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When a young Robert Bedner strolled past the homes of Wall Street hedge fund managers in Greenwich Connecticut he was well aware of a developing passion for design and the physical environment. However, it is fair to say that he probably didn’t realise just how far that passion would take him!

Some years later, whilst studying architecture at Washington University in St Louis, one book ignited that passion a set him of on an epic voyage of discovery that culminated in his settling down in Plymouth, a city that has seen its fair share of discovery.

Robert picked up a copy of Sverre Fehn’s “The Thought of Construction.” Relatively unknown outside of Norway at that time, the book struck a chord – “Fehn's architecture proved to be a confirmation of my own beliefs in what architecture could be including the language and vocabulary in which it could be discussed. “The more I read about, the more I wanted to know about the reality of these places – was the experience of these places as inspiring as the photos and text made them out to be?” In true get-up-and-go American style Robert turned a dream into a reality.

He took a job on a tanker that was heading to Antwerp, just a short train ride away from Prof. Fehns office in Norway’s capital Oslo. “I had read about Architects like Jorn Utzon who had worked their way aboard ships to the States to work for great Architects like Frank Lloyd Wright. It was hard work but as well as being paid, it gave me a real sense of the distance, and the time that separates Europe from the States.”

After two months, 8000 miles and hundreds of hours of labour later Robert knocked on his inspiration’s door. “Yes. He was a little surprised that a 23 year old American, fresh out of University had decided to doorstep him on the back of reading a book!” explained Robert.

However, Robert’s bold approach worked. “I kept sketches and a journal of my trip and had a small portfolio of projects from University, I left all this with Fehns office.”

After a couple of days, the phone rang and he was offered a job. ”I worked for Prof. Fehn on a one to one basis on an exhibition of the Chinese Terra Cotta soldiers for the National Museum as well as an extension for one of his well-known houses.

“Fehn taught me a great deal, about the way to approach architecture, always encouraging, always from the positive. It was an approach that embraced life against a backdrop of nature and culture. He would never talk about windows or doors for instance only of openings in a wall, or the construction, or the light that went through it.” Years later, Fehns work was recognized internationally when he was awarded the Priztker Prize in Bilbao Spain – architecture’s highest award.

After working in London and attending classes at the Architectural Association, he headed south to Paris and picked up a job with Italian Renzo Piano at his Paris office The Building Workshop (another Pritzker prize winning practice) Piano together with Architect Richard Rogers and Structural Engineer Peter Rice had received critical acclaim for their design of the Pompidou Centre in Paris and other projects around the world. “During my time with the Building Workshop, I assisted the workshop on a billion pound masterplan for the twin towns of Sistianna and Finnespol located in the north of Italty. The design incorporated the world’s largest tent structure over a coastal development and in doing so created a warm micro-climate for the beach.”

In his thirst for further knowledge and experience he eventually felt the pull of New York and remained in the Big Apple for 10 years where he settled down with his wife and his daughter was born.

A walk across Central Park from their apartment in midtown Manhattan , Robert worked for Architect Philip Koether in a two-man office, on the design of custom apartments on Park Avenue and Central Park West. In addition, the office won an invited competition to develop a flagship jewellery store in one of the last available development sites in the heart of Soho .

In complete contrast to his other influences and mentors was the artist Vito Acconci in whose Brooklyn studio Robert worked developing the design for a public art installation. Robert says he took little architecturally from Acconcis studio but learnt the importance of a small highly focused studio environment.

New York remained home for 10 years but Robert and his family were growing tried of life in the city that never sleeps. Recalling his time in the UK , Robert searched the internet for something different and was immediately struck by the beauty and affordability of the Devon and Cornwal coast. “At the time most places in the area didn’t have a Starbucks on every corner. We were drawn there by its independent spirit and miles of stunning coastline – it seemed like a bit of a blank canvas,” explained Robert.

The Bedner family settled in the Stoke area of Plymouth with Robert working as a consultant at a Totnes architects practice and Sally his wife at PCAD where she took her PGCE and now lectures in art theory. “We were blown away by the place – Plymouth ’s unique combination of natural coastline, parks like Dartmoor and Mount Edgcumbe , the culture and history. It is a great time for the city; The Mackay Vision is something that has put the physical environment at the top of the agenda as the city seeks to become significant European destination. It is something I totally agree with and hope that I can contribute to.

Inspired by Plymouth’s increasing momentum, Robert recently decided to start his own practice – Research + Design based at the Formation Zone in The University of Plymouth’s Roland Levinsky building, “a perfect place, great architecture, working alongside other creative companies and near to PCAD,” said Robert.

His new business takes its name from Research + Design’s design process. “After working here and abroad, I came to recognise that more time needs to be spent on the research side of things. The idea of R+D was to invest time in this stage of things through in-depth analysis and ongoing client dialogues. These discussions usually concern a broad range of issues including the context of the site, the making of a place, the project’s connection to the landscape, materials, appropriateness of the size and scale of the project, how the project ages and green issues. What sets R+D apart from many architectural and design practices is that the elevations ‘the look of the building’ come last – as they are the result of this comprehensive process,” he explained.

At the moment Research + Design is involved in a range of projects including a residential project on the Barbican, a large commercial refurbishment of a resort clubhouse outside of Polperro, a contemporary conversion and alterations to a Cornish farmhouse complete with Yoga Studio and contemporary alterations to a period property in Plymouth. Many of the projects have bespoke joinery and built in furniture and finishes.

So where does Robert want to take the practice? “We are currently looking at developing R+D in two directions. The first is towards so-called high quality ‘high end residential design’. This is a natural development from past professional experiences with highly crafted apartment and home interiors in New York City and London . We have developed a good sense of design through experience with this type of project as well as built up a very good rapport with some of the local and highly skilled trades and crafts people. There’s a range of work in this sector we would like to get involved in – from well considered and detailed designs for small residential extensions to new build contemporary houses for coastal properties in Devon and Cornwall - We are ideally situated for this type work.

“The second is we would like to develop R+D as a small hub of social and architectural activity in Plymouth where friends, clients and the local creative community are encouraged to stop by, say hello, and discuss projects and ideas. In particular, we are interested in projects relating to ideas about place and about landscape,” concluded Robert.