Our studio
Take an old dairy, lashings of fresh air, a bunch of creative minds, and one lively whippet called Archi. That’s George & James.
So why George & James?
Because those are Simon and Darren’s middle names, and when the two of them were looking for the perfect name and scratching their heads over their kitchen table (they're partners in life as well as work), they liked the sound of it. Simon & Darren didn't have quite the gravitas they wanted, and Drayson & Leach, their surnames, made them sound ... well, not quite like the down-to-earth, approachable, first-name-terms practice they wanted to be.
Apart from this slight twist to the story, it's been a straightforward tale of growing the practice, one kindred spirit at a time.
Oh, and we’re no longer in Simon and Darren’s kitchen. Now we’ve each got our own desk (‘sit stand’ desks, no less), a lovely big table where we can get together or eat our lunch, and as much outdoor space as we – or Archi – could ever need.
"A pleasure to work with throughout"— Russell
The things we care about
The places where we live, work and play should be healthy and happy - filled with natural light, connected with nature, giving us everything we need to thrive.
But no two people are the same, so why should our homes, workspaces and social spaces be any different?
We have a simple mission: to create a place that starts with you.
We dig deep. We listen intently. We want to understand the way you live, to know what matters to you.
Context is our inspiration too, whether that's a busy city or the smallest hamlet, the deepest forest or the wildest coast. We relish getting to know your surroundings and drawing these into our design process.
We care deeply about how our buildings and interiors are made, which means turning materials over in our hands, thinking through the detail, and debating the finer points of craft.
Team
We might appear young, but we’re surprisingly experienced. Between us we’ve worked on everything from York Theatre Royal and the cafe at Westminster Abbey to multi-housing developments and – of course – beautiful one-off houses in stunning locations.
We’ve left behind the more bureaucratic, sometimes cumbersome elements of the larger practices which launched us as architects. But those years opened our eyes to the possibilities of architecture and gave us a solid grounding, as well as confidence and ambition. Now we relish the freedom of being George & James.
We still work on complex, ambitious projects, but we do it our way. While rigour and efficient systems are as important as ever, there’s always space for an independent spirit, our best selves, and a readiness to get stuck in.
Our different perspectives bring a great deal to the studio, and we love bouncing ideas off each other and putting our heads together when a problem seems particularly knotty. Those are some of the very best things about being the resourceful, close-knit team we are.
Simon and Darren are both visiting tutors on the architecture course at the University of Portsmouth, so that enriches the conversation still further. It connects us to academic thinking, to even more perspectives, and to the optimism of the younger generation (and perhaps it keeps us looking so young too).
We’re lucky enough to work with some great consultants, and when we need a specialist craftsperson or heritage expert, say, we know exactly who to call. They’re very much part of the team too, and we’ll always appreciate what they bring to the table.
Simon Drayson Director
Simon is the ‘George’ in George & James (it’s his middle name), and when he and Darren founded the practice they embodied the perfect combination of skills and interests, with Simon bringing more emotional intelligence and Darren more logic and analytical thinking. Simon has worked on his fair share of high-profile urban projects over the years, as part of extensive teams and big practices, but upping sticks and going it alone definitely ranks as one of the best decisions of his life.
Choosing the heart of the South Downs as the home of George & James was another good shout. It suits him well, and it’s turned out to be the perfect place to grow a team of like minds, all of whom relish their muddy surroundings and the interesting, landscape-led projects that come their way.
But Simon is also drawn to wilder, rougher landscapes, so if he’s not around it could well be that he’s picked up his paddle, set off into the distance, and taken to the water for a much-needed spot of whitewater kayaking. (That’s his equivalent of letting his hair down.)
'I set up George and James Architects primarily to be my own boss with the work/life balance that can bring. As the years have gone by, this has now become more about working with like-minded clients and colleagues, on projects that fire me up... bringing Archi to the studio makes everyone happy, although he both adds and removes stress equally!'
Darren Leach Director
Darren is very much a left-brained person, and by that we mean he has an analytical mind and an eye for the tiniest and trickiest of details. Both are, of course, very valuable qualities in an architect, and both are much appreciated by his clients, whether he’s finalising drawings or resolving an unexpected problem on site.
Before leaving it all behind to set up George & James with Simon, he worked for large and long-established London practices, and one of his first projects at George & James was a new home for one of his former directors – a true vote of confidence in his ability to do a brilliant job for the most exacting of clients.
It isn’t unknown for an architect to hark back to the joys of Lego as the inspiration for their choice of career – but, for Darren, Lego was never just a phase. He's always been happy to get down on the floor, get building, and let his imagination do its thing. Lego is still an inspiration, still a way of playing with shape and structure, and still a way of flexing his creativity – freely and without the usual adult responsibilities.
'I joined Simon in creating George and James so that we could work on the projects that we most enjoy, with likeminded people, and make a difference to people's lives. As we have grown we have been lucky to work with some amazing people, including our growing team. Arriving at the studio always brings a smile to my face, and on the toughest of days the sense of community is both supportive and inspiring. We are excited about the future, and what it might bring!'
Nick Corrie Associate Architect
If Nick hadn't become an architect, he would – by his own admission – have made an excellent engineer. He's practical, straightforward and technically skilled, and his down-to-earth, level-headed cleverness is one of the things we all appreciate about him.
He came to us after almost exactly a decade in a larger and very different kind of practice, but his intuitive understanding of the mechanics – and dynamics – of busy building sites, and his ability to get on with everyone, make him a natural fit here too.
Nick tells us that (in a work context at least) he's never felt more at home than in our Sussex pump room with its ply-lined walls, muddy yard, and forward-thinking conversation. A good result, then, and a win-win for us all.
