Fred Batterton

I am fascinated by the intersection of architecture and faith. Architecture has always played a big role in my life, having designed buildings of many different types, both new ones and adaptations of existing buildings. I've also been director of two architect's practices.

But design on it’s own isn’t enough, some building projects don't have the satisfaction of lasting value or a particularly worthwhile purpose. My Christian faith is also been important to me. I discovered it when I was 16 and it remains solid for me. Faith anticipates that I do something meaningful with it.

I’m most inspired to explore ways of creating value for clients at the intersection of architectural design and Christian faith which is why I'm passionate about making the property of each Christian church fully serve its mission in the 21st-century. Everything from revitalising heritage church buildings to be effective for mission, through designing new facilities and seeing opportunities to create value that can be redeployed in mission. This can mean many things depending upon the aims and calling of each local church and we often apply a process to help the church to clarify this so that when we embark upon design, we are working towards clear goals to become more effective.

In Australia I am director of Studio B Architects and we have designed schools, churches, housing developments, sports facilities and a visitor centre. Heritage, cutting-edge new and being development savvy. This is an unusual and exciting mix for an architect. When explaining projects to client teams I consider that it is vital that they should fully understand what is being proposed and how the new facility can benefit their operation. I use on-screen presentations to achieve this and enable work-shopping. Studio B site: studiob.net.au

Where did all this start? I studied architecture in Oxford and practised as an architect in the UK for over 20 years, mostly as a director of Batterton Tyack Architects working on university projects in Oxford and many other building types in central England. The project for St Aldates church in central Oxford, adapting its heritage interior and constructing a new entry building, was my last in the UK before migrating to Australia in 2000. My UK experience had included housing for students, retirees, aged care and affordable housing. Restoring and adapting heritage mansion complexes into new village communities. Individual house projects included restorations, new houses and adaptations of agricultural and industrial buildings.

I write a blog, mostly covering issues of property and mission (http://studiob.net.au/blog). I occasionally speak at conferences using fully illustrated presentations. When explaining projects to client teams I consider that it is vital that they should fully understand what is being proposed and how the new facility can benefit their operation. I use on-screen presentations to achieve this and to enable work-shopping.

I am blessed with five adult children and five grandchildren. My wife and I live in Melbourne, Australia and I enjoy cycling, movies and long walks on the beach.