University News Last updated 23 July
An Architecture graduate has been named as BCU鈥檚 Alumnus of the Year following on from a milestone in his career where he designed the UK鈥檚 tallest, fastest and most weightless rollercoaster.听听
John Burton graduated from BCU with a Bachelor of Architecture in 2013, before completing his Master of Architecture in 2016. Nowadays, he is the Senior Creative Lead at Merlin Entertainments.听听
贬别鈥檚 often referred to as the Rollercoaster King, and in 2024, he was behind the creation of Thorpe Park鈥檚 biggest ever project, 鈥�Hyperia鈥�.听听
John has also been the lead creative for 鈥楾he World of Juamanji鈥� land at Chessington World of Adventures. His other successful projects include 鈥楾he Walking Dead: The Ride鈥� and 鈥楧erren Brown鈥檚 Ghost Train: Rise of the Demon鈥� at Thorpe Park, 鈥榋og 鈥� Quest for The Golden Star鈥� and 鈥楧ragon Slayer鈥� at Warwick Castle, and 鈥楾he Curse of Alton Manor鈥� and 鈥�Gangsta Granny The Ride鈥� at Alton Towers.听听
But John 飞补蝉苍鈥檛 always into thrill-seeking rides, and his love of the iconic computer game 鈥楻ollercoaster Tycoon鈥� was what led John to become who he is today.听听
He said: 鈥淕rowing up, I was terrified of rollercoasters and theme parks. I was really lucky to be taken to places like Walt Disney World by my parents, but I would always be the kid crying and refusing to go on the rides. But something shifted in me when I started playing Rollercoaster Tycoon, which I picked up on a family trip to America.听听
鈥淚 was obsessed with it, as it was the first game that 滨鈥檇 played where I could really design and make stuff. Playing the game released a creative side in me, and I got hooked on the fantastical escapism of theme parks. They are inspiring, magical, and 颈迟鈥檚 a different world that takes you away from the realities of everything else.听听
鈥�As I got older, I realised that the more rollercoasters you go on, the more you get used to them and your body just becomes immune to the sensations. You just 诲辞苍鈥檛 dread them anymore, and they become more fun than scary. But of course, there was no university course out there teaching you how to design rollercoasters.鈥�听
John grew up in the West Midlands and knew that he wanted to stay local for his university studies, and his love of rollercoasters and theme parks inspired John to apply for Architecture courses, but it 飞补蝉苍鈥檛 plain sailing.听听
He said: 鈥�滨迟鈥檚 interesting looking back, because I remember when I first started looking at universities, and the idea of theme parks and working in entertainment was quite frowned upon in the Architecture world. A lot of universities were set on students designing things fit for purpose, which makes sense, but it felt like they thought that rollercoasters and theme parks 诲辞苍鈥檛 add anything to the world.听听
鈥淎t other universities, my portfolio was looked at incredibly differently to when I presented it at BCU. At BCU, my dreams were encouraged and the skills I got from both of my degrees set me up for whatever was to come in my future.听
鈥淏ack then, the course was based on the Gosta Green campus, before moving to what is now the City Centre campus for my Master鈥檚. Often, people ask me if 滨鈥檓 an Engineer by trade, and 迟丑别测鈥檙别 always surprised when I say that 滨鈥檓 an Architect. 罢丑补迟鈥檚 the best thing about doing a degree in something like Architecture, because it teaches you so many skills and a little bit of everything, and 迟丑补迟鈥檚 what I have to do every day.听听
鈥淚n my role, I orchestrate creatively, but I also need a good understanding and knowledge of the engineering, how rides work, and the fundamentals. I work with fellow architects too and understand everything going into the project and how to read the plans that 滨鈥檓 presented with. When you look at jobs similar to mine now for the likes of Universal Studios or Disney, a huge amount of them are looking for people who studied Architecture.听
鈥�Alongside my undergraduate degree course, I also worked at the Sea Life Centre as an Entertainment and Tours Host, and I found working at a local attraction really useful.鈥�听
After graduating from BCU in 2013, John worked on projects at holiday parks across the UK, before returning to complete an MA. Whilst he was approaching the end of his postgraduate studies, he discovered his dream job.听听
