George Clarke: A Life in Architecture, Media and Design

Architect and TV presenter George Clarke will discuss ‘A Life in Architecture, Design and Media’ when he returns to Northumbria University next week.

Delivered as part of Northumbria’s public lecture series, George will cover his experiences in architecture, design and media, from his professional practice, to the success of TV series such as Amazing Spaces and Restoration Man. He will also set out his views on British domestic architecture, innovation and the UK construction industry. It will be the first time George has come back to Northumbria after being awarded an Honorary Degree last summer.

After graduating as an architect in 1995, George trained and worked with Faulkner-Browns in Newcastle, before joining world famous architect Sir Terry Farrell, working in both London and Hong Kong. He went on to complete his training at the renowned Bartlett School of Architecture at University College London, before setting up his own successful practices: clarke:desai in 1998 and then George Clarke + Partners in 2011.

George launched his broadcasting career with three successful series of Build A New Life for Five from 2003 to 2006, becoming the face of architecture at Channel 4 with the launch of The Home Show in 2008, Restoration Man in 2009, and The Empty Homes Show in December 2011.  

Speaking last year about Northumbria’s department of Architecture and Built Environment, George said: “A lot of architectural schools do theoretical pieces of architecture that just stay on paper and never get realised.

“Everyone involved in this University are trying to create real projects out there in industry that are being planned and developed and built, so the students are constantly getting the chance to work on a real-life project.” He continued. “I think this makes Northumbria very distinctive because there aren’t many other places that are doing it.”

Today, George is arguably best-known for his work on The Home Show, Restoration Man and George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces. He is also the founder of his own television production company, Amazing Productions, and the author of several books.

He is also an ambassador for charitable causes, including Shelter, The Maggie Centres, Prince's Foundation for Building Community and City & Country Group, and is a Patron of the Civic Trust Awards. In April 2012, he was appointed as an independent adviser to the government to help bring thousands of empty properties back into use for families in need of stable, secure homes.

‘A Life in Architecture, Design and Media’ will take place Monday 25 April between 6.30pm – 7.30pm in the Business and Law Building, City Campus East, Lecture Theatre 001.

Refreshments will be available from 6.00pm. Free admission

For more information on Northumbria’s Architecture and Built Environment course visit: https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/academic-departments/architecture-and-built-environment/