We are so excited to welcome Joanne Potter to our team! With a background in the hospitality and commercial sector, Joanne’s experience will be invaluable in some of our upcoming ventures. Get to know a little more below!

Introduce yourself!

I’m Joanne, Project Architect at LBA. I recently joined the practice so I’ve been getting settled in as a new member of the LBA family.

Why LBA? What’s your background, how did you end up here?

After moving over to Scotland from Northern Ireland, I studied Architecture at the University of Dundee. Once I finished my degree, I stayed in Dundee to complete my Master project which was the construction the Micro Marco Studio in Dundee Botanic Garden. It was a great opportunity to get hands on construction experience and in-depth research into Passivhaus standard building. Upon completion of the Studio I moved to Edinburgh to start my work in practice. My previous experience before LBA was primarily in the Hospitality and Commercial sector and I’ve worked on numerous large scale projects across the UK. I was ready to move on to expand my experience and so when I was offered a job at LBA I jumped at the chance. I studied for my RIBA professional accreditation with LBA’s very own Emily Diez so I was so excited to start, I’d heard lots of great things!

Coolest thing you’re working on right now?

I’m working on quite a few cool projects at the minute, including a couple of new developments in East Lothian and the Scottish Borders which are both very different but shaping up to be lovely projects. But the one that jumps out is a residential refurbishment in Edinburgh which includes not one but two new subterranean garden rooms. It’s going to be a challenge but, together with Samantha, I can’t wait to see how it develops

What’s your pet peeve?

One uppers – people that are constantly in competition and see every conversation as a challenge to be won.

Secret talent that no one knows about?

I tried clay pigeon shooting recently for the first time and surprised everyone (including myself and LBA’s resident expert Emily) by being the top in the group! I’ve not been back to try again but I assume it’s a god given talent and not beginners luck…

What’s something that surprised you about your chosen career?

How diverse it would be. Also how much I would enjoy all the various aspects, from the initial design development and getting to build relationships with new clients to the nitty gritty of construction details and resolving issues on site. It can be a difficult job at times but I wouldn’t change it!

What was your first job?

I was a waitress in a local restaurant

What are you passionate about?

I’m passionate about good design, which is often difficult to pinpoint. As architects and designers we get to make our mark on the world but I think it’s more important to focus on the spaces we create for the people that use them.

What could you give a 30 minute presentation about with no advance prep?

Harry Potter. That’s probably a bit cliched because of my name but I know a LOT about Harry Potter. No, we’re not related.

Who do you most admire and why?

Probably my twin sister Claire. I obviously love and admire all my family and all my siblings have been very successful in their chosen career, but I’ve always admired how Claire, who is a qualified Doctor of Psychiatry, took everything in her stride. I definitely don’t know or understand half of the challenges she’s been through throughout her studies and professional career but she has constantly excelled. Balancing teaching in the University, conducting research, and work in hospital she makes it all look easy! She has recently been accepted got an ICT Research Fellowship which allows her to continue her research and PhD which is testament to her hard work over the year. I’ll always admire her drive and passion.

What are you currently binging on Netflix?

The Good Place, there’s a new season coming out soon so we decided to watch it – thoroughly recommend it, it’s forking great

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?

I did a canyon swing in South Africa when I was travelling there with school. Don’t think I would’ve have done it if I’d been by myself but I didn’t want to be the only one who chickened out. I’m so glad I did it though because it was amazing