Toby Howell

Tell us something about you that not many people know
Everyone who knows me knows this but I’m an Isle of Wighter – Born and bred! Came off the island to live properly (if you forget about University when I was 21), but the quieter life by the coast will always be in my veins.
Where and what did you study to get yourself where you are today?
Too many places -well it felt like it. Portsmouth University for my degree in Architecture (Part 1), followed by Kingston University for Part 2 Architecture and I finally completed my Architecture training at London South Bank University for Part 3.
Where have you worked previously?
If you exclude two summers as a work experience minion for a small architectural practice on the Isle of Wight – nowhere! It has been man and boy at Mitchell Evans for 20 years this year – oh my goodness, I feel old!
What is the most interesting/exciting/unusual project you have worked on to date?
My first project was to design a Grave Digger’s storage shed in a church yard on the island where, during excavations we found an unmarked grave.
My most exciting and interesting project has to be Chilworth Manor with all the unexpected finds we encountered. From water storage vaults, a well in the kitchen, a possible secret tunnel , and further bones found during excavations (where the police had to be called to identify them). To our relief, the bones turned out to be nothing but a sheep’s thigh bone!
What is your favourite building – it can be anywhere in the universe.
My 10 year old self wants to put the Death Star!
Falling Water by Frank Lloyd Wright – he designed the house in just two hours including plans and visuals as the client decided to spring a surprise visit to his studio. And also the budget quadrupled!
How long have you been working in this industry / how long have you worked at MELLP?
Too long – 20 years this November. When can I retire?
What do you want to be when you grow up / what did the ’10 year old’ you want to be when you grew up
I have never known what I want to be when I grow up, and I still don’t! All I have ever known for sure is that I want to live on a beach – still do and will do somehow

house near waterfall — Falling Water by Frank Lloyd Wright

Tell us something about you that not many people know

Where and what did you study to get yourself where you are today?

Where have you worked previously?

What is the most interesting/exciting/unusual project you have worked on to date?

What is your favourite building – it can be anywhere in the universe.

How long have you been working in this industry / how long have you worked at MELLP?

What do you want to be when you grow up / what did the ’10 year old’ you want to be when you grew up