Stirk was born in 1957 in Leeds, England,[REF] he joined the Richard Rogers Partnership in 1983 after studying at Oxford Polytechnic where he graduated with first-class honours degree (Bachelor of Science) [REF].
After his studies he joined the Richard Rogers Partnership and was made a director in 1988,[REF] and by 2007 the name of the practice changed from Richard Rogers Partnership to Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners in recognition of Ivan Harbour and Stirk's contribution to the firm.