Jean-François // INNOVATOR
Founder, Jflemay Architecture & Design
Jf is one of our inimitable innovators. A Montrealer by birth, Jean-François studied architecture at McGill University, completing a semester abroad at the École d’architecture de Paris-Belleville, and sparking his love for Europe. He worked at Moshe Safdie and Associates in Boston before returning to London to do his master’s at the Architectural Association on a scholarship. He then joined the office of Sir Norman Foster where he worked on the Stirling prize-winning Bloomberg headquarters in London and the Oceanwide Center towers in San Francisco. After nine years at Foster and Partners and becoming a chartered architect, he felt ready for a change and decided it was time to start his own architecture and design studio in 2019.
Starting your own business not only takes guts, but also a lot of resources and time. When Jean-François set up his business, Jflemay Architecture and Design, he became a LOWE Guardian to save on accommodation and invest fully in his business. Becoming a guardian came with unexpected advantages, such as being part of a refreshing community of like-minded people who do equally interesting but different things. Jflemay creates simple, screwless flat-pack furniture, which is durable, practical, and sustainable. There are also ongoing projects for a house in Canada, residential renovation in London and a collaboration with an artist exhibiting at the Barbican Centre in 2022.
As an Ambassador, Jf will build on this network to meet like-minded people who are innovating in their areas, as well as fellow architects and makers. For his LOWE Ambassador discount, he has taken a desk at our LOWE Works space, which is now the anchor for his business, and he often collaborates and consults with other members on projects, including creating the LOWE Works sign for the office.
Our other ambassadors