Interview:

Tim Winstanley, AIA, RIBA, is an architect whose work spans large-scale public architecture, complex structural systems, and innovative design methodologies. Drawing from extensive international experience, Winstanley has been deeply involved in projects that explore how long-span spaces can be conceived, developed, and realized within diverse cultural and construction contexts.

In this interview, he reflects on the design process behind large public projects, the role of emerging design tools, and the challenges of delivering high-quality architecture in rapidly developing regions.

From Concept to Completion: Understanding Long-Span Spaces

For Winstanley, long-span architecture is never purely a structural exercise. Instead, it is a spatial and experiential problem that must be resolved across multiple scales—from urban presence to human occupation.

“A long-span space must perform structurally, but it also needs to create a sense of orientation, identity, and civic presence,” he explains.

He emphasizes that the earliest conceptual decisions—geometry, circulation, light, and enclosure—often determine the success of the project more than later formal refinements. Long-span spaces demand clarity of intent, as they tend to become the focal points of public life.

Design Process: Integrating New Methods Early

A recurring theme in Winstanley’s work is the early integration of advanced design methods throughout the project lifecycle.

Rather than treating digital tools as downstream problem-solvers, he advocates for using computational design, parametric modeling, and performance analysis from the outset. This approach allows architects to test structural logic, environmental response, and constructability simultaneously.

“New design methods are most powerful when they inform decision-making early, not when they’re used to justify decisions already made.”

This mindset enables a more iterative and collaborative workflow, where architects, engineers, and fabricators contribute to shaping the project well before construction begins.

Large-Scale Public Projects as Design Laboratories

Winstanley often uses large public projects as case studies to illustrate how architectural ideas evolve under real-world constraints. Such projects, he notes, offer unique opportunities to experiment with scale, structure, and public engagement.

Public buildings—transport hubs, cultural venues, exhibition spaces—require architecture to operate simultaneously as infrastructure and civic symbol. In these contexts, long-span systems become tools for openness and flexibility, accommodating diverse uses over time.

Building Quality Architecture in Emerging Countries

Having worked extensively across emerging markets, Winstanley highlights the importance of contextual intelligence when pursuing architectural quality.

“High-quality architecture is not about importing solutions,” he says. “It’s about understanding local construction culture, supply chains, climate, and social expectations.”

He stresses that innovation in such contexts often comes not from advanced materials alone, but from reinterpreting available techniques and aligning ambition with local expertise. This approach leads to buildings that are both globally competitive and locally grounded.

Collaboration and Construction Realities

Winstanley places strong emphasis on collaboration throughout the design and construction process. For complex long-span projects, close coordination between architects, structural engineers, and contractors is essential.

He notes that maintaining design intent through construction requires architects to remain actively involved, understanding fabrication tolerances, sequencing, and on-site decision-making.

“Architecture is tested on site. That’s where ideas either become stronger—or fall apart.”

Looking Ahead: The Future of Large-Scale Architecture

As architecture increasingly responds to global pressures—urbanization, sustainability, and technological acceleration—Winstanley sees long-span public spaces playing a critical role in shaping collective experience.

He believes future architectural practice must remain adaptable, integrating new tools while remaining grounded in human experience.

“Technology will continue to evolve, but architecture must always answer the same fundamental question: how does this space make people feel, move, and connect?”

About Tim Winstanley

Timothy Winstanley, AIA, RIBA, is an internationally experienced architect known for his work on large-scale public and cultural projects. He previously served as Senior Architect at Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, contributing to complex, high-profile projects that explore long-span structures, advanced design methodologies, and integrated construction processes. He is an active speaker and contributor to architectural discourse on global practice and innovation.