Aidan Potter
London,United Kingdom
Summary
Experienced design professional with over 20 years of expertise in Adobe Creative Suite and AutoCAD, complemented by 15 years of proficiency in SketchUp. Skilled in concept design, detailed design packages, project coordination, and client-facing communication, with additional strengths in Enscape and V-Ray rendering tools. Adept at leading teams, delivering impactful presentations, and driving new business development initiatives. Committed to creating innovative design solutions while fostering collaboration and achieving project excellence.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Partner
John McAslan+ Partners
London
01.2004 - 01.2023
- In addition to the specific projects mentioned above I led a dedicated studio at JMP which specialised in residential and commercial projects the UK and internationally. The studio had a team of 12-15 architects and delivered a fee income of 2-3 million pounds annually. I was also a Board member of the Practice Executive and organised its wider design management reviews and often supported other studios with specific design studies and presentations to assist with their critical bids, competitions and new work initiatives. My studio delivered over 50 buildings in this period and I was involved in all their work stages.
- The units portfolio also included a number of planning approvals for large and complex residential masterplans on sensitive sites in London at Tottenham Hale and Silvertown in the Docks, which required multiple presentations to leaders of local councils, design review panels, the GLA and Mayor of London. I also led large multi-discipline teams for hugely demanding International competitions in KSA and UEA, including a new Parliamentary District at Diriyah Gate and National Library and Archive in Abu Dhabi.
- Secured key client accounts for sustained firm growth.
- Conducted regular staff appraisals to retain top talent and foster a motivated workforce.
- Orchestrated successful marketing campaigns to increase brand visibility.
Partner
Terry Farrell and Partners
London
01.1995 - 01.2004
- I joined Terry Farrell and Partners in 1995 and worked closely with Sir Terry Farrell on the design of many of the practice's Landmark Millennium Projects-the International Centre for Life in Newcastle and The Deep in Hull as well as leading the team preparing the planning submission for the conversion of the historic Lots Road Power Station in London. I was appointed a Partner in 1999 and worked for a year on the design of the new Home Office in Marsham Street in Westminster, supporting Sir Terry at multiple presentations to the then Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and senior representatives of his Government, Westminster Council and the GLA.
- Farrells was one of the first UK practices to establish an office in China and I worked closely with this team to deliver designs for Samsung in Korea and with the preparation of its successful bid for the new Inchon International Airport which was a spectacular win for the practice against many other international design agencies. In the middle of this period of very large and ambitious projects I also designed and delivered the private houses for Tony Pidgley at Berkeley Homes in Richmond which won a National House Builders and Civic Trust Award and although modest in scale was an opportunity to deliver a full working drawing package for a very high value residential development. I also engaged in the practices wider urban design masterplanning initiatives and helped prepare successful bids for North Greenwich Peninsula and the Paddington Basin Developments. Undoubtedly, the privilege of working closely with Sir Terry was where I acquired the skills to prepare urban designs of all scales and the confidence to present to Clients, Planning Authorities and Institutions with concision and clarity.
Architect / Director
Troughton McAslan Architects
London
09.1986 - 01.1996
- I started work at Troughton McAslan as a recently qualified Part 3 joining an exciting, newly formed young practice of two partners and 5 members of staff. My first project was the repurposing of redundant sheds into workplace studios in Islington for Derwent Valley PLC. This led to more adaptive reuse projects and these imaginative transformations of historic buildings became a real signature of the practice and a consistent thread throughout my own portfolio. The practice grew rapidly to over 40 staff in 4 years and I was its first appointed Associate and then Director in 1991. My principal projects in those formative years were the new offices for Apple Computers at Stockley Park, Redhill Railway Station in Surrey and then the FC3 Offices at Canary Wharf which was the first building to be designed at this location by a European Architect. As the practice continued to grow its work became more International and I was given the opportunity to create designs for the new Max Mara Headquarters in Milan and the Yapı Kredi Bank Headquarters in Istanbul. Many of these projects were designed without profound CAD support and I developed the ability to quickly generate concept and detail design documentation to an agreed programme.
Education
BA Hons + B Architecture - Architecture
Manchester University
Manchester 09.1976 - 06.1984
Skills
- Adobe Creative Suite (20 years)
- Auto CAD (20 years)
- Enscape (3 years)
- V-Ray (3 years)
- SketchUp (15 years)
- Concept Design /DrawingNarratives
- Detail Design Packages
- Project Coordination
- Communication /Client Facing
- Presentation
- Team Leadership
- New Business Development
Languages
English
Russian
Interests
I believe Architecture can be a toxic profession in terms of its effect on a healthy work-life balance and I am very committed to a regime of daily exercise and yoga. I am a keen mountain trekker and am passionate about environmental sustainability having planted over 2000 trees in the last 10 years.
Awards
AIA International Award 2020, Museum of Russian Impressionism, British Construction Awards 2019, Sacred Heart Cathedral Kericho, RIBA National Award, Kings Cross Station, 2017, International Property Award Bolshevik Factory Moscow, 2014, Civic Trust +Landscape Institute Awards 2013, Stanislavsky Factory, Moscow, CivicTrust Award 2010, Roundhouse Theatre
Sector Experience
- Completed Masterplans
- Lancaster University 2008-2020
- Manchester University 2005 -2015
- Goldsmiths College 2010 - 2015
- Dulwich College 2015 -2020
- Residential
- Holland Park Villas 2016/ Native Land+Grosvenor Estates
- Thames Side West Residences/London Docks/GLA Land+Keystone Properties
- Wellington House/London Land Securities 2012
- Apex House / Seven Sisters London Grainger 2012
- Dalston Junction London Barrett East London 2008
- Casa Armani Moscow 2022 Vostok Group.
- Transport
- Kings Cross Station London Network Rail 1997-2012
- Commercial
- 80 Fenchurch Street London Frogmore Estates 2006
- Bolshevik Factory Offices Moscow Horus Capital / 01 Properties 2010-15
- Religious Assembly
- Kericho Cathedral Kenya RC Diocese of Kericho 2016
- Governmental
- The Home Office Marsham St 2005 Home Office Gov.U
- Hotel / Hospitality
- Mandarin Oriental Hotel Doha 2016 Msheireb Properties
- Nobu Hotel Al Marjan Island UEA Enevoria / Nobu 2025
- Cultural
- The Roundhouse Camden The Norman Trust 2006
- Mosfilm Centre Moscow 2020 AB Development / Mosfilm.
Practice History
- John McAslan Architects London Partner 2004-2023
- Sir Terry Farrell London Partner 1995-2004
- Troughton McAslan London Director 1986-1995
- Reiach+ Hall Edinburgh Architect Part 1 1984-1986
- BDP Manchester Architectural Assistant 1980-1981
Timeline
Partner
John McAslan+ Partners
01.2004 - 01.2023
Partner
Terry Farrell and Partners
01.1995 - 01.2004
Architect / Director
Troughton McAslan Architects
09.1986 - 01.1996
BA Hons + B Architecture - Architecture
Manchester University
09.1976 - 06.1984