PORTFOLIO
SIMON BALLE ALL-THROUGH SCHOOL, HERTFORD, UK
CLACTON LIBRARY ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL, CLACTON, UK 05.
HACKNEY WICK: NONE OF YOUR BEESWAX
02. T-LEVEL NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE COLLEGE, STEVENAGE, UK
04. COMPETITION
SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS SCHOOL, BEACONSFIELD, UK
06. HACKNEY WICK: WICKFLOW
LONDON SOUTH BANK UNIVERSITY
CONCRETE PLAYGROUND
LONDON SOUTH BANK UNIVERSITY
LONDON SOUTH BANK UNIVERSITY 07.
09. SPORTS HALL NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE COLLEGE, HITCHIN, UK
08.
MOBIUS HOUSE
LONDON SOUTH BANK UNIVERSITY
About me
personal statement:
Creative and highly motivated RIBA Part 1 Architectural Assistant with over half a decade of experience, gained through a Level 6 Architectural Assistant Apprenticeship (RIBA Part 1). This pathway provided me with practical construction expertise and the freedom to explore imaginative ideas during my studies, shaping my ability to deliver innovative yet well-considered solutions.
My career has spanned multiple sectors across the UK, including education, where I was a key member of a team that developed a robust portfolio for local schools. Over five years, we adapted to challenges, becoming specialists in delivering impactful projects like those for North Hertfordshire College and Simon Balle All-Through School. These experiences taught me the value of collaboration, clear client communication, and guiding clients to define their priorities and achieve their vision.
ARCHITECTURE IS BOTH A VOCATION AND A PASSION.
I believe every design should tell a story, connecting site, culture, and context through “contemporary reinterpretation.” This approach, inspired by my mentor, drives me to create designs that echo their surroundings while enhancing the environment.
MOVING TO AUSTRALIA MARKS AN EXCITING NEW CHAPTER.
I am eager to contribute, learn, and grow while embracing new challenges and opportunities. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
JONAH HOWLEY RIBA PART 1 ARCHITECTURAL ASSISTANT
CONTACT INFO
AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
education:
SEPTEMBER, 2024 SEP, 2020
LONDON SOUTHBANK UNIVERSITY 103 BOROUGH RD, LONDON SE1 0AA
BA (HONS) ARCHITECTURE
experience:
DECEMBER, 2024 SEP, 2024
SEPTMBER, 2020 MAY, 2019
SAUNDERS ARCHITECTS WELWYN GARDEN CITY, AL7 1TW
INDEPENDENT STUDY
MAY, 2019 SEP, 2017
BEAUMONT SCHOOL AUSTEN WAY, ST ALBANS, AL4 0XB
A-LEVEL
ART, GEOGRAPHY, MATHS + EPQ
skills:
SAUNDERS ARCHITECTS
WELWYN GARDEN CITY, AL7 1TW
RIBA PART I ARCHITECTURAL ASST.
SEPTMBER, 2024 SEP, 2020
SEPTEMBER, 2020 SEP, 2019
SAUNDERS ARCHITECTS
WELWYN GARDEN CITY, AL7 1TW
LEVEL 6 ARCHITECTURAL ASST. APPRENTICESHIP (RIBA PART 1)
SAUNDERS ARCHITECTS
WELWYN GARDEN CITY, AL7 1TW
ARCHITECTURAL ASST. INTERNSHIP
AUTOCAD LUMION
REVIT ENSCAPE
SKETCHUP ADOBE SUITE
RHINO PROCREATE
references:
DIRECTOR ANNABEL LAIT SAUNDERS ARCHITECTURE + URBAN DESIGN
CONCRETE PLAYGROUND DEZEEN STUDENT SPOTLIGHT, 2020
WHY STUDY AN ARCHITECTURE APPRENTISHIP? RIBA FUTURE ARCHITECTS, EPISODE 17, 2023 achievements:
social:
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR (MENTOR) RICHARD GRENFELL SAUNDERS ARCHITECTURE + URBAN DESIGN
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
ROBIN CALLISTER URBANIST ARCHITECTURE
@jonah.howley
www.linkedin.com /in/jonah-howley/
Simon Balle
ALL-THROUGH SCHOOL, HERTFORD, UK
stage:
type:
team: Feasibilty, Planning & Delivery
Sports Hall & Masterplan
Richard Grenfell, Sergio García & Zach Jones & Jonah Howley
value: circa. £ 4,000,000
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Simon Balle is an all-through school, providing OFSTED Outstanding teaching to students aged 4-18. The site has grown from a nucleus of 1950s buildings to cater for the increase in students numbers. A capacity study was undertaken in March 2020, which concludes that there is a deficit in halls, dining and PE space. In addition to a deficit in hall space, the school also has issues with security and safe guarding as a result of a poorly located reception area that requires visitors to walk unaccompanied through an active school environment.
