These serious topics were shared in the language of digestible pop culture: cynical/tongue in cheek architecture industry related memes designed to be glanced at for about a millisecond.

I have been hired to breathe new life into a two bedroom property located in South West London. The Victorian property was subdivided into three separate flats, but a previous renovation in 2006 was poorly done, leaving the flat in desperate need of refurbishment. My task is to reimagine and revitalize this space to create a comfortable home for a young, creative professional.

Before the exams, we had a review session to check our progress before the final exam in June. The review was attended by a limited audience, including Tania Lopez Winkler and guest critic Jim Eyre, who served on the panel.

One of the highlights of being a student again has been running Inside/Out. I find it inspiring from a design perspective and enjoy listening to our guests' "starting out" stories, which are often a little clumsy and unexpected. Recently, I was disappointed to learn that I didn't get a job I really wanted. I had put a lot of thought and effort into the application, but unfortunately, the position was removed before I even started due to uncertain market conditions.

We hosted an Inside/Out lecture with Carmody Groarke last night. Lukas Barry (Associate Director) centered his lecture around 3 projects. I most admire how the studio has a resourceful approach to design, and how these ideas have translated into a low impact attitude to making longer lasting architecture that looks to retain, reuse and reinvent our collective built heritage.