From his early aspirations of becoming an architect at the age of 12 to tackling inequality through design, Andrew Jackson sits down with us to share his architectural approach. In this exclusive interview, he also discusses thoughts on pressing industry topics such as net zero, building regulations, skills shortages, and the impact of artificial intelligence in architecture.
Meet Andrew Jackson, a RIBA chartered architect with diverse experience and interests in retrofit, collaborative architecture, and research & development. He honed his skills at the Manchester School of Architecture and TU Delft, before working on several high-profile projects including the Manchester Engineering Campus and the St Michaels development.
Beyond his impressive portfolio, Andrew is an active educator, mentoring students on the master's in architecture + urbanism course at Manchester and coordinating the lecture series for the Manchester Society of Architects.
Andrew, who runs his own architecture practice, has centred much of his work around retrofit and the offering of green, cost-effective solutions for neglected buildings.
In this Q&A blog, we sit down with him to delve into his career journey, influences, industry challenges and current trends.
Q. Hi Andrew. So, tell us what inspired your career in architecture?
A. I had a passion for mathematics and science, and deep appreciation for art. When I was 12, my dad suggested I consider architecture, and the idea just stuck. The turning point came when my mum, who was a librarian at Levenshulme Library, mentioned that the architect Norman Foster dropped in to pay a visit. I started to research his work which fascinated me. He came from the same part of Manchester and showed there are no limitations. This curiosity guided me through my GCSEs and A Levels, and ultimately steered me in the right direction to a career in architecture.
Q. Who are your design influences?
A. Norman Foster remains a significant influence throughout my career so far. Also, during the Covid-19 lockdown, I had the opportunity to engage with architects from around the world through online lectures. One architect who stood out for me was Alejandro Aravena, known for his focus on incremental urbanism. His approach was fascinating and really inspiring while pragmatic. Additionally, working at previous architecture firms, such as Hodder+Partners, had a significant impact on my design philosophy.
Q. Do you have any standout career moments?
A. I started a speculative project during the first Covid-19 lockdown, using the neighbourhood that I was living in at the time as inspiration. The housing stock there is predominantly early 20th century terraces which have deteriorated over several decades. I compiled a ‘Catalogue of Regeneration’; a series of architectural solutions for a typical row of houses, each of varying cost and intervention, with an aim to address issues of parking, lack of greenery/social spaces, and deterioration. The project was commended by RIBA in the Rethink 2025 architecture competition and published in the RIBA Journal.
Further refinement of these principles led to me being awarded an innovation grant from Innovate UK and the DCMS earlier this year, to develop a service for joint home improvements service called Neighbouring Projects. This competition win enabled me to set up practice.
Q. What will Neighbouring Projects offer?
A. We’ve calculated that undertaking a joint home improvement with your next-door neighbour, such as an extension or loft conversion, can reduce CO² emissions and costs by 25–40%. This can be achieved by using shared suppliers and labour within a shorter construction time frame.
It is well known that the cost of living has increased significantly. The ambition of Neighbouring Projects is to demonstrate that you can improve your home on a limited budget through using this collaborative approach, applying another level of detail to retrofit.
Q. What’s happening with the proposal now?
A. We’re building a website and infomercial ready to launch in the next couple of months. The website will offer a streamlined service guiding neighbouring homeowners through each step of a joint home improvement.
In parallel with this, I’ve been in discussions with Manchester City Council and we’re working towards implementing a pilot street. However, the recent delays in net zero goals due to changing government policies pose a challenge, as this could impact grants available to lower income households.
Q. Could you share your perspective on the Future Homes Standard, and do you take these regulations into account when designing?
A. I believe that net zero and sustainability hold at least equal importance to aesthetics, and the Future Homes Standard has the potential to be a great way forward for sustainable housebuilding. Many of the projects I've worked on involve retrofitting existing buildings, which inherently contribute to sustainability by not creating new structures. One of my current projects revolves around achieving net zero standards and I'm actively exploring ways to make sustainability a selling point.
Q. Are there any other pressing sustainability issues you have encountered in the industry?
A. A big challenge is the government's changing stance on sustainability, such as the delayed biodiversity net gain targets, which have thrown a spanner in the works for many green focused companies. Changing the timescales makes forward planning difficult. Another sustainability issue is the supply chain, particularly when it comes to transporting materials from different countries, and the large amount of CO2 emissions this generates. I know this sometimes can't be avoided but this aspect hasn't received as much thought as it probably should.
Additionally, there's the challenge of convincing clients, especially those with limited budgets, to prioritise sustainability. Often, cost considerations dictate their decisions, which you can’t blame people for, especially in an economic crisis. Architects and suppliers should work together to educate clients on the long-term benefits of sustainable choices and why it’s an investment worth making.
It shouldn’t always fall on the architect or housebuilder to think of sustainable options either. That’s why it’s great that manufacturers like Wienerberger have sustainable product options, such as Eco-brick, which enables a significant reduction in upfront embodied carbon per square metre of brickwork. This helps architects when we are searching for product solutions that reduce our environmental impact.
Q. What advice would you give to aspiring architects, especially those who want to make sustainably a central focus in their career?
A. My advice to aspiring architects is to recognise which movements and trends are at the forefront of architecture and position yourself accordingly. Right now, it’s the retrofit movement. Research these areas as much as you can and try to pre-empt the next innovation or emerging technology. Look for opportunities which add another layer of detail and be brave with your proposals. Don’t be afraid of being provocative to spark a conversation. Thinking outside the box on new ways to reduce carbon emissions and save people money will always be a popular topic.
Q. Are there any particular skills or expertise areas that are currently in high demand but challenging to find in the industry?
A. One area where the industry faces a shortage is architects with on-site experience. As design and build is now the mainstream procurement approach, there's a growing need for architects who can provide value during the later stages of a project. Some architects have transitioned to work for contractors, leaving a gap in this area.
Staying updated on building regulations, including new and approved documents, has become increasingly challenging. The constant changes in legislation make it difficult for architects to keep up, so having people specialised in this area could help.
Q. How do you see artificial intelligence impacting the design process?
A. AI will undoubtedly impact the design process. While this is could be a positive overall for the quality of urban spaces, it could potentially impact architects' scope and income. The introduction of CAD and Revit, for instance, made design more accurate and efficient, but architects from a few decades ago could charge more for their services because everything was done manually, which took more time. AI is likely to reduce the time required for various architectural tasks, potentially leading to lower fees.
Q. From your perspective, what do you believe is currently affecting the architecture industry the most?
A. One significant challenge is the lack of protection of function for architects. Unlike doctors or lawyers, architects do not have the same level of protection for their title and function. This lack of regulation allows unqualified individuals to offer architectural services at a lower cost, which is detrimental to the profession. It's crucial to establish mandatory standards for those who can undertake architectural projects, and I believe the RIBA and the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) need to work together to maintain integrity of the field.
Visit www.andrewjacksonarchitects.com to find out more about Andrew and his work.
