We were very sad to hear the news of the death of Joe Holyoak, a true stalwart of architecture, urban design and placemaking in Birmingham and the wider Midlands.
Joe was one of those people whose influence reached far beyond the projects he worked on. Through MADE and subsequently Design:Midlands, he brought intelligence, independence and a deep commitment to good design to countless discussions about the future of our towns and cities.
As a lecturer at Birmingham School of Architecture he established an Urban Design Masters Degree in the 1990s and encouraged a multi-disciplinary and highly creative approach. Artists were particularly encouraged to apply and he enabled a generation of artists to work in urban regeneration and town planning.
He was a passionate advocate for the ordinary, overlooked and historic parts of Birmingham and the wider region – believing that good places are sustained through sensitive evolution and an understanding of their character, their communities and their history. His commitment to creative practice, conservation, regeneration and community participation was unwavering.
Joe was also a generous and stimulating colleague: curious, forthright, occasionally mischievous, and never afraid to challenge conventional thinking. He leaves a considerable legacy in the people he influenced, the places he fought for, and the ideas he helped shape.
Working right to the end, and despite his illness, he was due to give a talk at a conference this week. A great loss to Birmingham, the Midlands and to everyone who cares about making better places.
All at Design Midlands send their condolences to Joe’s family, friends and colleagues. He will be greatly missed. 16 September 2026