Bob Schmidt

I've lived in London since 1987, moving from Chicago to work on the Canary Wharf master plan. Building partnerships with private developers, educational institutions, local authorities and regeneration companies, I've helped deliver complex planning and urban design schemes in the US, UK and Europe. I enjoy helping clients achieve their goals and aspirations, while developing my own design approach.

Living and working in lively urban centres, I'm constantly exposed to the best - and worst - of what designers have imposed on the cityscape, which in turn shapes my work.

Master planning is often a slow process - many years can pass between the initial design concepts and new communities moving in. In that case, it is important that the schemes have a strong vision or framework but remain flexible to change over time.

Two UK design projects for which I'm currently leading on design embody the principles of a strong but flexible framework: the Ransome Road Master Plan in Northampton and Bedford's Lansdowne Road Development. We've established a regeneration vision for both schemes and worked through a comprehensive design approach for the buildings and infrastructure. After securing planning permission, I'm confident we will be retained to help our clients see their vision realised in construction.

Although rock 'n' roll is my main musical vice, I appreciate a bit of every genre and draw parallels between an urban designer's role and that of an orchestra leader. Co-ordinating the skills of Halcrow's planners, engineers and designers, we're able to bring together a hugely talented 'orchestra' - a complicated, sometimes deafening, process that culminates in highly stimulating, enjoyable work.