Whilst providing new sports facilities and improvements to site security, the proposal is an example of excellent sustainable design, through a fabric first approach that is supported by sustainable site strategies.
The scheme was recently successful in its application and recieved £4 million through the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) for Schools.
Simon Balle
ALL-THROUGH SCHOOL, HERTFORD, UK
stage:
type:
team:
Feasibilty, Planning & Delivery
Sports Hall & Masterplan
Richard Grenfell, Sergio García & Zach Jones & Jonah Howley
value: circa. £ 4,000,000
SITE MASTERPLAN
This school also allowed us to develop one of our first modular schemes, as part of our masterplan we identified previous modular units in dire need of replacement, we worked with Wernick Modular Ltd to build a new Language Block.
• Feasibility & Masterplanning: Conducted capacity studies and site analysis to address the deficit across the campus, while maintaining sensitivity to the site’s Green Belt context and adjacency to a conservation area.
• Planning Stage: Developed the Design and Access Statement and material boards, incorporating feedback from consultations with stakeholders, including the school community and local authorities. Producing and coordinating a planning package for submssion, including a heritage impact assessement.
• Delivery: Produced detailed construction drawings, including building sections and detail callouts, coordination with wider contractor team for sustainable strategies such as passive ventilation, material selection (e.g.buffbrickandbronzeperforated cladding), and integration of photovoltaic panels
West Elevation
North Elevation
South Elevation
East Elevation
Sports Hall Section
T-Level
NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE COLLEGE, STEVENAGE, UK
stage: type:
team: Feasibility, Design & Delivery Classroom Refurbishment
Annabel Lait, Richard Grenfell, Ben Layzell & Jonah Howley
value: circa. £ 2,250,000
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The refurbishment project for North Hertfordshire College focused on transforming existing facilities into a cutting-edge T-Level teaching environment. The brief involved designing specialised spaces such as a mock ward, independent living flat, and flexible teaching areas, ensuring compliance with T-Level curriculum requirements and creating an inspiring educational environment. The project, valued at £2.25 million, emphasised post-Covid ventilation standards and sustainable design.
The project successfully delivered a dynamic and inclusive learning environment, tailored to modern vocational education. My involvement allowed me to contribute directly to spaces that prepare students for real-world challenges, reinforcing my skills in technical detailing, spatial planning, and collaborative design.
T-Level
NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE COLLEGE, STEVENAGE, UK
stage:
type:
team:
Feasibility, Design & Delivery
Refurbishment of Classrooms for T-Level
Annabel Lait, Richard Grenfell, Ben Layzell & Jonah Howley
value: circa. £ 2,250,000
Mock Ward
STRUCTURAL SLAB
CEILING VOID
RAISED ACCESS FLOOR VOID
STRUCTURAL SLAB
NHS-standard hospital ward designed to provide students with realistic, industry-level training environments. This facility enables Health and Social Care learners to develop essential skills in a setting that mirrors real-life healthcare scenarios.
These modern facilities are integral to their commitment to bringing industry standards into the classroom, thereby better preparing students for careers in the health sector.
These developments reflect North Hertfordshire College’s dedication to providing high-quality, practical learning environments that meet current industry standards, particularly in healthcare education.
T-Level
NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE COLLEGE, STEVENAGE, UK
stage: type: team: Feasibility, Design & Delivery Refurbishment of Classrooms for T-Level Annabel Lait, Richard Grenfell, Ben Layzell & Jonah Howley
value: circa. £ 2,250,000
STRUCTURAL SLAB
BATHROOM
CEILING VOID
ASSISTED LIFT RIG
BEDROOM
RAISED ACCESS FLOOR VOID
STRUCTURAL SLAB
DESIGN APPROACH
The concept strategy prioritised functionality and branding across spaces:
• Mock Ward: A realistic healthcare training space with industry-standard layouts, dual-tone flooring for demarcation, and strategically designed sightlines to balance visibility and privacy.
• Independent Living Flat: A simulated residential space enabling practical learning of assisted living scenarios, complete with accessible bathrooms and hoist systems.
• Employer Zone & LRC: Vibrant, branded spaces integrating acoustic solutions, flexible layouts, and strong visual identity to support student-industry interaction.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The refurbishment project for North Hertfordshire College focused on transforming existing facilities into a cutting-edge T-Level teaching environment. The brief involved designing specialised spaces such as a mock ward, independent living flat, and flexible teaching areas, ensuring compliance with T-Level curriculum requirements and creating an inspiring educational environment. The project, valued at £2.25 million, emphasised post-Covid ventilation standards and sustainable design.
