A founder partner of Burrell Foley Fischer, John has specialist expertise in urban design, masterplanning, working with communities, and the imaginative re-use of historic buildings, streetscapes, and city spaces. He has been at the forefront of the movement to create a more intelligent and sustainable approach to Urban Design and Planning. His pioneering research work, designs and built projects demonstrate the importance of the reuse of brownfield sites, excellence in architectural and urban design and the importance of understanding people and communities.

John has demonstrated design innovation in many prize- winning projects including the Harbour Lights regional film theatre in Southampton, which was shortlisted for the 1995 Royal Fine Art Commission/Sunday Times ‘Building of the Year’ award, Stratford Picture House, voted as one of the best 50 buildings of 2000 by The Independent and the Depot Cinema in Lewes winner of the 2018 National RTPI Award for Excellence in Planning for Heritage & Culture.

His strength lies in finding new and original approaches to masterplan strategies for complex institutional estates and unlocking sites to ensure project viability that is responsive to the wider community and its cultural priorities. He has forty years’ experience of working closely with stakeholders on regeneration and Masterplanning projects.

The adaptation, conversion and regeneration of the 1970’s Angell Town Estate in Brixton, led by John, was described as “brilliant community architecture at its vibrant best and a model for similar urban housing everywhere”, and won an RIBA Award. John has pioneered the utilisation of underused local authority land for ‘infill housing’, including identifying and delivering a succession of schemes for the London Borough of Islington. He is currently leading the design of a New ECO Village, on the site of former Paper Mills in Salthouse Barrow-in-Furness, overlooking Cavendish Dock and the Irish Sea - a proposal based on 15-minute City Principles, with around 700 homes, together with supporting commercial leisure and retail facilities, including cafes and restaurants.

John’s research has led to numerous publications and he has served on several advisory bodies. His work has been extensively published in the national and international press and media and he is a regular contributor to national and international design conferences. His paper and projects presented at the 2017 International Making Cities Liveable Conference in New Mexico received the Honour Prize.