As a project director of Squint/Opera, the creative studio, Ben Townshend has worked with a variety of attractions around the world, including the creation of immersive content for the new Oman Across Ages museum and developing immersive installations for Hong Kong’s iconic Peak Tramway. He also worked on the Battersea Power Station Chimney Lift in the UK. His background in architecture is evident in every project he leads, as is his deep understanding of space, design, and structure.
Townsend has been with Squint/Opera since January 2011. He initially worked as head of exhibitions, before moving into his current role in January 2020. As project director, he oversees creative, strategic and technical aspects of major exhibition and multimedia projects, connecting the dots between Squint/Opera’s team and its clients’ design teams He holds a degree in Architecture from the Edinburgh College of Art.
One nominator called Townshend a genuinely inspiring individual, adding: “Ben Townsend is a guiding light creatively and as a teammate. As a project director at Squint/Opera, Ben wears many hats; he’s an inspiring mentor and a visionary leader. Working alongside him has been a learning experience for me and many others at Squint/Opera. His uncanny ability to bridge the divide between our clients’ dreams and our team’s talents is stellar.
“What impresses me most is Ben’s nuanced approach to the human aspect of our projects. He grasps that a well-designed experience, or customer journey is a stage for human emotion and interaction. His keen eye for detail ensures that every interactive feature or multimedia element we create evokes a genuine response from its audience.
“His skills extend beyond architecture and human-centred design. Beyond his professional brilliance, Ben fosters a culture of open communication and collaboration. His leadership style makes each one of us feel like an essential part of a collective mission!”