The project successfully delivered a dynamic and inclusive learning environment, tailored to modern vocational education. My involvement allowed me to contribute directly to spaces that prepare students for real-world challenges, reinforcing my skills in technical detailing, spatial planning, and collaborative design.
Classroom spaces were redesigned to provide flexible, future-proofed learning environments. This transformation supported the introduction of the new vocational qualification while aligning with post-Covid teaching requirements and modern educational standards. Spaces were equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including interactive screens, enhanced IT infrastructure, and robust audiovisual systems to support digital learning.
02
A simulated “IKEA showroom style ”residential unit enabling practical learning and assessment of assisted living scenarios, complete with accessible bathrooms and hoist systems. These modern facilities are integral to their commitment to bringing industry standards into the classroom, thereby better preparing students for careers in the health sector.
STAY FAR GO CLOSE
03
NHS-standard hospital ward designed to provide students with realistic, industry-level training environments. This facility enables Health and Social Care learners to develop essential skills in a setting that mirrors real-life healthcare scenarios.
Clacton Library
ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL, CLACTON, UK
type: class:
team: Feasibilty & Planning
Community Library & Adult Learning Facilities
Richard Grenfell, Ben Layzell, Deigo Medina & Jonah Howley
value: circa. £ 10,000,000
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Clacton Library and Learning Centre is a pivotal project aimed at regenerating the town’s center through the creation of a landmark community hub. Designed to accommodate diverse user groups, the development will include a modern library, adult learning facilities, registration services, and a space for Essex University’s Centre for Coastal Communities. The scheme also integrates a museum to celebrate Clacton’s rich cultural heritage.
As part of the design team, I contributed to the feasibility and planning stages, including producing the Design and Access Statement and helping craft the masterplan. My role focused on defining spatial relationships, analysing the surrounding context, and preparing plans to optimise the building’s engagement with its historic and residential surroundings.
Competition
SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS SCHOOL, BEACONSFIELD, UK
stage:
type:
team: Feasibilty
Dining Hall & Spectator Viewing
Annabel Lait, Richard Grenfell, Ben Layzell, & Jonah Howley
value: circa. £ 3,500,000
DINING HALL
This competition project aimed to deliver a new dining and social facility for an SEN girls’ school in Beaconsfield, thoughtfully integrating the school’s rich heritage with a contemporary, sustainable design. The proposal embraced the concept of the campus streetscape as a “family portrait,” where each building reflects its unique character while contributing to the cohesive architectural language of the school.
For the competition the new dining hall introduces a contemporary element, tying into the narrative of the campus while standing as a distinct, yet inkeeping, addition to the ensemble. The material palette, scale, and roof forms reference the campus’s heritage, reinforcing the school’s identity and history.
Hackney Wick: None of your Beeswax
LONDON SOUTH BANK UNIVERISTY
stage: type:
date:
Design & Technology Modules
Pavilion/Tempoary Structure 2023
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This project, designed as part of my university coursework, explores the potential of architecture pavilions to address social and ecological concerns. Inspired by the intricate, symbiotic relationship between bees and flowers, the pavilion mirrors these principles in its relationship with the Hackney Wick community. It is both a celebration of local identity and a commentary on the threats posed by unchecked gentrification. The pavilion serves as a temporary, community-driven intervention that highlights an under utilised area for my second semester project to redevelop. The design highlights themes of mutualism within the Hackney Wick community and its artists are interdependent.
This project represents my approach to architecture as a tool for storytelling, sustainability, and social impact. It is a reflection of my belief that good design should resonate with its surroundings, tell a compelling story, and leave a lasting impression on both the community and the environment.
Key Features:
• Material Innovation: The structure uses cross-laminated timber face fixed in waxed chipboard, which provides a sustainable, weather-resistant surface. The tactile and matte finish invites engagement and interaction.
• Multi-Sensory Experience: Visitors are immersed in a space that engages all senses, from the “humming” of speakers mimicking the sound of a beehive to the “blooming” scents of flowers and plants that enhance the environment.
• Community Engagement: The project creates a platform for dialogue, workshops, and exhibitions that tackle the critical issues of identity, community ownership, and the delicate balance between progress and preservation.
Hackney Wick: Wickflow
LONDON SOUTH BANK UNIVERISTY
stage: type: date: Design & Technology Modules
Mixed Use + Masterplanning 2024
Wickflow
LONDON SOUTH BANK UNIVERISTY
stage: type: Design & Technology Modules
Mixed Use + Masterplanning
date: 2024
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
A comprehensive masterplan to address environmental and social challenges in Hackney Wick, combining sustainable design principles with community-focused spaces. Using Revit, I developed a detailed 3D model of the site, enabling precise spatial planning and visualisation of the scheme’s complex programme.
