Tom Coward studied architecture at the University of Nottingham and the Royal College of Art where he received the Alsop Architecture Prize for his thesis design project. His dissertation was a study of South Bank Urbanism. He worked with Nicholas Grimshaw and Partners, Rick Mather Architects and Urban Salon before founding AOC in September 2003.

Tom has a wide range of architectural expertise and has particular experience working closely with complex organizations and public institutions to deliver tailor-made design proposals. He has worked on brand development and store design for Marks and Spencer, the Fundación Caixa Galicia in A Coruña, and the Dulwich Picture Gallery. He lives in Southwark and has led the AOC team on a number of projects, including the Galleywall Triangle master design and two winning Elephant and Castle Early Housing projects.

Tom has lectured at leading schools of architecture in the UK and currently teaches architectural design at London Metropolitan University. He has previously been a unit tutor at the Architectural Association and a visiting critic at the Royal College of Art. Tom is a registered architect.