James Smith is an eco-architect, upcycling enthusiast, and one of the directors of Raven Studios, working from Studio 1 at English Bridge Studios in Shrewsbury. With over 15 years of experience as a self-employed designer and maker, James brings together sustainability, creativity, and practical know-how in everything he does.

After leaving a high-pressure role managing airport outfitting projects, James shifted focus to the sustainability of the built environment. He studied at the Centre for Alternative Technology in Machynlleth, earning both an MSc and Professional Diploma in Architecture: Advanced Environmental and Energy Studies. That time shaped his enduring passion for community-led design, urban sustainability, and reimagining how we live within our spaces.

Much of James’s architectural work centres on refurbishment and retrofit—enhancing existing buildings to make them healthier, more energy-efficient, and more joyful to inhabit. From extensions and loft conversions to energy audits and sustainability reports, his work blends environmental awareness with creative problem-solving. He’s especially passionate about insulation—“the real sexy side of architecture”—and the opportunity to transform homes into more comfortable, affordable, and climate-conscious spaces.

Beyond the desk, James is a hands-on maker who loves to upcycle furniture, do carpentry, and work on his allotment. He’s currently developing a workshop space at MakeSpace Studios that will offer rentable workbenches and promote reuse, repair, and repurposing as a creative force for good.

Despite the challenges in the world today, James remains hopeful. For him, real change starts in community spaces like English bridge studios—places where vision, innovation, and collaboration can shape a more sustainable future.