Educated at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, Torquil has spent more than three decades shaping internationally recognised retail, hospitality and mixed-use destinations. Since 2012, he has played a defining role in the evolution of SKP, developing the brand’s architectural identity and design language across Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Wuhan and future developments. He also led the creation of SKP-S – the pioneering experimental sister brand – in-turn helping to establish a new model for experience-led retail.

Torquil approaches every project as a cultural proposition rather than simply a commercial one. Drawing on influences from architecture, art, film and music, he creates places with a strong sense of identity – environments that feel rooted in their context while remaining ambitious in their vision.

Beyond practice, Torquil continues to explore architecture through conceptual projects and critical thinking. Proposals such as Hammersmith Bridge and Cosmic reflect his belief that design should challenge convention, provoke debate and reveal new possibilities for the cities we inhabit. His travels, sketches and observations on architecture, art and food provide an ongoing commentary on design and culture, driven by a desire to challenge assumptions and frame new ways of looking.