George Clarke (born 27 May 1974) is an English architect, television presenter, lecturer and writer, best known for his work on the Channel 4 programmes The Home Show, The Restoration Man and George Clarke's Amazing Spaces.
Video George Clarke (architect)
Early life
Clarke was born in Sunderland and brought up in nearby Washington. His mother, Anne, worked at Oxclose Comprehensive School, where Clarke was a pupil. His father, a printer died when George was 6, and his mother later remarried. By his own admission, Clarke was a popular but very shy child.
Both Clarke's grandfathers were builders and, after spending school holidays in and around building sites, he decided he wanted to be an architect from the age of 12:
There was nothing else I ever wanted to do. When most of the kids were playing with building blocks and pieces of Lego, I was actually on building sites.
Clarke left school at 16 and found a job with a local firm of architects, David W. Johnson. He studied for a BTEC in Building and Construction at Wearside College, Sunderland, before gaining a First Class BA Honours in Architectural Studies and a Certificate in Architectural Practice from Newcastle University, followed by a post-graduate diploma from London's Bartlett School of Architecture. Whilst he was a student, Clarke supported himself financially by renovating people's homes in his spare time.
Maps George Clarke (architect)
Career
Architecture
After graduating in 1995, Clarke trained and worked with FaulknerBrowns in Newcastle upon Tyne, before joining world famous architect Sir Terry Farrell, working in both London and Hong Kong. In 1998, with partner Bobby Desai, he formed his own company, clarke:desai - clients included Simon Fuller and Jamie Oliver.
In 2011, Clarke left clarke:desai and set up a new company George Clarke + Partners, with 25 staff. At the time Clarke commented:
I've had a fantastic time at clarke:desai and I'm proud of all the projects we have completed over the years, but, as you can imagine, my media work has taken me in a different direction and I now want to start a new company that isn't just about architecture, but also covers all aspects of the design, build and property development business.
The firm has mainly been involved in renovation and refurbishment projects but it has also designed new buildings.
Between 2001-2003, Clarke was a visiting lecturer at Newcastle University. He is currently a visiting lecturer at Nottingham University's School for the Built Environment.
Television
Clarke's television career came about by chance. He had approached a literary agent after being asked to write a book about architecture, not realising the agency also represented television presenters. He was subsequently asked to screen test for a new Channel 5 programme called Build A New Life in the Country, which had been struggling to find a suitably charismatic building professional to front the show. Clarke was offered the job, and then went on to present two more property shows for Channel 5 before being commissioned to present The Restoration Man for Channel 4.
Since 2004, he has been the main presenter for the following programmes:
Property Dreams (2004), Dream Home Abroad (2005) and Build A New Life in the Country (2005-07), all for Channel 5. The Home Show (2008--), The Restoration Man (2010 --), The Great British Property Scandal (2011), The Great British Property Scandal: Every Empty Counts (2012) and George Clarke's Amazing Spaces (2012--), all for Channel 4 and Old House New Home (also Channel 4).
Books
Clarke is also the author of several successful books, including: Home Bible (Orion), and Build a New Life: by Creating Your New Home.
Personal life
Clarke grew up with younger sisters Ava, Shirley and Sam.
Clarke lives in Notting Hill, west London and is divorced from his wife, Catriona. He has three children: Georgie, Emilio and Iona. Clarke has completely renovated his 1910 house, transforming the interior into a modern, slick home, while restoring the exterior to its original appearance.
Clarke was on the judging panel of the Affordable Home Ownership Housing Awards in 2007.
In April 2012, Clarke was appointed as an independent adviser to the government to help bring thousands of empty properties back into use for families in need of stable, secure homes.
Clarke is a patron of the Civic Trust Awards scheme. He is an ambassador for the housing and homeless charity Shelter, as well as a Building Community ambassador for the Prince's Foundation. He is also a passionate supporter of Sunderland A.F.C.
He still has family in Blackfell, Washington, and Sunderland, and visits the area at least two or three times a year.
Honours
In July 2012, Clarke carried the Olympic torch through Camden after his brother-in-law Swiggy Drummond, who was the original candidate for the honour, died of cancer.
In January 2014, Clarke became the youngest person ever to be awarded honorary membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Hon RICS). In July 2015, Clarke was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from Leeds Beckett University for his contribution to the arts. In September 2015, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Wolverhampton as a Doctor of Technology and, in December 2015, he received an honorary doctorate from Northumbria University.
References
External links
- Official Website
- George Clarke on IMDb
- George Clarke on Twitter
Source of article : Wikipedia
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