Episode Details

Welcome to Where it's AT | the Architectural Technology Podcast

Peter Goldthorpe on HMO Conversions, Reusing Old Buildings, and the Changing Role of Architectural Technologists. Host Jon Clayton interviews Chartered Architectural Technologist Peter Goldthorpe, who runs a CIAT-registered practice working mainly with property developers on HMOs, new builds, and commercial-to-residential conversions. Peter describes discovering Architectural Technology after running a development company, choosing the hands-on technical route over CGI-heavy architecture, and quickly finding his niche away from residential clients. He outlines his end-to-end role from feasibility and commercial viability through planning, site work, and completion, emphasising reuse of older and listed buildings and the surprises they reveal. Peter discusses challenges with planning objections and misconceptions about HMOs, argues for high-quality shared living, and explains resilience in the face of criticism. He also highlights AI’s growing impact on client expectations and communication.

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Peter Goldthorpe MCIAT

Peter Goldthorpe is a Chartered Architectural Technologist who graduated with First Class Honours from The University of Northampton, and now runs his own CIAT registered Architectural Practice. He works across a broad range of sectors, predominantly with property developers on schemes such as Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs), new build sites and commercial to residential conversions.

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00:00 Introducing Peter Goldthorpe MCIAT

00:51 Discovering Architectural Technology

01:59 What Appealed To Peter About Architectural Technology

02:50 Current Work As a Sole Practitioner

03:38 Feasibility to Completion

04:49 Commercial Mindset

05:17 High End Co Living HMOs

06:41 Seeing Projects Built

07:46 Reusing Old Buildings

09:08 Surprises on Site

10:06 Planning Pushback Online

11:15 Defending Shared Living

14:09 Resilience and Appeals

17:13 Handling Keyboard Warriors

18:01 AI Changing Client Workflows

21:40 What Architectural Technologists Really Do

25:02 Tech Picks and Final Takeaways

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Know when to say no — and who to work with.

Peter is clear that the best decisions he's made in business have often been about turning work down. You don't have to take on every client or every project. When you're selective about who you work with and choose people who share your values and working approach, the quality of your work — and your enjoyment of it — improves dramatically. Getting clear on your niche early saves you a great deal of time and frustration further down the line.

Good design should stack up financially, not just look good.

Whether you're working on an HMO conversion or a commercial-to-residential scheme, Peter's approach is always to ask whether the numbers make sense before committing to a design — balancing what's attractive with what's actually buildable and financially viable. A beautiful scheme that never gets built is ultimately worthless to your client — and to you. Keeping one eye on the end value throughout the design process is what separates a commercially minded Architectural Technologist from one who's simply drawing for drawing's sake.

Don't let others define what you're capable of.

Don’t be pigeonholed as a draughtsperson who gets brought in at the end of a project. Peter's experience shows that you can — and should — be involved from the very first feasibility conversation right through to completion. Don't be put off by misconceptions, whether they come from clients, the public, or even other professionals. If you know your worth and can demonstrate the full range of what you offer, the right clients will recognise it.

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