23/06/2026
Say hello to Sam 👋👋 From electrician to LEP's London Architectural Lead, Sam's career has been shaped by a deep understanding of how buildings come together - both in theory and in practice.
💬 What inspired you to pursue a career in your field?
"From a young age, I was far more interested in taking things apart and understanding how they worked than actually playing with them. I initially trained and worked as an electrician, running my own business for several years before retraining as an architect. For me, architecture is the perfect balance of technical understanding, creative problem solving and the responsibility of shaping environments that genuinely impact people’s lives. That said, the practical foundation I gained as an electrician has given me a deep respect for construction and the people who deliver projects on site."
💬 Who or what inspires your creativity?
"Places more than people. Travelling and experiencing new places, adaptive reuse projects and well-designed educational spaces often spark ideas in me. I’m particularly inspired by projects that successfully combine old and new, retaining the story of a building while introducing contemporary intervention.
I particularly appreciate buildings that effortlessly fit into the existing streetscape, which, as we all know, can be hard to do well. There’s something powerful about architecture that feels inevitable, as though it has always belonged there."
💬 How do you see your field evolving in the coming years?
"Sustainability and adaptive reuse will continue to dominate the profession. There is increasing responsibility on architects to reduce embodied carbon, extend the life of existing buildings and work more intelligently with what we already have.
I also think the route into architecture will continue to diversify. Having come from a practical background myself, I’m a strong advocate for alternative pathways, including apprenticeships, to make the profession more accessible."
💬 Finally, the most divisive question amongst the LEP team - what's your favourite biscuit/ snack?
"Hobnob – robust, textured and dependable. The brickwork of the biscuit world." 💪
