Stephen founded Proctor and Matthews Architects alongside Andrew Matthews in 1988. An architect, urban designer and academic, Stephen has lectured and taught extensively throughout his career in schools of architecture across the UK and Europe.

Stephen and Andrew collaborate on the design of all projects within the studio. Together they have created a distinctive approach to design underpinned by an investigation and analysis of the physical, historical, and cultural characteristics of place. This collaborative approach provides a foundation for developing design narratives that celebrate context through contemporary architecture and urban design. Their distinctive hand drawing style has evolved over many years as a way of exploring both conceptual design narratives and the spatial compositions of placemaking and identity. The studios extensive portfolio includes a wide range of sectors; from urban mixed-use neighbourhoods to international visitor attractions and educational, cultural and community initiatives. Notable projects include:

• Greenwich Millennium Village, London - A neighbourhood of 372 innovative new homes built on the principle of the traditional London square.
• Gorilla Kingdom, London Zoo - An immersive landscape that supports London Zoo's gorilla conservation and breeding programme.
• Abode at Great Kneighton, Cambridge - A major new housing and mixed-use community of over 400 homes in the Cambridge Southern Fringe growth area.
• Steepleton, Tetbury - Accommodation for an ageing population inspired by historic Cotswolds almshouses.
• Northstowe House, Cambridge - a new south eastern base for Homes England the UK Government’s Housing agency combining local crafts and the latest off-site construction techniques.
• Riverside Sunderland - A masterplan spanning both sides of the River Wear that will reinvent the heart of the city whilst drawing on its industrial heritage.

Stephen is currently a Visiting Professor at the University of Sheffield and an Honorary Professor at the University of Dundee. He has previously taught at the Universities of Brighton, Kent and Cardiff. He is a member of Design South East and Architecture and Design Scotland (A+DS) and is also a contributor to Design Review Panels in Essex, Dunsfold Park, Folkestone and Hythe. Stephen is also an Academician at the Academy of Urbanism, an elected member of the Art Workers Guild and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

The practice’s work has been widely published in the UK and internationally and Stephen is a frequent contributor to architectural books and guides. In 2009 the practice published ‘Pattern Place Purpose’ a retrospective of the studios work exploring a concern for cultural identity and historical context. The studio continues to publish annual journals exploring diverse themes such as ‘memory’, ‘identity’, and ‘community’.

Stephen studied architecture under David Gosling and Michael Wilford at the University of Sheffield and subsequently worked alongside Gosling and Gordon Cullen at the London Docklands Development Corporation, Nicholas Lacy Jobst and Hyett and James Stirling Michael Wilford and Partners before forming his design studio.