Transforming Architectural Practice Workplaces
Work Psychology Consultancy
We partner with practices to co-design resilient, adaptive & thriving workplaces,
ready to navigate architecture's future ways of working
The November 2024 RIBA Workplace Wellbeing Practice Note provides guidance on improving staff welfare in architectural practices, emphasising fair pay, reasonable working hours, and mental health. It highlights the importance of compliance with the Real Living Wage, ethical practices, and equitable work conditions. The document also addresses concerns concerning gender and ethnicity pay gaps and overtime policies.
Our consultancy partners with you to address these challenges by offering systems-psychodynamic consulting for cultural shifts, Myers-Briggs insights for team dynamics, Action Learning for collaborative problem-solving, and coaching to foster leadership aligned with wellbeing principles.
We are a London Fields & Victoria based consultancy and coaching practice, and among our five-strong team, John has worked for architectural firms such as Pringle Brandon and The Chadwick Group. He has also worked in Banking construction projects, commissioning Architects both in the UK and abroad.
Our consulting practice combines deep expertise and proven methodologies to address the unique challenges facing architectural practices.
Our suite of consultancy tools empowers teams, leaders, and organisations to thrive in today’s dynamic environment, where wellbeing, sustainability, and innovation are paramount; here are five key areas of consultancy for architecture in 2025:
1. Organisational System Consulting
This approach delves into the hidden dynamics within an architectural practice, such as unconscious biases, power structures, and emotional undercurrents. By addressing these deeper layers, teams can:
- Resolve interpersonal or interteam conflicts that may slow projects
- Build trust and transparency across hierarchical levels
- Reduce burnout by addressing systemic stressors like overtime culture and unclear roles
Outcomes: Encourages open communication between creative and operational teams, fostering smoother collaboration in multidisciplinary environments. Reflective practice can also optimise working relationships between practices, helping them collaborate effectively on projects.
2. Action Learning Sets
Action Learning Sets provide a safe, structured space for addressing live challenges. Participants present real workplace issues, explore solutions collaboratively, and reflect on outcomes. This iterative process promotes accountability, creative thinking, and team cohesion.
Outcomes: Ideal for tackling ESG/sustainability design challenges, integrating AI tools, or refining processes for hybrid team management, ensuring real-time learning and application.
3. Myers-Briggs (Levels 1 & 2)
MBTI workshops uncover personality-driven communication and decision-making styles. Level 2 delves deeper into the nuances of type preferences, offering insights into managing stress and conflict while enhancing collaboration.
Outcomes: Bridges the gap between design-focused roles and business operations, enabling better alignment on projects requiring cross-functional input.
4. Hidden Leadership Analysis
Leadership often exists beyond formal titles. This tool identifies leadership styles which may be influencing team dynamics informally. By analysing leadership styles, practices can create a leadership pipeline aligned with organisational goals, and assist with matrix style organisational hierarcharchy shifts.
Outcomes: Helps uncover leadership to foster innovation, sustainability initiatives, and lead change management, ensuring leadership readiness for AI and ESG shifts.
5. Advanced Coaching Approaches
Our coaching combines evidence-based techniques with empathy and depth to address personal and team growth. Leaders gain tools to navigate ambiguity, foster creativity, and support wellbeing. Teams benefit from improved clarity, motivation, and productivity.
Outcomes: Ensures team members stay engaged during high-pressure periods and equips leaders to manage evolving project demands while prioritising staff wellbeing, and ability to navigate complexity with agility.
Why Choose Condon Consulting?
We understand the complexities of architectural practice, blending expertise in leadership, team development, and workplace wellbeing with actionable strategies. Our goal is to help your practice:
- Align team dynamics with sustainability and ESG goals.
- Build resilience in the face of technological and market shifts.
- Foster a culture where creativity and collaboration flourish.
Let’s co-design the future of architectural practice wellbeing together
Client Quote:
"Collaborating with condon consulting was an invaluable experience for our design studio. He brought a deep understanding of the creative process and helped us address challenges that were holding us back, both as individuals and as a team. His thoughtful and personable approach created a space where we could openly explore new ways of working, improving not just our efficiency but our sense of purpose. Thanks to John, we’ve rediscovered the joy in our collaboration and are more united in pursuing our creative vision"
Brian Jennings, MRIAI MIDI — Principal at JDS Architects
Hello I'm John, and I am here to help you develop:- Greater change readiness and Sustainable Ai adaptability across teams and individuals- A strengthened ability to reflect, and be informed by personality-driven approaches to risk tolerance, creativity, and communication- A forward-thinking organisational culture that balances human strengths, and ways-of-working awareness, with the strategic deployment of AI technology, underpinned by strong ESG values
Learn more about:
Soar with Industry-Leading Experience and Capabilities
If you’re looking for high standards in coaching and development, and change leadership, our services are second to none. I have worked in several architectural practices in London, and I hold an MA from the Tavistock Clinic in Leading and Consulting and am an accredited Tavistock Advanced Coach, adhering to the Association for Coaching standards of CPD and supervision.
If you wish to support your goals with insightful personality assessments, we offer certified Myers-Briggs consultation for steps I and II. My expertise also extends to being an accredited Action Learning Facilitator and Hidden Leadership Assessor, ensuring that every session is rich with skill and experience, whether in one-on-one or group settings.
We have successfully collaborated with organisations in both private and public sectors, including Global Asset Management, Northern Trust Corp., The London Clinic, Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospital. Our passion is seeing clients and their organisations reach new heights. With my, and my team's comprehensive approach, we’re here to help you achieve your goals. As ESG external assessor for The Royal Households, I bring a wealth of context to my role, which extends to Ai Governance and Board Dynamics consultancy.
My consultancy stance and style is tailored to meet your needs—exploratory yet goal-focused, empathic yet challenging. I, and my team, integrate psychological insights within a business context to help you find effective solutions to your challenges.
Get in touch today, and let’s start your journey to soar.
My values
I learned a lot about architecture's relation to technology and its implementation from my own career in architecture. Working in Pringle Brandon, I saw the effect of CAD and 3D Studio at the practice. I worked for The Chadwick Group in Paris, implementing a concept called 'the space you need, for the time you need it' - this has a snappier title nowadays...
As an Industrial Design student I went to Berlin from Dublin on the Erasmus program. I embraced efficiency and environmental stewardship as part of my time there; these are core personal values of mine. I went on to lead Ergonom's design team.
At Northern Trust, from working on fit-out and new build projects, I managed global ESG sustainability reporting and led EMEA ESG initiatives, employee engagement, and diversity. I was also active in the bank's LGBTQIA+ network. I explore psychological safety and its connection to purpose and potential. Without this grounding, it's impossible to soar; as a consultant and psychotherapist, I undertake supervision to address and resolve challenges.
I help embed ESG purpose and values and audit ESG governance and innovation for HM The King's Royal Warrant Holders, a group of 800 companies.
Volunteering is important to me. I've been a trustee for Hackney City Farm, The Corporation of London's Environmental Committee, CoMoUK, and have served as Chair of School Governors - read more about our peer-reviewed research into changing values during lockdown in our Blog section.
I'm a keen cyclist and freshwater swimmer and take part in the Swimathon every year, to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.
I'm working towards my pilot's licence - you can see why soaring beyond what you thought possible, and achieving everything that's within you, along with your teams' potential, is the currency I most bring to my coaching and consultancy approach and stance.
