Sebastian has lived in Central Edinburgh since 1976 and has worked in the fields of housing renewal, and the promotion of good design, architecture and planning for over 30 years. In 1991 he was a founding member of the Scottish Ecological Design Association - long before the environment and climate change became popular political topics; and in 1995 he was a founder of the Association for Project Safety, now a thriving UK body promoting safety in construction. He served on the 1997 Lord Provost's Commission on Sustainable Development, from which many innovative initiatives in the City have flowed; and was on the 2007 Sullivan Committee which made recommendations to the Scottish Government on the future changes to the Building Standards to achieve low carbon buildings. He is a well known figure in the architectural and planning scene in Scotland, holding responsible roles in the architectural profession - being regularly consulted by the media for comment during the building of the Scottish Parliament, and being appointed to set up the Scottish Government's body to champion excellence in design and urban planning, Architecture and Design Scotland, in 2005. Sebastian is committed to improving the quality of life for all - and believes that the problem-solving processes of design can be harnessed creatively for the common good. With his homeopath wife Eva he has helped to raise six children in the City, and has served on his local Community Council. For recreation, he sings tenor in a respected Edinburgh choir, Cadenza, enjoys his guitar and writing songs, designs cartograms, and has been known to cycle backwards for long distances as a fund-raising ploy - the longest being the 58 miles along the canal tow paths from Edinburgh to Glasgow. He aims to live what he believes in, cycling almost everywhere, retaining his zest for life and optimism for the future of the planet, and faith in the positive potential for humankind to make a collective creative contribution to achieve that.

Bryanston School, Dorset; Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
B Arch, Dip Arch

Architect with early experience in private practice, then with a housing association and the Housing Corporation and Edinburgh District Council; Director of Practice and then from 1995 to 2005 Chief Executive of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland; former Chief Executive of Architecture and Design Scotland.

Served on Merchiston Community Council

Edinburgh North and Leith, 1999, 2001 and 2003

RIBA FRIAS MCIArb