He said: 鈥�After my BA, I had a year out working at Leisure Concepts, where I worked on projects for places like Forest Holidays, Butlins and Haven, as an Architecture Assistant. They saw that I had a huge passion for theme parks, and they knew that was where my excitement sat, so they started moving me on to projects which had more of an entertainment focus, whilst still using my architecture skills that I learned from my undergraduate degree.听听
鈥�I then returned to BCU to complete my MA, which was helpful as it allowed me to tap into a much wider range of skills and master planning. When I was coming to end of my Master鈥檚, I spotted my dream job, Creative Designer for Merlin Resort Theme Parks. I 诲颈诲苍鈥檛 know if I had a chance, but I applied and then went through a long six months of interviews, presentations and tasks, before I eventually got offered the role very shortly after completing my MA. 滨鈥檝别 been here ever since, which is almost nine years now, working my way up to the role that I now do.听
鈥�Years ago, a colleague knew that I had this insane dream to design rollercoasters, and she gave me a little plaque that I still have today. It has a quote from Walt Disney which says, 鈥楢ll your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them鈥�, and that really stuck with me, so throughout my time at BCU, I just knew that I was going to do everything I could do to make my dreams a reality. By the time I saw my dream role pop up, I had the confidence and courage to apply, and 颈迟鈥檚 led me to where I am today.鈥�听
John was just 27 years old when he was given the opportunity to design a new rollercoaster for Thorpe Park. The Alumnus then spent over four years researching, designing, and working between engineers, fellow architects, builders, marketing teams and so much more before his ride, Hyperia, finally opened to the public in 2024.听听
He said: 鈥�Hyperia was my biggest 鈥槺踱�檝别 made it鈥� moment in my career so far. To have the opportunity to design a rollercoaster is actually incredibly rare, because they 补谤别苍鈥檛 things that get built every single year. They are millions of pounds worth of investment, so the amount of people who get to do that in this world are few and far between, and the challenges that you have to overcome is insane, especially when it comes to planning restrictions.听听
鈥沦辞, for me, Hyperia was a really big, momentous moment in my life. To say that I designed the UK鈥檚 tallest, fastest and most weightless rollercoaster is quite a claim to go against. Hyperia was what my whole career had been building up to.鈥�听
John鈥檚 career provides him with the incredible opportunities to not just travel the world, but to have a real variety in the projects that 丑别鈥檚 a part of.听听
He said: 鈥�My job allows me to travel a lot. Merlin鈥檚 corporate base is in London, but as 滨鈥檓 still living in the Midlands, I work at Alton Towers a huge amount. But as we have theme parks around the world, I do a lot of travelling between them too.听
鈥�It's also a real variety of what we work on. It's not just roller coasters, there's flat rides, there's dark rides, there's hotels and water parks. A lot of what we do is theatre design more than anything; but rather than having the guests sit in the theatre, you'll put the theatre seats onto moving elements that take you into the actual set.听听
鈥淚n this role, it's also really important to be a good storyteller. A huge part of working in my industry is telling stories, creating other worlds and dimensions, and we even have to consider things like the space, the smells, the sounds, so becoming an excellent storyteller first and foremost is vital to my job.鈥�听
John鈥檚 love of all things theme parks 诲辞别蝉苍鈥檛 stop when he leaves the office. He gets his moments of inspiration when 丑别鈥檚 travelling to resorts all around the world and meeting fellow enthusiasts.听听
He said: 鈥淥utside of work, I am very much a theme park enthusiast, and there is a big community of us across the world. Everyone has what we call a 鈥榗red count鈥�, which is how many rollercoasters 测辞耻鈥檝别 been on. 滨鈥檝别 got around 250 on my list, and that has been years of travelling all over to visit attractions. I do that because I enjoy rollercoasters, but I also like to see what others are doing in the industry and to keep up with what the new trends are.听听
