Simon Baker

BA(Hons), AA Dip

School of Architecture

University Teacher

simon.baker@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 7966 597800

Full contact details

Simon Baker
School of Architecture
Arts Tower
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN
Profile

I joined; Sheffield School of Architecture in 2014, the same time as founding Group Ginger architects. The practice focuses on place, identity and distinction and, the studio, (re)-Activist architecture explores equivalent themes; foregrounding activity to amplify the significance of the user.

Since graduating from the Architectural Association, in 1995 I have worked, as a director, of national practices, gaining extensive architectural and urban design experience, and an interest in temporary activity to stimulate place.

I contribute to; Design Council CABE as a Built Environment Expert; a design review panellist for Yorkshire and Humber, a trustee of the Architecture Centre for the Leeds City Region and was the previous Chair of the Royal Institute of British Architects Yorkshire.

Teaching activities

I run a design studio, (re)-Activist Architecture focussed on invigorating places through the action and activity of its residents to create new community relevance and proposals that challenge the status quo.

The studio targets Cities in Flux, as a ginger group ‘Working from within’, seeking opportunities of un-solicited, re-activist architectural intervention.

Initial explorations through constructed situations free the studio to operate beyond the architectural object and to have a visioning role, focused on place-making and experience. Our territory is under-utilised, identified but stalled sites in a state of perceived valueless; areas that are apparently lacking conventional perceptions of ‘community.’

We explore how our role as architects might be developed into that of concept managers or curators with on-going relationships to place-making, influencing policy, defining space, public use and participatory involvement.

We aim to create proactive proposals for the city that are formed from the culture of its residents.

I coordinate the core module of Management Practice and Law for the diploma architecture school. The lecture series is referred to as communication, responsibility and enterprise, these being key skills required when working in practice.

Professional activities and memberships
  • Royal Institute of British Architects Yorkshire Council Past Chair
  • Built Environment Expert, Design Council CABE
  • Design Review Panellist, Yorkshire and Humber, Integreat Yorkshire
  • Architecture Centre for Leeds City Region, Trustee