Above: Completed design for Thaajuddeen Primary School: featured in the 25th ‘Anniversary of Independence’ commemorative calendar for the Republic of Maldives: 1990.

Ian Banks qualified as a chartered architect in 1989, but whilst still retaining his full riba and arb status, has since moved away from mainstream architecture whilst adding an eclectic range of other skills, interests and experiences to Atoll. This began with 4 years practicing his architecture in the Maldive Islands as first the Maldives Government Head Architect for the Ministry of Education; followed by a period as Company Architect for tourist island development company Jetan Travel Service.

His work in the UK has included acting as a Manchester-based community architect and working for several commercial practices - including one interior design company. For three years up until 2000 he was the 'Special Projects' Associate at Pozzoni Design Group - a large south Manchester commercial practice - before deciding to leave and develop his parallel interests in the collaborative field of art and architecture.

To enable this, between 2000 and 2004 he acted as the part-time Public Art & Architecture Officer for Arts Council England NW whilst developing his new practice part-time also. From 2005 he has operated his collaborative studio full-time - to include an additional tier of arts and regeneration practice and cultural planning consultancy.

As well as working for a range of private and public sector clients, Ian Banks is also the part-time Consultant Director of Public Ream at beam in Wakefield - part of the UK the Architecture Centre Network; and is the current Deputy Editor for Art & Architecture Journal.