Simon joined Orms in 2003 and is a Director who particularly enjoys the challenge of transforming existing buildings to maximise their full potential. He has worked on a wide range of projects in the commercial, education and hospitality sectors for clients including Great Portland Estates, Crosstree Real Estate, British Land and Derwent London. His portfolio includes the award-winning transformations of 1+2 Stephen Street and 160 Old Street, as well as The Standard London, which was named as one of The Times Top 10 global Buildings of the Year in 2019.
What does ultrapractical mean to you? Ultrapractical architecture means finding innovative solutions that unlock a building's untapped potential whilst addressing complex technical and commercial challenges. This approach has guided my work on transformative projects that give new life to existing structures, creating spaces that respond to contemporary needs while respecting their heritage. Currently, I am leading a new-build oversite development above Moorgate Crossrail station for Aviva Investors, demonstrating how strategic architectural intervention can create value in even the most constrained urban contexts—delivering buildings that work harder for clients, occupants and cities.