People
JTA was formed in 2010 and has a diverse portfolio of work, ranging from bespoke luxury residential to school projects and is used to adapting its approach to suit the requirements of the brief and the client. We aim to work in close consultation with the client and other stakeholders and consider the development of the brief to be paramount to the success of a project.
Our team works with both new build and existing buildings and has experience of working with buildings of different eras and styles. JTA develops a contemporary language to clearly meet the client’s requirements and is experienced in marrying this sympathetically with the existing building fabric and vocabulary.
Jo Townshend
Jo graduated from the Bartlett, UCL in 1995 and spent 5 years working in London architectural practices. After spending a further two years converting and renovating a farmhouse in France she co-founded Architects in Residence (AiR). AiR won the competition to build a new River side Café in Rotherham as part of their regeneration programme and was selected to the framework list of small practices for the 2012 Athletes Village in the Olympic Park. AiR was also shortlisted for YAYA in 2008. Jo went on to found JTA in 2010 which has developed into a successful and vibrant small practice.
Jo moved to Blackheath in 2003 because she loved the Span Houses and their communities, designed by Eric Lyons, and has lived in a Span house ever since, renovating and extending it over time. As a member of the resident’s committee in her Span Development which is fifty years old, Jo learnt about the importance of longevity and about what it takes to make successful projects stay successful and how this can be built into the initial designs.
Jo was a governor at a local primary school for over six years. In her role as Chair of Governors she had to help the school develop capital projects. This has been an invaluable process of understanding the project development/construction process from the position of the client.
She has also taught design at the City & Guilds of London Art School and been an external examiner for the London Metropolitan University and The Bartlett (UCL) for RIBA Part 3 Professional Qualification.
Jo is a fluent French speaker experienced in working with local artisans and professionals in France and has previously been registered as a French architect in the Ordre des Architects.
Nick Blacker
Before joining us in 2023, Nick completed his part 1 at the University of Westminster and then went on to work as a freelance designer working on mainly listed residences around London, which include the renowned Alexandra Road Estate.
Nick is currently doing his MArch at the London School of Architecture. The LSA, which took its first students in 2015, was established specifically to bridge the gap between academia and the profession. It runs a postgraduate RIBA Part 2 programme, with students spending most of their first year working in practice. This gives students a progressive and practical route into the architectural profession which is aided by the Practice Network. A network of over 200 London based practices of all scales and specialisms (which JTA is proud to now be apart of) – which make up teaching faculty, conduct design reviews, provide invaluable support and resources and make up a community of practice and collaborators for students.
Outside of architecture, Nick is an avid dance music fan. You can often find him DJing on the weekend at venues and parties all over London and beyond.
Scout
Joining us in early 2018, any visitor to the JTA offices would have had the pleasure of meeting our loveable office receptionist Scout. She is keenly interested in long muddy walks, treats and a good belly rub!