Dean Ireland
Associate Lecturer in Architecture

Dean is a chartered architect (ARB), educator and researcher from Newcastle upon Tyne. A graduate of Northumbria University with both BA(Hons) and MArch degrees in Architecture, his career has been shaped by a sustained commitment to integrating education with professional practice.

After eight years working across multiple sectors within the construction industry, Dean established 19Architects - an independent practice founded on the principle that thoughtful, context-sensitive design, rather than large budgets, is what transforms space. His work centres on carefully considered, client-specific solutions that enhance everyday life.

Dean recently completed a practice-based PhD in Architecture in collaboration with a real-world partner, addressing the housing crisis through the development of innovative models for both youth housing and support. This work reflects his longstanding commitment to social equity and is grounded in his deep-rooted connection to the North East.

His career to date is characterised by an ability to synthesise practice, teaching and research, each informing the other to form a holistic and socially engaged architectural approach. Dean has established a foundation he hopes will contribute to the discipline of architecture and support meaningful, community-led change through design.

In his academic role at the University of York, Dean is committed to fostering a dynamic learning environment that bridges architectural research and practice. Through teaching, he seeks to prepare the next generation of architects and researchers to engage critically and creatively with the social and spatial challenges shaping the built environment.