STUDIO LEADERSHIP : CARDIFF
SECTOR LEAD: SCHOOLS

Since joining the Cardiff Studio a decade ago, Victoria has built a broad portfolio of public sector work, guiding projects from initial concept through to completion. Her experience includes leading complex, phased developments across various sectors. Victoria is passionate about design excellence and particularly drawn to education and community projects, which she believes she has the power to profoundly enhance lives.

Victoria focuses on creating flexible, user-centred buildings that promote wellbeing, while ensuring sustainability and a strong sense of place are at the heart of every design. She is also developing expertise in working with existing and heritage buildings; an area that aligns closely with our sustainability goals. Victoria’s journey with Austin-Smith:Lord began when she was awarded the RIBA Wren Insurance Scholarship, which included mentorship from the practice. This support enabled her to undertake in-depth research for her thesis, focused on regenerating post-industrial mining communities in South Wales. She has since translated this academic interest into real-world impact, including leading roles on projects with community at their core.

With extensive recent experience working on school projects, Victoria has detailed knowledge of their technical requirements including for ALN/SEN cohorts. She develops strong working relationships with both the client and design team through her projects and is always striving for improvements based on lessons learnt and recent innovations.

Victoria is accomplished in analysing and developing the clients brief into an inspirational design concept that achieves value for the school whilst ensuring that the design is responsive to their needs and pedagogy, providing the right tools for them to embrace the New Welsh Curriculum and school’s specialisms and challenges, as evidenced at the award winning Fitzalan High School.
Recent experience working on both Llangatwg Community School Fairwater Campus with their NZC targets has further developed her knowledge and ability to develop and deliver an inspirational design that will positively impact the wider community.