Architect Jon James, 39, designed Swindon’s recently-opened University Technical College. Based in Cardiff, he is a director of long-established international design practice Scott Brownrigg, which has won many awards

THERE are moments of satisfaction unique to architects. One of them is meeting people who live in something you once imagined.

The first building designed by Jon James, a small block of apartments in Cardiff, sprang from his drawing board when he was 25 years old.

“I do some teaching at the Welsh School of Architecture,” said Jon James, “and I remember somebody told me they lived in the top-floor flat.”

Jon is originally from Paulton, a village outside Bath, and is the eldest of three siblings. His mother worked for charities and his father had a long career as an architectural photographer for a variety of clients.

The images he produced led to the young Jon developing an early interest in buildings and the principles behind their construction.

“I’ve always been interested – for as long as I can remember,” he said.

“I had an interest in architectural photography and it all stems from there.

“We always used to do a lot of travelling – I still do – to see as many different cities and cultures as possible.”

There was never any doubt for Jon as to his future career. Schooling at a comprehensive in Midsomer Norton was followed by eight years of study in architecture at the University of Plymouth.

Jon took time out during his course to go travelling, and visited countries including India, Indonesia, Singapore and Australia.

His influences among architects are the modernists, and the long list of architects he admires ranges from pioneers such as Corbusier to modern practitioners including Richard Rogers, whose work includes the Lloyd’s Building and the Welsh Assembly.

Why modernism? “It’s the simplicity,” said Jon.

“They’re very honest buildings. It’s the purity they strive towards – very simple buildings in a lot of ways.”

Jon’s firm, Scott Brownrigg, is more than a century old and has offices in Cardiff, London, Guildford, Edinburgh, Croatia and Singapore.

Its recent track record includes projects for brands such as Google, Cisco, KPMG, Quintiles, Thomson Reuters and BP.

Major projects have included the design of Cardiff International Sports Village, Skolkovo Park in Moscow and the University of Reading’s new Malaysian Campus.

Jon has a special fondness for educational projects, and enjoyed his work on Swindon’s University Technical College (UTC).

“They’re really strong on what they believe in,” he said. “Swindon Borough Council’s enthusiasm has been fantastic. Compared to some others, it’s been a real pleasure to work on.”

Jon has designed many schools, but a UTC – especially one based around an existing historic structure – presents unique challenges.

“We did a lot of research of the history of the site. The Railway Village is rich in the amount of history it has, and it’s important in the history of railways. That was key.”

The building combines the old with the new, he explained, and the use of a glass partition and roof highlight the beauty of the old building and allow plenty of natural light.

He added: “For UTCs in particular, the design is all about creating a work-type environment.”

This is why, for example, the traditional school or college layout involving corridors and classrooms has given way to a layout involving teaching spaces designed to resemble the workplaces for which students are being prepared.

Jon said: “That’s much more akin to the offices we design for international companies. It’s much more about preparing students for real life experiences and real work.

“If you give people more inspiring spaces they tend to do better.

“There’s a correlation between where you live and work and how you perform.”

For an architect, Jon said, a successful project tends to inspire the next successful project and so on.

“When you see your vision realised, it’s very satisfying – although it’s more satisfying when you have pupils and staff coming in and congratulating you on the project, and talking about how pleased they are.

“That’s been the reason for getting involved – it’s as much about the people as the structure.”