Meet The Member - Howard Pease Architects
howard pease
We had the pleasure of interviewing our member Howard Pease to find out more about his life as an architect in Harpenden.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and life before Howard Pease Architects?
I was born in Hertfordshire but moved to Yorkshire when I was young. I went to university in the beautiful city of Edinburgh where I studied architecture for 7 years. I then worked in London learning my craft as an Architect for several companies including Shepherd Robson, before opening my own practice in Harpenden.
What inspired you to create your own company?
The idea of working with families to make a difference to their lives and enhance their quality of life and the way they live.
what is the most common problem people have with their home design?
A common problem that clients have is that they don’t really know where to start with the design process, as they often don’t really even know what they want. A house is like a puzzle, which has to be solved, and then made to suit their own specific requirements.
What advice would you give to people who are buying a new home?
Employ a good architect! An architect will not only unlock the house’s full potential, with ideas that clients didn’t even know they needed; but they will also navigate them through the tricky build process from gaining planning permission right through to successful completion of the project on site.
Is there a part of a house that you most enjoy designing?
I love designing all aspects of the house but I especially enjoy creating feature areas of interest in the home, such as double height entrance spaces, sunken living rooms, open galleried landings, vaulted ceilings and stunning large picture windows maximising light and the connection to the garden.
What has been your most demanding, but rewarding project?
In 2019, I designed a new build six-bedroom family home in St. Albans with a large basement, and a feature helical staircase from basement to 1st floor. This was a technically demanding project but with a client who really engaged with the whole process. It was a very rewarding project and the family ended up with exactly what they wanted.
Did you build and design your own home?
I couldn’t wait for the opportunity to build my own home. Living in a beautifully designed space that functions exactly as you would want it to, literally changes your life. It enhances how you choose to live, work and relax. It provides the perfect setting to make those special memories with family & friends. A large extension project or new build will generally take between one to two years depending on the complexity of the work.
How could you help a client who is struggling with a small home with a lack of space?
By talking to them and understanding what their specific needs are, and working together to finalise a plan to extend and open up their current home.
Do you have a favourite building in the world, and why?
My favourite building has to be La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona because it is completely unique. In my opinion its architect Antoni Goudi’s visionary style is to this day unrivalled. A close second would have to be Falling Water a stunning house designed by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. I admire his contemporary aesthetic which was so ahead of its time. He has inspired me in some of my own designs, his work being easier to reference in Hertfordshire than that of Gaudi’s!
When you are not busy designing homes, what do you enjoy doing in the local area?
Taking my dog for a walk around The Common, I like to play squash at my local club and enjoy doing paintings of the local area.