Alt Studios
ALT STUDIOS on challenging the expected
Paul Milner and Scott Savin, co-founders of architecture firm ALT STUDIOS, have devoted a good chunk of their lives to unconventional design. Despite some sacrifices, their paths have led them to be curious, experimental and passionate about choosing the unexpected. The pair talks to Pattern about their mission to exceed design expectations and the change they’d like to see in the world.
Edited by Ruby Guyler Photographs by Christopher Owens
What does a brief history of you look like?
Paul: I studied architecture followed by urban design at Newcastle University, with Blueprint magazine acknowledging me in the top 50 design graduates of 2009. Before establishing ALT STUDIOS, I spent eight years at Ryder Architecture. This culminated in the design and delivery of the multi-award-winning headquarter building for Tombola on the River Wear, Sunderland.
Alongside practice, I spent ten years delivering a masters module and served as a visiting critic at the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape within Newcastle University. Currently, I head up our self-initiated career programme CANDID, and serve as a STEM ambassador supporting aspiring architects at universities and secondary schools.
Scott: Like Paul, I studied architecture at Newcastle University in 2009 and decided to specialise in urban design by completing a masters degree. Before co-founding ALT STUDIOS, I worked for a number of practices across Northern England and delivered projects throughout the UK, with several of them winning multiple awards.
I combine practice with teaching and deliver a module at Newcastle University, where I educate future town planners, urban designers and architects on the art of placemaking. I also serve on several design review and judging panels, as well as being the Vice-Chair of the Darras Hall Estate Committee and a member of the Newcastle International Airport Consultative Committee.
Tell me about ALT STUDIOS. What do you attribute to its success?
We’re a design-led architectural and interior design studio consisting of a growing team of unconventional designers, who all have a collective belief in thinking hard rather than following the herd. Our current work spans the UK, from the capital to the Lake District and Yorkshire, right up to a Glen in the West Highlands! Our largest commission is actually in Northern Ireland.
Despite such diversity in scale, sector and location, what all of our clients have in common is that they genuinely value design and our process.
We think that our ethos - to passionately experiment and identify alternative approaches and outcomes which go beyond expectation in all our projects - and our network of like-minded collaborators are probably the main reasons for our success so far.
left, Paul Milner. right, Scott Savin
What do you love most about what you do every day?
Paul: For me, it’s the unrestricted nature of our design behaviours which are underpinned by curiosity, passionate search and experimentation. Alongside this, I enjoy being able to take self-initiated action to mobilise against established ways, opening up and realising ideas with high levels of originality and value.
Scott: It’s kind of a cliché but the best thing about the profession, and particularly owning your own business, is that every day can be very different - they can all present their own planned and unplanned challenges!
Have you had to make sacrifices in your chosen career, and have they been worth it?
There were a lot of personal sacrifices throughout our careers, such as missing family events and holidays. This happened a lot when we were studying at university, as it’s such a long academic journey. It puts aspects of your life on hold in some respect.
It’s not an easy profession to navigate and we’ve both questioned it over the years! But by persevering and adapting, it’s certainly been worth it. This is especially true now as we drive the direction and ethos of our own practice, which is something that really appeals to us.
“It’s not an easy profession to navigate and we’ve both questioned it over the years! But by persevering and adapting, it’s certainly been worth it.”
What are some of your daily rituals and why are they part of your routine?
Paul: I enjoy being amongst the daily rhythms of city life, particularly first thing in the morning. You’ll often find me in a cafe sorting through any admin and correspondence for projects and other essentials required to run our practice. This allows my mind to be fully focussed for creative design and project work, which happens for the best part of my day in our studio with our team. A meaningful daily walk helps recalibrate my mind before diving back into project work. I find that this approach, which has an underlying hierarchy, helps me to compartmentalise the different facets of running a business and being an architect.
Scott: I’ve recently got back into rising early and doing something each morning for my general wellbeing, such as going to the gym or for a run. I’m then back home and reviewing work or admin before my children are out of bed and the school run commences. Once that’s done, I head to the studio. We always go for a decent walk midday, which provides the opportunity to get some fresh air and clear the mind.
What does work/life balance look like for you?
We both have young children, so we generally work a couple of late nights a week so we can spend more time with our families on weekends. We always make a point of ensuring that we attend any events our children have at school. With the investment we’ve made in technology, we’re able to work anywhere. This makes it much easier to be productive in between other activities beyond the studio!
How do you stay focused and productive in a world of distractions?
Paul: We both try to portion our days into manageable chunks to ensure that all of the various tasks or projects we’re working on get equal attention. I also have set times during the day for addressing emails and being ‘online’, so to speak. My general principle is ‘If it’s urgent, ring!’
Scott: We have monthly and quarterly reviews where we make sure we’re fulfilling our project and business targets, as well as setting internal deadlines and aims to ensure momentum. This is underpinned by regular design reviews throughout the week for project-based work.
If you had the power to change the world, what would you change?
Scott: Having travelled to a lot of different countries over the years, you begin to realise that we’re incredibly lucky to live in this country - something that people seem to either overlook or not appreciate. So, if I could change anything, I’d like to see people from every country have access to the things that we have, such as free education, healthcare and freedom of speech.
Paul: I agree with Scott’s changes, so I’ll touch on something a bit different but current. Naturally, this isn’t applicable across the world (nor will everyone agree) but I’d like to see a genuine return to being at one with each other and our physical environment - where slowing down, tuning out, embracing the quiet and taking time to think aren’t demonised or perceived as too much effort.
More than ever, we live in an age saturated with new technology and information. Our pace of life is instant,driven by a click-bait culture of sound bites, 1-min reads, reels and fake news. Artefacts and information of true lasting value and credibility are becoming less accessible and apparent, lost within an escalating cesspit of data and noise – consumption of shit has hit fever pitch in recent years! As Brian Eno said almost twenty years ago: “Curatorship is arguably the big new job of our times.” Personally, this is more apt than ever but now a much greater challenge for all!
