Pictured above: Architect Geoff Carter at work in his new office, where he studied art as a pupil of Long Eaton Grammar School and was inspired to take up architecture

A multi-award winning architectural practice has been re-launched - in the old schoolroom where the principal was inspired to take up the subject!

Geoff Carter Architects has moved to the Picasso suite in what was the old art room of the former Long Eaton Grammar School on Tamworth Road, now refurbished as the Mohan Business Centre.

After leaving school in 1969 Geoff went onto study at Sheffield University where he gained a BA Hons degree and a diploma in architecture.

In 1975 he started working with the Architects Design Group at Lockington Hall and in 1981 formed Cullen Carter and Hill with Peter Hall, who moved on in 1988 and Bob Cullen, who retired in 2000.

The firm, which has won 28 awards, was based in Nottingham's Lace Market until this summer. Although Geoff was the sole owner the firm kept its original name for continuity - until now.

As his office lease was due to expire a friend mentioned to Geoff that his firm had moved into the old school building. Geoff realised that by moving from a city centre location and having free parking he would make considerable savings.

"I had no intention of moving," he said, "but this was a one-off opportunity. "I was at first looking at my old fifth form classroom, then I found that the old art room was free. 

"This was the room where I studied art in the sixth form under the guidance of teacher Charles Forster. He also taught us the history of architecture and inspired my interest."

That interest led to Geoff's work specialising in social housing. His practice has worked for all the major housing  associations in the East Midlands - designing anything from a wheelchair-access bungalow to developments of 100 homes to accommodation for homeless people.

Building has just been completed on three hostels designed by the practice for the Salvation Army in the South with a total value of more than £12m.

It is also working on upgrading the museum based at the birthplace of the Army's founder, William Booth, in Sneinton, Nottingham, and refurbishing the William Booth Memorial Halls in the city centre.

It has been involved in refurbishing the London Road night shelter in Nottingham for Framework Housing Association and two schemes in Sutton-in-Ashfield and Mansfield to provide 32 flats for mainly homeless people, complete with training area and recreation facilities, to be completed in March.

The team has worked with Derby-based Derwent Living and hopes that the move into Derbyshire will bring more work from that area.

Geoff reckons he has worked with more than 20 housing associations on schemes that have provided for more than 10,000 bed spaces.

He and his team of five are a Royal Institute of British Architects chartered practice - one of only three in Erewash.

"I have always been grateful to Mr Forster for putting me on this path," said Geoff. Now he wants to acquire a piece of his late teacher's art work for his new office to dedicate to him.