Ade Fowler at Land’s End after completing his self-supported run from John O’Groats to Land’s End in 2023, setting a Guinness World Record.
Ade Fowler completed his architectural education with his Diploma in 1998 at The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL, studying in Unit 21 under the renowned tutors Christine Hawley and CJ Lim. He graduated in 2000 and went on to develop his career working with some of the most influential architectural practices of the time.
Early in his professional career Ade joined Future Systems, the Stirling Prize–winning practice led by Jan Kaplický and Amanda Levete. During this period he contributed to several high-profile international projects including the Selfridges department store in Birmingham and Marni retail stores in Tokyo and London’s Sloane Street.
He subsequently worked at Conran & Partners, founded by Sir Terence Conran, before joining the studio of the late Will Alsop OBE, another Stirling Prize–winning architect whom Ade regarded as an important mentor in his architectural development.
At Alsop’s practice Ade became one of the youngest architects involved in the “Joined-Up Design for Schools” programme and later worked on Building Schools for the Future, developing proposals for new business academies. He concluded his time at the practice as Project Architect for the ‘Hill’ component of the Fourth Grace project in Liverpool, an internationally recognised architectural competition won ahead of architects including Norman Foster, Richard Rogers and Frank Gehry.
During this period Ade also lectured at universities across the UK, presenting the work and philosophy of Alsop’s practice.
Following a period of financial restructuring at Alsop’s office, Ade established Fowler Architects, briefly working for Philippe Starck’s London-based development practice YOO during the 2008 recession. He subsequently returned to developing his own portfolio of residential and conservation projects and in 2016 rebranded the studio as Islington Architects Ltd, focusing on listed buildings, planning expertise and contemporary interventions within historic structures.
Endurance and Architecture
In September 2023, Ade completed an extraordinary challenge: running from John O’Groats to Land’s End entirely self-supported. Carrying all his equipment, including a tent, he camped roadside, navigated the length of Britain alone and relied on natural water sources along the route.
His remarkable effort earned him a Guinness World Record for the fastest male to run from John O’Groats to Land’s End on foot.
During the run Ade raised £5,000 for Breast Cancer Now and Refuge, charities close to his heart. His motivation came from his mother, Sue, a hairdresser from Brockenhurst, who passed away from breast cancer at the age of 42 while Ade was sitting his exams at 18.
That experience shaped Ade’s determination. Following the loss of his mother, it had been only the two of them and the family home was subsequently forced into sale.
Leaving school with two E grades at A-level, he was offered a place by Bob Sutton at Birmingham UCE, the only university to give him the opportunity to study architecture. While continuing his architectural studies, Ade supported himself by working during university vacations at the architectural practice Sheppard Robson in Parkway, Camden, living during these periods at the Warren Street YMCA while completing his degree.
From that starting point he went on to train and work with some of the world’s leading architects.
This same determination, endurance and creative thinking continues to inform Ade’s architectural work today.
Each Christmas Day, Ade hires a van and personally delivers sleeping bags, clothing and basic supplies to people experiencing homelessness in London, reflecting his own experience at the age of 18.
https://fastestknowntime.com/fkt/ade-fowler-jogle-lejog-uk-2023-10-14
Professional Credentials
Adrian Fowler BA (Hons) Dip Arch ARB RIBA
ARB Registered Architect — 065549J
RIBA Chartered Member — 8907316
RIBA Certified Principal Designer (Domestic)
Association for Project Safety (APS) Member — 018510
Will Alsop OBE RA (Alsop Architects)
