AJ 40 under 40: Astrid Smitham 16 December 2020 By Fran Williams, illustration by Simon Hayes The AJ 40 under 40 architect is co-founder of east London practice APPARATA, whose House of Artists co-housing block has involved Grayson Perry ‘Experimental structures and collaborations with artists remain important for us to develop ideas for architectural projects,’ says APPARATA of its approach. This can be seen in its most significant project to date, A House for Artists, a new co-housing block in Barking with an unusual angular form. It is due for completion in 2021 and is being championed by artist Grayson Perry. Astrid Smitham co-founded the small east London-based practice in 2015, after collaborating with partner Nicholas Lobo Brennan on several projects, including a pop-up wooden auditorium in the atrium of Central Saint Martins with artist Richard Wentworth.