Anna Drost

Part 2 Architectural Designer recently completed an MArch in Sustainable Architecture at the Centre for Alternative Technology, with a research focus on public space, behaviour change, and inclusive design. Over a decade of professional experience delivering social impact projects across the UK, Kenya, and Indonesia, with a strong foundation in community development, sustainable construction, and participatory design. A passionate advocate for equitable placemaking, with a proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, build meaningful stakeholder relationships, and manage complex projects from concept through to delivery.

Driven by a belief in architecture as a tool for public good and committed to shaping resilient, inclusive, and environmentally responsible places.

Chair of Trustees - The Victor Batte-Lay Foundation - The Minories, Colchester

(2025-11)

The Foundation owns The Minories, a Grade II* listed art gallery and heritage building. (Previously Trustee, We Are The Minories, Mar 2022 – Nov 2025.)

• Chair board meetings and provide strategic leadership; leading on the development of a National Lottery funding bid focused on accessibility and sustainability.
• Building a People's Assembly model to run community consultation on the building's future; produce impact reports for funders and the board and coordinate communications to support funding campaigns.

Freelance Project Manager & Strategist - Self-employed

(2023-09)

Strategy, funding and delivery support for startups and social enterprises across sustainability, social impact and community development.

• Manage projects from concept to delivery; work spans strategic planning, partnerships, fundraising and impact reporting.
• Copywriting, pitch and funding-strategy support for founders: developed the pitch deck and funding strategy with tech start-up Per Are for their $350k venture-capital raise, and worked in partnership with the founders of social enterprise Bumi Solah to develop their business concept and strategy.

Project Officer - Groundwork East - Essex

(2021-06 - 2023-08)

• Climate Clubs Programme – 9 primary schools, 172 students, Essex: Designed, delivered and managed an environmental education pilot across nine schools; facilitated student-led consultations on climate action plans, collected mixed-methods impact data, and authored the successful funding proposal to extend the programme.
• Ran design-and-make sessions in which pupils modelled their ideal future cities from recycled materials, applying what they had learned across the programme; also delivered growing and cooking sessions with children.
• Outdoor Growing & Wellbeing Programme – 24 students aged 13–15, Norfolk: Designed and delivered a pilot wellbeing programme for students experiencing anxiety, following safeguarding and GDPR procedures throughout; 80% of participants showed measurable improvement in attention and social confidence.

Project Manager & Co-Founder - Dome Project Lombok (Curly & Dutch) - Indonesia

(2018-03 - 2021-08)

Design and construction of a sustainable eco-resort – earth-bag domes and permaculture gardens.

• Managed an international team on-site and remotely across Europe; oversaw budgets up to £900k across the full project lifecycle, including legal, HR and sustainability compliance.
• Led consultation with the local village throughout, ensuring the project benefited the community and drew on local knowledge and craft.

Project Manager & Co-Founder - Domes for Lombok (NGO) - Indonesia

(2018-08 - 2019-03)

Disaster-response NGO established after the 2018 Lombok earthquakes, run alongside the eco-resort build.

• Earned the trust of local government agencies to become one of the first foreign teams cleared to work in relief efforts, and chaired a coalition of five organisations to rebuild homes together.
• Consulted directly with affected families before designing shelter, raised £35k in emergency funding, and designed and taught a two-week international building workshop for visiting architects.

Construction Site & Volunteer Manager - Pavilions for Okana - Kenya

(2017-10 - 2018-03)

Build of a community centre serving a community of 300 people, still in use today.

• Managed a team of 40 labourers and 10 international volunteers; championed gender equity by hiring and mentoring female builders onto a male-dominated site.
• Ran on-site consultation as the build progressed - community input reshaped the kitchen and café design and the equipment specification before purchase.

Expedition Project Manager & Youth Mentor - Raleigh International

(2016-01 - 2016-04)

• Led a team of young volunteers through a three-month overseas expedition - responsible for their safety, wellbeing and personal development - and mentored individually on Global Development Goals.

Fundraising Officer - East Anglian Air Ambulance

(2016-04 - 2017-11)

• Designed and delivered the fundraising strategy for an income of £600k per annum; project-managed events and rebuilt relationships with volunteers and the local community.

Events Fundraising Officer - Livability

(2014-01 - 2016-01)

• Developed events fundraising generating £100k+ per annum; doubled attendance at the annual Carol Service and organised events attended by HRH Princess Anne, commended at Buckingham Palace.

M.Arch - Sustainable Architecture - Centre for Alternative Technology (2023-09 - 2025-07)

BA - Interior Architecture & Spatial Design - De Montfort University (2009 - 2012)