View from my office: Rob Kay

What can you see?

I have an inspiring view down Colmore Row which is regarded as the core of the central business district in Birmingham. We are based at the end of Colmore Row in the new Colmore Plaza development which is to be the heart of the new business district currently under construction.

The location and view is extra special for me as I had the privilege of working on the plaza development and watching the city transform around it gives you a sense of pride in what you have helped create.

There are a real mix of people and professions who walk past the windows travelling to the local building sites, offices, courts, children’s hospital and police headquarters. It is a really vibrant and bustling part of the city.

My wife also works in an office building opposite ours, and I sometimes get that strange feeling that I am being watched… being the task master that she is, she is probably making sure that I am not getting distracted!

How far up are you?

I am on the third floor of the fourteen storey building.

What’s on your desk?

A picture of my son Joe, the Birmingham City fixture list, the trusty Blackberry and the latest design proposals, programme and planning documents for my main project at Uppingham School. Don’t ask which is the most inspirationl!

What are you working on?

Various schemes, but my main focus at the moment is the development of a new Western Quad at Uppingham School in Rutland. The first phase of this scheme is the construction of a new sports centre which is due to go to planning in the next couple of months.

What’s your all-time favourite view?

This would have to be on the top of Latrigg fell in the Lake District. My wife and I walked up the fell with my son on my back on New Years Day a couple of years ago. It was early evening and there was a beautiful low winter sun, which caused rays of light to shine through the clouds making Derwent water and Keswick look fantastic. It was a really great way to start a new year with my young family.