Jon chats with award-winning architect Carl Turner, founder of Turner.Works. Carl shares the first part of his career journey. From his beginnings as a mature student to building an amazing reputation for residential projects. He won a string of prestigious awards along the way. Several of Carl’s projects have featured on TV shows like George Clarke's Ugly House To Lovely House & Grand Designs. In 2013, Carl’s own home, Slip House, won the RIBA Manser Medal, and in 2021, Hove House won Grand Designs House of The Year. Carl talks about the benefits of hands-on construction for building designers, the importance of teamwork, and his itch to make a larger impact through public architecture. Plus the ups and downs of running his own firm straight out of university and the valuable lessons learned along the way.

Today’s Guest

Carl Turner is the founder of Turner Works, an architecture and urban design studio specialising in the early activation of sites and the meanwhile use of buildings. Carl has founded and set up several meanwhile projects, including Pop Brixton, Peckham Levels and Ashford Coachworks. The building of his own Brixton home was filmed by Grand Designs, and Carl has gone on to feature on Channel 4's 'Ugly House To Lovely House' as an expert in low-cost, high-impact design.

Episode Highlights

00:00 Introduction

01:07 Meet Carl Turner

03:53 The Importance of Taking Breaks

06:36 Carl's Early Career and Starting Turner.Works

11:14 Hands-On Construction Experience

26:01 Building a Reputation and Winning Awards

29:47 The Desire for Public Projects

31:25 Transition to Community Development

31:50 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser

Key Takeaways

Get Involved and Learn by Doing

You learn a lot when you get your hands dirty. If you help build things yourself, you understand how buildings really work. This makes you a better designer because you know what is possible and what is hard to do.

Take Breaks and Make Plans

You need to take breaks and step back sometimes. When you do this, you can see things more clearly and make better choices. If you just keep working without stopping, you might miss out on good ideas or make mistakes.

Work Together and Help Others

You do better when you work as a team. If you help other people and listen to their ideas, you can finish projects more easily. It is not just about you; it is about everyone working together to make something great.

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Next Episode

Next time, hear what happened after Carl decided to move away from residential architecture towards public projects.