Justine Leach
Director
A significant part of my career has been in design consultancy and in work for public agencies, and has involved large-scale housing development, mixed use masterplans, and strategic urban design guidance.
I lead the Oxford office. I am also responsible for design and feasibility for strategic land promotion and master planning projects for mixed use housing. I have formulated the vision, project briefs and development process to launch international competitions for spaces in Nottingham and on London’s South Bank. I have worked as an associate director at AECOM and for CABE. A spell working in Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur cemented my ambition to study urban design.
My aim is to inspire clients to challenge poor design, and help them to develop the skills to achieve high design standards, and I provide design leadership through the roles I have on the South West and national CABE design review panels.
I like nothing better than feeling the wind on my face at Treen beach in Cornwall and to have time to sketch, paint and visit exhibitions. I also enjoy beekeeping.
Q&A
High Rise by J G Ballard, a salutary reminder of the dehumanising scale of mass development and the power of design to influence human behaviour.,Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe, for his large scale masterplanning work, dedication to artistic thinking and his understanding of the transformation of natural geography for human use.,King’s Cross, because of its vitality and mix of people and spaces.