'I absolutely love working at George and James Architects because of the amazing team atmosphere. It's inclusive, and everyone's opinions and ideas are valued and heard. Plus, the office is situated in the heart of the countryside, creating the perfect work environment that keeps me motivated and inspired. The beautiful setting is just one of the many perks of my job that I truly appreciate. I feel extremely grateful to be part of such a fantastic company where I can thrive, learn and grow as a professional.'
Chris Kempster Architect
Swapping the Shoreditch traffic for cows in a field wasn't Chris's only motivation for joining us – or so he says. It was also about the human side of things: a smaller, tighter team where talking intently with clients, sketching furiously, and getting stuck into all aspects of a project is just our way of making great buildings.
But we're glad he's not completely turning his back on his previous life after 8 years working on large, complex and very urban projects, and we love what he's bringing to our studio. He's pushing us to think even more deeply about sustainability. He's encouraging us to explore unusual materials. And he’s inspiring us with his enthusiasm for grappling with older, knottier buildings.
And, on a slightly different note, he’s reminding us of the pleasures of seeing – and feeling – the seasons change, something that is so much easier to do here than in the streets of London. While most of the world talks about the need to separate work from life, it seems that Chris is delighted to be blurring their edges.
'I really enjoy the relaxed environment and unique setting of our countryside office; a collaborative space with a team of like-minded thinkers and doers. Here, I'm not only encouraged to bring my voice and experience to the table, but there's also flexibility to strike a balance between my work and family life. Adding to the mix our long list of exciting projects means it truly is an inspiring and fulfilling place to work.'
Russell McCourty Architectural Technologist
Russell is a Chartered Architectural Technologist, and that means he brings a scientific, rigorous eye and a deep understanding of materials to everything he does.
So, if you want to know about emerging technologies, the ins and outs of embodied carbon, and the finer points of different building methods, then he would love to help. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (FCIAT for short), and – if you hadn’t noticed by now – he is a bit of a champion of our profession. With our laser-sharp focus and our ability to resolve tricky technical problems, they bring so many benefits to our clients and to our colleagues.
Born and bred here in West Sussex, and, apart from his stint away in Bristol and Bath for his degree, he has always lived round these parts. He now has made his home in Midhurst, less than ten minutes up the road from the studio. But that’s not the only good thing about working here – Russell loves the positive, outward-looking-energy of the practice, it’s the perfect place for him to be.
'Even after over a decade in the industry, working at G&J has allowed me to still learn new things from working alongside talented, like-minded, and enthusiastic people. I also get excited to be able to design environmentally significant or technologically intricate projects, where each one has its own set of challenges to overcome - and working for G&J gives me the platform to do just that. Working in the countryside less than 10 minutes from home also has its upsides!'
Andrew Pizzey Architectural Designer
Andrew joins us for his Part 1 year out after finishing his BA(Hons) Architecture Degree in Portsmouth (where he was tutored by Simon.) From living and learning in one of the most densely populated cities in the country, the switch to rural West Sussex will be one that brings many different opportunities.
He takes an interest in how the details of architecture can be used to control the emotional response and spatial experience of a place, creating pause spaces where the mind can be left to its own accord, thought provoking pockets perhaps. His most recent project would be that of his Major Design for his final year of his undergraduate degree titled ‘Row Rejuvenation’. The focus of which was to understand the importance and success of row and terraced dwelling typologies how they could be utilised to meet the social and economic needs of the generations to come.
Whilst loving outdoor adventures he also finds pleasure in socialising, cooking and playing drums. Looking forward to all the amazing outdoor adventures the South Downs has to offer it is fair to say he won’t be left without options during his time with us.
'The G&J team never fails to provide bright, happy moments throughout the day which makes the environment a pleasure to be a part of. Amongst the attention to the smallest of details in the work we do, we often get out to walk Archi the studio helper at lunch to take a break and chat about all things non-architecture. That is one of the best parts of working here at G&J is how we don’t leave our true selves at the Studio door and are able to comfortably and confidently resemble ourselves.'
Claire Lupton Studio Manager
Claire is responsible for the running of our busy architectural studio. Her background is in marketing and customer relationship management, when you get in touch with us, she will be the first person to welcome you to George & James.
Claire has always had a passion for design, she started her career working for a large architectural firm before specialising in digital marketing, working for several professional services organisations and educational establishments. She has managed large teams delivering sales and marketing strategies. She found her passion as an Account Director, where every day she could spend time understanding clients’ challenges and providing solutions. Her typical day will be spent honing our marketing plan, speaking to new clients to understand their project and supporting Simon and Darren with the smooth operational running of the studio.
In her spare time Claire enjoys spending time with her family and young son especially by the beach. She also mentors young people to help them with their career path and organises local charity events.
Claire comments 'I love meeting people and helping them with their challenges, it is great to have such a varied role here, I am able to meet our clients and work with them from initial enquiry, to the completion of their dream project.
I am able to bring my commercial experience to aid with the steady growth and evolution of George & James. I also love the studio and being able to work in the country with a friendly and talented team.'
Archi Studio Dog
Archi, the studio whippet.
He joined the George & James team in early 2022 and has been causing low level chaos ever since. His favourite pastime is chewing things he shouldn’t (material samples, shoes and furniture are the main targets) and will always try to join a client zoom call.
Fortunately, he does let us get on with our work and even gets involved in the design process for some projects, like the Agility Desk for Barkitecture. As a team we enjoy having him around the place, we find having dog in the studio increases the feeling of well-being and encourages us all to take a break from our desk to take him for a walk in the beautiful countryside, or even just a quick tummy rub.