鈥淥ne of my favourite rollercoasters is Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay, Florida. 滨迟鈥檚 the first time 滨鈥檇 ever experienced a rollercoaster which created an 鈥�airtime鈥� sensation. Normally on a rollercoaster, you get pushed into your seat, but this one did the opposite, where you almost feel like 测辞耻鈥檙别 out of the train, like an astronaut floating through space.听听
鈥�It was insane, so I wanted to bring that to the UK when I was designing Hyperia. 罢丑补迟鈥檚 why Hyperia is now the most weightless rollercoaster in the UK, because that sensation is so euphoric and I wanted people here in the UK to have the opportunity to experience it too.听听
鈥�My colleagues know that 滨鈥檓 incredibly interested in theme parks outside of my day job, which is part of the reason why 滨鈥檓 in the position that 滨鈥檓 in today, as I take a genuine interest in what鈥檚 out there, and I love working with manufacturers to push new ideas.鈥�听
John鈥檚 career so far has, like a rollercoaster, been a series of incredible highs and serious lows, but 颈迟鈥檚 his passion that keeps him going and looking forward to whatever comes next in his career.听听
He said: 鈥淢y experience in my career so far has very much been like 滨鈥檓 on my very own rollercoaster! There has been the biggest highs and the biggest lows. But 颈迟鈥檚 been an incredible journey. I was thrown in at the deep end right from the start, and I feel like 滨鈥檝别 already had such a creative career, which is what I always wanted.听听
鈥淚 always try and get to the opening of the rides or experiences that 滨鈥檝别 worked on, just to see what people are saying and what they think. If 颈迟鈥檚 positive, then I can be proud. 滨迟鈥檚 always a lot of fun too to get involved with the media and PR aspects of the role, to promote my career and attractions. 滨鈥檝别 been on several TV shows, including Blue Peter, where I was given a Blue Peter badge, which was amazing!听
鈥淏ut like any job, there can be lows too. It can be incredibly stressful with insane deadlines. Some of the budgets can be tight, and managing expectations can be difficult too. But 颈迟鈥檚 my dream job. Growing up, I always dreamt of having this exact job.听听
鈥�In the future, I want to continue working on projects where I get a huge amount of satisfaction. To be able to be creative, and to continue to be passionate about designing amazing guest experiences, is what I want to continue doing in the years to come.鈥�听
John often gets stopped at theme parks around the world by those keen to follow in his footsteps. But his biggest advice is to start working in the entertainment industry before anything else.听听
He said: 鈥淢y advice to students and graduates who would like to follow in my footsteps is to firstly get yourself a little side job or work experience working within the entertainment industry.听听
鈥�My first role at Merlin was whilst I was a student at the Sea Life Centre. Working there gave me a really good understanding of how attractions work and the operational side of things. So, in my job now,鈥疘 design both for form and functional efficiency.鈥�听
John was awarded BCU鈥檚 Alumnus of the Year during July鈥檚 graduation ceremonies. But after the success of Hyperia, could this award compare?听
He said: 鈥�I want to give my heartfelt thank you to the university and those who kindly nominated me for this amazing honour as Alumnus of the Year, recognising my professional journey within the industry of themed entertainment.听听
鈥淎ccepting the award has given me the opportunity to reflect on a journey that began with passion, curiosity, and a deep love for storytelling through immersive experiences, rides and attractions. To my friends and family, your unwavering support and encouragement have meant everything to me.听听
鈥�Pursuing a career fuelled by creativity and passion 丑补蝉苍鈥檛 always been easy, but knowing your support was behind me every step of the way gave me the strength to keep going. Your belief in me has been my foundation, and 滨鈥檓 endlessly grateful.听听
鈥�I also want to also take a moment to pay tribute to every colleague and team 滨鈥檝别 had the privilege to collaborate and learn from throughout my career. Together we have shared a vision to bring joy and create lasting memories to millions of people, by crafting world-class experiences around the globe. So, to all those brilliant, designers, engineers, artists, and dreamers, thank you.鈥�听