Page 27 - The Constructor 2017

The Company

Our Members
Martin Watson
Martin was born in 1962 and died on 16 January 2017
following surgery. After secondary school, he completed
an Ordinary National Diploma in Construction before
studying Architecture at Manchester Metropolitan
University. He achieved a BA (Hons) and Diploma in
Architecture, a 1st Class honours in Architecture and was
highly commended for Urban Design. In 1991 he became
a Chartered Architect, thereby furthering his belief that
construction is a collaborative process. He followed this
by reading Interdisciplinary Design for the Built
Environment, where he graduated with a Master’s degree
from the University of Cambridge. He participated in the
2012 IDBE CEM Cambridge Union debate, successfully
arguing against the motion ‘This house believes
regulation stifles innovation’. Whilst at Cambridge, he wrote an essay, ‘Arkwright Town and the
Eldonians - A comparative study of socio economic and psychological aspects of displaced
communities in the UK’
In his early career Martin was involved in the development of a new village master plan and
community primary school of Arkwright Town. This early learning was important to him and
provided the inspiration to write his acclaimed essay, which received an honorary citation at the
2013 Chinese Urban Housing conference, the first time this honour had ever been received by a
western architect. The presentation was equally well received at the 2014 International Union of
Architects World Congress in South Africa.
In 2014, Martin was appointed as Associate Adjunct Professor at the Centre for Housing Innovation
at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and led a module on Housing Design and Development. He
recently led the multidisciplinary team at Brock Carmichael Architects that won the 2016 RIBA
International Design Competition to establish a self-sufficient and sustainable future for the people
of Tristan da Cunha, the most remote inhabited island in the world.
Martin had a distinguished architectural career for more than 25 years, mostly with Brock Carmichael
where he was a full equity partner and director of operations with lead responsibilities for innovation
in offsite manufacturing and education. He also helped develop Brock Carmichael’s business in
China and was a director of the Octagon Partnership, a unique sustainable architecture collaboration
between the firm and the Oval Partnership architectural practice. He was a committee member of
the Liverpool Architectural Society and a Freeman of the City of London through his membership of
the Worshipful Company of Constructors to which he was admitted as a Freeman in October 2012.
He also remained an active and committed supporter of ‘Habitat for Humanity on Poverty’ alleviation
projects in the UK and China. The City of Liverpool College has decided to name a new suite of STEM
laboratories in Martin’s memory – a fitting tribute for such a distinguished Architect.
Martin is survived by his wife Margaret (who has recently accepted our offer to be a Companion of
the Company), children Alex and Esther, his parents Brian and Edith, identical twin brother Tony and
younger brother Chris.

Autumn 2017 | The Journal of the Worshipful Company of Constructors | 27