Jez Watson

Architectural Designer

Jez joined Design Engine in May 2021 after graduating from the University of Portsmouth with a Masters in Architecture (RIBA Part II).

Jez joined Design Engine in May 2021 after graduating from the University of Portsmouth with a Masters in Architecture (RIBA Part II).

During his Masters, Jez worked on a masterplan for the Isle of Wight, which he presented with Studio MUD at a public consultation. Within this he designed a ‘Brewstillery’, which used a local stream for production and the River Medina for delivery of alcoholic products. In the Latent Dynamics Studio, he looked at the regeneration of Newcastle and how the city could respond to disaster scenarios such as a weather phenomenon. Jez chose a local quarry to place a ‘village building’ that could transform into a military base in times of crisis.

For his thesis dissertation, Jez investigated flood resilient architecture and landscapes that could positively change the flooding experience for communities in the UK. His thesis design adapted and reinstated parts of the River Itchen and its ancient canals, and introduced a blue transport service with waypoints that would connect people to the Itchen. He then developed one of the waypoints; a Rowing Centre, for rowers across Hampshire, alongside a new lock for boats to navigate from Southampton to Winchester, and a bridge that would act as a finish line for an Itchen Regatta.

Prior to joining Design Engine, he gained experience working on high end residential projects at L A Hally Architect in Winchester. He has also worked for Kendall Kingscott, where he was involved with various public and private sector projects. Whilst working and living in Madrid he worked on high end retail projects in a Spanish speaking studio.