Joao joined Orms in 2019, bringing a truly international perspective shaped by his architectural education in Portugal and Austria and professional experience across London, Doha and Melbourne, developing a global design sensibility that informs his approach to projects of all scales. This diverse background has equipped him with adaptability and cultural awareness, enabling him to engage effectively with complex briefs and multidisciplinary teams while maintaining focus on design quality and user experience.
What does ultrapractical mean to you? Ultrapractical architecture means drawing on diverse influences to create solutions that respond precisely to context and client needs. My experience on the Msheireb Museums in Doha and on St Paul's Girls' School in London contributed greatly to my understanding of how buildings shape cultural and educational experiences. At Orms, I've applied these insights to the conversion of the former Central Saint Martins site into a new hotel and mixed-use scheme involving a Grade II* Listed Building and, more recently, to the refurbishment and extension project at 75 London Wall – both projects exemplify our practice's approach to transforming heritage assets through sensitive yet innovative design. This work demonstrates how ultrapractical thinking can balance preservation with adaptation to create buildings that remain relevant for future generations.