Keith Southernwood has joined Rural Solutions as senior architectural technologist, bringing experience from both architectural practice and residential development.
Based at the rural land and property consultancy’s Skipton office, Southernwood will work with landowners, developers and private clients on projects across the region and beyond.
His career has included several years as construction director at local residential developer Candelisa, as well as architectural roles with Watson Batty Architects.
That combination has given him experience across the planning, design and delivery stages of residential development, including the practical considerations involved in taking schemes from concept through to construction.
Rural Solutions said his appointment will add further technical design expertise to its architecture team, particularly across residential schemes and projects in rural and sensitive locations.
Southernwood is based in Skipton and has strong links to the local area.
Sally Ormiston, Director at Rural Solutions at Rural Solutions said:
“Keith brings a really useful combination of architectural and construction experience to the team. Having worked both within an architectural practice and on the developer side, he understands the realities of taking a project from design through to delivery.
“That practical knowledge will be a real asset to our clients and project teams, particularly on residential schemes where good technical design and buildability are critical.
“With planning reform opening up significant new opportunities for the development of high-quality homes in rural locations, we are very pleased to welcome Keith to Rural Solutions and look forward to the contribution he will make as the architecture team continues to grow.”
Southernwood already had experience of Rural Solutions before joining the business, having previously been a client of the firm.
Keith added:
“I’m delighted to be joining Rural Solutions. Having been a client of the firm, I was attracted by the breadth of work the practice undertakes and its focus on creating high-quality development that responds to its rural setting.
“I’m looking forward to bringing my experience and knowledge to the team and getting involved in the range of projects Rural Solutions is delivering across the region and beyond.”
Rural Solutions is a consultancy, planning and design practice specialising in rural land and property.
Its work spans strategy, planning, architecture, landscape and project management, with clients including landowners, estates, developers, businesses and private individuals across the UK.