The mixed-use programme introduced essential amenities designed to enhance both community life and ecological resilience. Key elements included a bathhouse and wellness centre, providing spaces for relaxation and connection; a community hub that fosters engagement and collaboration; and a high street dedicated to artists and independent retailers, supporting the area’s creative economy. Additionally, the scheme incorporated an apiary and water garden, creating a biodiverse riparian zone that not only supports pollinators but also mitigates flood risk through sustainable drainage systems.
WickFlow emphasised green infrastructure such as rain gardens and swales, designed to reduce surface water runoff while enhancing the area’s natural ecology. By prioritising resilience, resource efficiency, and connectivity, the project sought to create a vibrant urban environment that celebrates Hackney Wick’s unique heritage and fosters a sense of community ownership.
This project reflects my ability to balance technical precision with creative vision, utilising Revit to manage complex multi-functional programmes and ensuring a design that is sustainable, inclusive, and responsive to both environmental and social needs.
Concrete Playground
LONDON SOUTH BANK UNIVERISTY
stage: type: Design & Technology Modules Mixed Use & Masterplanning
date: 2021
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The “Concrete Playground” proposal responds to the need for a multifunctional urban intervention post-COVID-19, designed to bring the community together through play, performance, and creativity. Set in the heart of Southbank’s cultural district, this project offers a vibrant mixed-use development integrating innovative play spaces, performance areas, and artist studios, all framed within an adaptable and sustainable architectural vision.
The project draws on the evolution of leisure activities over centuries, weaving together historical and contemporary influences to create a narrative-driven urban hub. The Southbank area served as a rich source of inspiration, particularly its legacy as a vibrant cultural and performance venue.
Playground
Concrete Playground
LONDON SOUTH BANK UNIVERISTY
The “Concrete Playground” reimagines urban leisure as a multifunctional, community focused environment. Through innovative design and thoughtful programming, the scheme provides a vibrant space that unites the community, supports local culture, and fosters resilience in a rapidly changing urban context.
1. The ground floor combines a skatepark and playground, ensuring the street-facing frontage remains interactive and inviting. The space is designed to cater to a broad demographic, emphasizing inclusivity and engagement.
2. The rooftop skatepark incorporates a linear course with a natural flow, designed to encourage interaction between skaters and spectators while celebrating urban leisure culture.
3. Vertical circulation, including slides and climbing walls, connects all levels of the building, creating a playful and experiential transition between spaces.
4. The streetscape redesign prioritizes pedestrians, transforming the area into a festival like space for public events, pop-up markets, and street performances, reconnecting the community post-lockdown.
MASTERPLANNING THE CUT POST COVID
Playground
Mobius House
LONDON SOUTH BANK UNIVERISTY
stage: type: date: Rhino & Visualisation Modules Private Residential 2022
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This project demonstrates my proficiency in using Rhino 7 for digital modeling and visualisations. Focusing on the Mobius House, I explored its unique 24-hour loop design, which integrates family life activities seamlessly into its structure. Using Rhino, I created a detailed 3D model with accurately assigned material layers, such as concrete walls and glazing, to facilitate realistic visualisations in Lumion.
The process included exporting the Rhino model to Lumion, where I added material textures, vegetation, and lighting effects. I further enhanced the renders in Photoshop, adding seasonal effects and adjusting textures to create dynamic visuals that showcase how the design interacts with different times of the day and year. This project highlights my ability to model, visualize, and present architectural designs effectively, emphasising the interplay between environment, family life, and architecture.
Sports Hall
NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE COLLEGE, HITCHIN, UK
stage:
type:
team: Feasibilty & Planning Sports Hall & Pitches
Annabel Lait, Richard Grenfell & Jonah Howley
value: circa. £ 2,500,000
DESCRIPTION
This project marks a significant milestone in my career as the first building I designed, sketched, and saw through from Stage 2 to a successful Stage 3 planning application during my time at Saunders Architects. It was also the first of my projects to be completed. This experience gave me my first real taste of the architectural process and cemented my passion for the profession.
The Sports Hall was designed as part of a larger masterplan that included a residential scheme, which I also contributed to alongside another team. This facility includes a sports hall, gym, and associated amenities, with a focus on functional design and seamless integration with the surrounding landscape. This project holds a special place in my journey, showcasing the power of collaboration and design in shaping the built environment. It was here that I first fell in love with the profession, and it continues to inspire my work today.
Sports Hall
NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE COLLEGE, HITCHIN, UK
type: class:
team: Feasibilty, Planning
Sports Hall & Pitches
Annabel Lait, Richard Grenfell & Jonah Howley
value: circa. £ 2,500,000
Hall Floor Plan
