After 23 successful years at Pollard Thomas Edwards, Patrick will be stepping back as one of the Managing Partners to support PTE in a new role at the practice. This will allow him to focus on his current projects, alongside the exciting progression of PTE’s co-design and social value offer, in particular the Happy Homes tool to evidence social value in design.

Patrick will remain active in design review panels, teaching, and a range of architectural, writing and drawing projects, as well as completing his house in Somerset. Those who have enjoyed Teams meetings with Patrick will know it as home to the grandfather clock that reliably - and loudly - signals that your meeting has finished.

Patrick has played a defining role in shaping PTE’s thought leadership, most notably through his research and leadership of the highly influential HAPPI report (Housing our Ageing Population: Panel for Innovation). This landmark publication set a benchmark for later living design and informed many of Patrick’s award-winning projects, including the internationally recognised New Ground Cohousing in Barnet - a project that also demonstrated Patrick’s passion for collaborative design, embedding end-users at the heart of the process - an approach he has advanced across many subsequent commissions.

I first met Patrick at a RIBA exhibition for a competition to design a new London almshouse. Patrick was a competitor that day but joined PTE shortly afterwards. We worked together on an elderly care home and day centre in Chelsea, and then an office and recording studio in Shoreditch. During this time, we bonded over the music of Pentangle, the buildings of Hans Scharoun, and Patrick’s remarkable repertoire of ways to cook fish! Alongside the enjoyment of designing together, Patrick shared his deep expertise in navigating complex construction and contractual challenges, expertly delivering both projects.

He also introduced a collection of expressions that are now part of our daily culture: “there is nothing more permanent than a temporary solution”, “there are no stupid questions”, and “don’t overthink it - let it hit the page”. All of which, I think, demonstrate his perceptive and generous approach to the design process.

The Managing Partners and everyone at PTE wish Patrick the very best for this next busy and rewarding chapter.

Carl Vann, Managing Partner