Why I Chose to Become an Architect-Developer

Tsunami Ahead!

I was born in 1992, head first into the millennium when the invention of the internet opened up information to the entire world. The cost of storing data had dramatically reduced, thereby democratising information itself which although beautiful on one hand, it threw a shockwave to traditional industries on the other – everything became digital.

For the humble architect with a ruler and drawing board this opened up a new world of possibilities for speeding up production of drawings through the use of Computer Aided Design and 3D modelling that facilitated the manufacture of drawings at a much faster rate. However fast-forward to 2026 and it seems we are on the precipice of something much larger. The A.I revolution.

This was the catalyst that forced me to rethink what it means to be an architect in the modern age. In this article I’ll delve into what led me to set up Volume Metric Ltd, what I believe in, and what is my vision for this design-led property development company.

Changing Course

Throughout my career I realised that architecture alone doesn’t allow enough influence over the creation of places. Many design and build projects I worked on would essentially be value engineered developments that strip the soul of a building from the original design intention.

This is in stark contrast from how we are taught architecture at university, where the entire design philosophy is thought out down to the very last detail, things like – where it gets built, why it gets built, or who benefits from it. Finding out that most design decisions have already been made by the time an architect has been invited into the project was a bit of a reality check.

However construction knowledge and value engineering skills such as these will come useful in early stages of the design process, as well as the site analysis and design development skills built from higher education. It’s by moving more upstream to where I can own the vision, shape the planning strategy and create places from the very beginning that interests me.

Deep Waters

It wasn’t until the spring of 2024 when I was given the opportunity to work on a large dwelling house (mansion) extensions and alterations project for one of the directors at JP Morgan. St Cloud’s was not just my responsibility, but an entirely new challenge where I was made Principal Designer, thrust head first into the deep end.

Despite the imposter syndrome, last minute client changes, and learning on the job with a client who has an incredibly keen eye of detail, I got the job done successfully. Working with a young team of contractors and consultants to sink our teeth into this exciting challenge, I learnt that keeping a level head when problems arise is the key to finding a solution quickly.

This invaluable experience gave me the confidence to move forward onto bigger and bolder projects.. Seeing how this client could build their dream mansion through smart investing and strategic planning gave me all the inspiration I needed to re-strategize my own career path.

Turbulence

The year of 2025 at my previous employer, business was slow. Planning applications were in purgatory, clients were not making investment decisions perhaps due to wars and geo-political instability. The alarm bells were ringing, forcing me to come to the realisation that employment doesn’t eliminate risk entirely, despite what people think. This is the moment when I realised I should stop thinking like just a designer, and more like an entrepreneur.

Rather than accepting the slowdown as inevitable, I began looking for ways to generate opportunities instead of simply waiting for them. I improved the practice's online presence, wrote articles and explored ways of communicating our work more effectively. Looking back, I wasn't just doing marketing, I was learning that visibility creates opportunity.

The more effort I invested into building someone else's platform, the more I began asking myself an uncomfortable question: if I was willing to take this level of ownership for another business, why wasn't I taking ownership of my own future?

X marks the spot!

Only once I read Architect-As-Developer by James Petty something clicked. For years I assumed that architects and developers occupied different worlds. One designed buildings, the other financed them. One solved creative problems, the other commercial ones. It never occurred to me that the same person could do both.

I could initiate my own projects. This gave a name to an idea I had been developing slowly over the last decade when practising architecture as an employee. It provided me with direction, for the first time in my life I felt like I was thinking with clarity. I could visualise my goal, even as a far fetched dream, this at least gave me direction to douse the anxiety with the future of architectural practise.

After all, every project I had worked on involved layers of communication between clients, consultants, planners and contractors. Decisions became diluted, delayed or reversed altogether. I began to wonder how many inefficiencies existed simply because the person drawing the vision wasn't the person making the decisions.

Wind for the Sails

Losing my father at a young age inevitably changed the course of my life. In the years that followed, my family made the difficult decision to hold onto property through uncertain economic times rather than sell in fear. That patience ultimately created the opportunity for me to purchase my own first home, but more importantly it introduced me to the idea that property rewards long-term thinking and conviction.

Owning an apartment quickly dispelled any romantic notions I had about home ownership. Leaky pipework, outdated interiors, chaotic lodgers and coordinating builders became my education. I learnt practical skills, took responsibility for improving the asset and discovered that creating value rarely comes from grand gestures, it comes from consistently solving problems. I didn’t just renovate my flat, the process of ownership altered my entire thought processes.

Until then, I had viewed buildings primarily through the lens of architecture. That experience taught me to see them differently: as opportunities waiting to be unlocked. Design remained essential, but I realised that the greatest impact often comes from identifying potential before the first drawing is produced and having the conviction to act on it. It was this shift in mindset, more than anything else, that set me on the path towards becoming an architect-developer.

Reaching Paradise Island

Volume Metric is the commitment to a simple belief: the best developments are born where architecture and entrepreneurship meet. My ambition is to build a design-led development company that doesn't wait for opportunities to arrive, but actively creates them through land acquisition, planning strategy and thoughtful intervention. Rather than selling hours, the goal is to create lasting value by unlocking the hidden potential within sites and taking responsibility for projects from conception through to completion.

I believe that good development begins long before the first brick is laid. It starts with asking the right questions, understanding planning policy, identifying overlooked opportunities and designing with purpose. Commercial viability and architectural quality should never be opposing forces, they should strengthen one another. By combining Building Information Modelling, clear decision-making and a proactive approach to risk management, I aim to reduce unnecessary complexity and deliver projects that are both efficient to build and enduring in their contribution to the places they inhabit.

This journal is my ship's log. It documents the lessons, challenges and discoveries as I navigate the transition from designer to architect-developer. The destination is not simply to build more buildings, but to create places with integrity, unlock value where others see obstacles and prove that thoughtful design can be both commercially successful and culturally meaningful. If that vision resonates with you, then perhaps our paths are already sailing in the same direction.