Mr Toby Smith

• ARB Registered Architect
• Fellow of the HSA

Areas of expertise

• Architectural Design Teaching and Pedagogy at Part 1 and Part 2 levels including project brief writing, module planning, critique, feedback, field trips, pastoral care, and the creative mindset - 
• Structural Design teaching (for architects) - co-leader of MArch technology and former lecturer and coordinator of structures teaching for BA architecture students in Yrs1,2,3 at Oxford Brookes and previously at the Bartlett Schools of Architecture
• Materials and Construction teaching - co-leader of MArch technology and former lecturer and coordinator of materials and construction teaching for architecture students in Yr1 and 2 at Oxford Brookes and previously at the Bartlett Schools of Architecture
• Acoustics teaching and research - former leader and coordinator of Post-graduate Dissertation unit "The Architecture of Sound" with Paul Gilliron and Raf Orlowski at the Bartlett School of Architecture.  Personal research and experiments into noise cancellation, and how sound shapes the perception of time
• Construction Procurement teaching - occasional lecturer for RIBA Part III students
• Regular guest critic at Part1 and Part 2 levels at Oxford Brookes, Bartlett Schools of Architecture, and RIBA Studio

Other experience

Practicing Architect 1998-Present:

Architecture 2006-present: Principal of a rural Oxfordshire based architectural practice, engaged in solo and collaborative projects delivering innovative design bespoke to client, brief, site and budget;  Best Residential Architecture Practice (Oxfordshire): Build Architecture 2017; projects include:

• Book-Case, Oxfordshire (Under construction) A top-lit hanging library/stair to re-structure, organise and integrate new bedroom, studio, bathroom and living spaces of a 3-storey 18thC Oxfordshire cottage, in collaboration with Melissa Kinnear
• Power:House, Oxfordshire 2019 Garden studio and bio-mass plant room
• River House, Oxford  2014-16: 2-storey side and rear extensions to a 1930's "semi" paddling in the Thames seasonal flood water
• Honeysuckle, Warwickshire  2010-13: Victorian terrace re-build providing sustainable social housing and re-development prototype.

Awards:

• Build Architecture Awards 2017: Best Oxfordshire Residential Project: Honeysuckle Social Housing
• Stratford upon Avon DC Building Control, Building Excellence 2014-15 nomination

Unbuilt projects:

• Barn:Yard, Buckinghamshire (2018-20), Vine:Yard (2013-2016), Cabinet (of Curiosity) (2009-12), National Grid Pylons (2011), Bodywarmer (2009), Cave and Ark (2008), The Pargetter (2007), Hats-Off (2006-8), Sideboard (2004-6)

• TR2, Theatre Royal, Plymouth, 1997 - 2003: 4050m2, £5.8M New-build, workshop, rehearsal and education centre for Theatre Royal, running the project from first inception to completion, Lead designer, managing the project design team of 13 architects, coordinating the consultant design team, contract administrator and  fending off the Duchy of Cornwall.

Awards:

• RIBA - Stirling Prize shortlist of 4, and RIBA Regional award
• RFACT - Building of the Year
• CDA - Innovation in copper
• AIA UK - Design Excellence Award

Published:

• TR2, Categorical Books, 2003
• Architecture 03. The RIBA Awards, Merrell, 2003
• Nine Positions, Peter Cook, The British Council, 2004
• Bartlett Works, Laura Allen etc. August projects ltd, 2003
• AJ Mar 2003; RIBA Journal Feb 2004; L’Arca 52 Nov 2003
• BD Mar & Oct 2003; Architecture Today Oct 2003

Exhibited: 9th Venice Biennale of Architecture, British Pavilion, 2004

Broadcast: The Stirling Prize, Channel 4, October 2003

• Whitecity (Westfield) London, 1999, 2002, 2003 - 2004 (completed by others) 200,000m2 retail, £600M New-build shopping centre and infra-structure: rail, tube, bus stations and parking for 5,000 cars. Lead construction and specification coordinator, managing a team of 27 architects
• Northbrook House Oxford, 1996 - 1997 3,000m2, £3M, New build, offices, landscape and car park Project Architect from planning to completion, managing a team of 8 architects Awards:  Civic Trust 1997 Published: AJ, RIBA Journal and BD
• Jubilee Line Extension London, 1995-96 Bermondsey Station modifications and detail design and construction of 3no. Mid-Line Vent and Escape shaft buildings, working in a team of 4 architects to help completion of the project and opening of the line
• TUC glass roof London, 1996 Detail design of a new ground level glass roof over the TUC conference hall
• Natural History Museum Redesign and re-planning of the Earth Galleries (previously Geology museum).

Other projects:

• Stratford on Avon Courtyard Theatre 2004; Spire of Dublin 1999; EDF Pylons 1996; Crystal Palace Concert Platform 1996

Un-built projects:

Potters Field (Tower Bridge) housing 2002; BMW centre 2002; ENO rehearsal centre 2001; London Habitable Bridge 1999; Crystal Palace complex 1998; Brighton West Pier Hotel and re-development 1997; V&A Extension 1996; Royal Opera House temporary theatre 1995
 

My practice spans between architectural education to delivering live construction projects. My architectural design work focuses on developing innovative and bespoke proposals that are highly particular to each client, site, project and budget.  While my teaching work is centred on nurturing creative design skills and developing critical conceptual thinking, while encouraging wider participation and engagement in architecture at all stages from the first steps in design, developing design skills and gaining qualification, working in practice, through to developing and promoting routes into teaching in architecture. I am currently developing a Phd proposal exploring the origins, authorship, development and teaching of spatial ideas and thinking.

Personal Projects

• Unit G: 2019-20

• RIBA Studio: 2019-20

• "Sense", London Slaughterhouse Galleries, Smithfield 1994

• Exhibition in collaboration with Matthew Barnet-Howland and others of final Part 2 Diploma installation projects

Further information

• Toby Smith Architecture website

• Unit G Blog