We are thrilled to commemorate a remarkable milestone for our colleague, Tim Smissen – or ‘Lucky Jeff’ as he’s more affectionately known (thanks to his success with many a company sweepstake!) – who this October celebrates twenty years at Anderson Orr.
An alumnus of The Royal Hospital School, Suffolk, the University of Central England (now Birmingham City University), and Oxford Brookes – and with qualifications spanning a BA(Hons) in Architecture, DipArch in Architecture, RIBA and ARB – his academic journey is marked by excellence, and his commitment to the architectural profession unwavering.
A quiet and rather self-effacing architectural genius, Tim’s technical brilliance, love for fine details and order – plus the driest sense of humour – make him a true asset to the company. Over the past two decades, he has lent his expertise to a wide range of projects, from individual private houses to industrial units, developer apartments to showrooms. His true calling, however, is the preservation of architectural heritage, to which he always returns.
Tim’s dedication to architectural excellence – in particular, the careful preservation, conversion, and adaptation of Listed Buildings – has earned him deserving recognition in the field. Notable among his achievements are being shortlisted for the Grand Designs Award for the Conversion of a Listed Building, in 2013, in addition to multiple letters of commendation through the years from the Oxford Preservation Trust for prominent restoration projects in the city.
In the world of architecture, if ‘God is in the detail’, then Tim is a kindred spirit to architectural legend Mies van der Rohe, and it is this meticulous attention to every element – no matter how small – that has garnered such admiration with both clients and colleagues alike.
Beyond his professional life, Tim is a man of diverse interests and talents. First and foremost, he is a family man - raising two teenage boys with his wonderful wife, Amy. He actively pursues fitness challenges like Tough Mudder and Fan Dance – reflecting the determination and resilience we know so well – but he equally enjoys the tranquillity of country walks and the creativity of gardening.
Join us in celebrating Tim's incredible journey at AO - two decades of shaping the architectural landscape with innovation and preserving our heritage with care. Here's to twenty more years of precision, and architectural artistry – to a colleague, mentor, and friend, whose passion for excellence continues to inspire us all.
