Then and now... Simon Dunstan

In the latest instalment of Bdaily's Then and now series, Simon Dunstan, co-founder and director of Newcastle, Nottingham and London-based GT3 Architects, reflects on his career, from his first role to the present day, highlighting the lessons he has learned from his personal and professional evolution.

You’re co-founder and director of GT3 Architects. What does your role entail?

My role is to lead the business, drive growth and nurture our growing team. 

We believe in ‘people architecture’, which means putting people at the heart of everything we do, from collaborating as a team to working with clients and partners to the way we design our spaces. 

We exist to create places and experiences that genuinely improve lives and make a positive impact.

Whenever I can, I still love getting hands-on with projects, especially those involving existing buildings.

I have a real fondness for Jesmond Three Sixty. 

We started work on it in 2008, and it’s been incredible to see how far it’s come.

Did you always want to work in architecture, or did you have other ambitions growing up?

My lovely mum would say I wanted to be an architect from the age of four, and honestly, I have to agree; I can’t remember ever wanting to be anything else. 

It is a passionate vocation – if it’s in your blood, then it is hugely gratifying. 

I have never regretted my decision. 

What was your first job - and did you enjoy it? 

My first job was as a delivery driver for a local shop in Consett at Christmas time.

It was (and still is) an amazing family-run electrical appliance business that has many loyal customers. 

When I worked there, I used to jump into a van and deliver huge TVs, HiFis and VHS players to families ahead of the holidays. I really did feel like Santa Claus.

Were there any mentors or individuals who helped shape your career? And are you still applying lessons you learned from them to your workforce of today? 

Yes, my first boss Geoff Mann. 

He was charismatic, great with people and had a real gift for creating opportunities and inspiring action. 

He was such a character and used to attend stuffy board meetings in London wearing a blue shellsuit!

I think the industry could do with a few more people like him. 

His energy and ability to make things happen have always stuck with me. 

What attracted you to the architectural sector?

Architecture has always been the perfect intersection of art and science, creative yet grounded in solving real problems. 

That balance shaped the thinking behind GT3.

Our people-first ethos grew naturally from that foundation, reflecting our belief that architecture should do more than create buildings; it should make people’s lives better.

How do you feel you've changed as a person over the years? Have career roles brought new dimensions to your personality? 

As creative people, our life experiences manifest in our work. 

There are lots of things in my life that have influenced who I am today. 

Becoming a parent, for example, presented a huge step-change; it made me view things differently, perhaps with a bit more humility. 

When I set up GT3, I came at it with a ‘what can it do for me?’ attitude, whereas now I am forever thinking ‘what can I do for GT3 and its people?’  

Every person we employ makes a difference; just as we shape them, they shape us. 

I think we are richer and more diverse as a result. 

You’ve seen many changes to the employment world across your career – how do you see the workplace evolving in years to come?

Business is in a massively transitional phase.

It’s a tough economy, and architecture isn’t exempt from feeling the strain of rising inflation coupled with the skills gap.

Following the pandemic, most people want flexibility and hybrid working options. 

We are seeing some really cool offices emerge, which are very much people and planet-focused. 

At GT3, we’ve operated flexibly for years, and we recently moved into our new office in a hybrid capacity. 

Owning our own space was a big milestone, and we believe it helps people feel even more passionately about the positive workplace culture we promote.

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