Born and educated in Glasgow, Alison developed a very keen interest in architecture from an early age. Her enthusiasm for design and the environment was encouraged and stimulated by many family trips throughout Scotland and adventures farther afield. She has travelled extensively in North America and the Caribbean Islands, Canada, the Middle East, South Africa, Russia and the Ukraine, as well as visiting many European cities.

Alison has had a passion for music since her first piano lesson at the age of five and is a longstanding member of the clarinet section and treasurer of a Glasgow based wind orchestra, with whom she is regularly involved in fund raising for community based organisations, as well as organising overseas tours for the orchestra.

Alison studied architecture at the University of Strathclyde, graduating with a BSc Hons in Architectural Studies in 1989 and a BArch in 1991.

After a period working for a large and eminent practice in Canada, with a portfolio of commercial, high-density residential and mixed used developments, Alison decided that her interests lay more in residential and community projects. Her career to date has therefore sought to further this work.

In 1989 Alison began working at Manson Associates, in their Glasgow and Greenock offices, gaining valuable experience in newbuild housing, tenement refurbishment and conservation projects. Following completion of her post graduate degree, Alison returned to Manson Associates in 1991, helping to establish their Stirling office and gaining much experience in more rural projects.

Alison joined John Gilbert Architects in 1994, becoming an Associate in 2001. In 2011 she founded Barham Glen Architects with fellow architect Paul Barham, with whom she had worked for 13 years previously. Alison was awarded RIAS Accreditation in Sustainable Building Design in January 2013.

Alison has more than 20 years’ experience as an architect, with extensive experience in the field of sustainable and innovative design, working on community and housing projects, including conservation, regeneration, newbuild and special needs projects.

With a particular interest in accessibility and the design of inclusive environments, she became a registered Access Consultant with the National Register of Access Consultants in 2005. And for many years she was a committee member of the Clyde Group for the National Association for Colitis and Crohn’s Disease (now known as Crohn’s and Colitis UK), campaigning for better awareness of the diseases.

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