Graduating from the architectural association in 1980, graham thought at the time it might be possible to enter the profession single-mindedly, as had other more famous AA-alumni in the 1980's.No such luck.
More important, he knew there things to tackle within the sphere of architecture and the environment; albeit he didn't quite how, or with whom he could make a mark.
He only knew that evenings and leisure-time would be required to develop interests outside the norms of the profession: not competitions, but self-penned briefs and programmes, all framed by his own memories, history and surroundings.
The role of the freelance architect book ends a middle period of 17-year career with Zaha Hadid, through the rough years of the 1990's. Before and since working with one or two other London studios, but none never the grit and challenge found in zaha-world.
His built and unbuilt portfolio spans places and scales in the UK, US, Africa and the mid-east. Both his own projects and leading project teams in others' offices, from furniture to master-plan.
From his student year-out in NYC and throughout his working life, graham has been a architecture tutor working in tandem in practice. Not as an academic, but hands-on teacher of design.
His self-initiated projects, one-off projects, leading teams in offices, have graphic research at the heart. new opportunities and episodes of work have opened-up since Covid.
Pulling together architecture practice (Super Solid Studio/ James Burrell), with charity trustee work (Earth Architecture Lab) and teaching (greenwich), are the next chapter.