Stephenson studied architecture at the
Liverpool University School of Architecture. After graduating he worked with
Building Design Partnership and was partner at Michael Hyde & Partners in Manchester before founding his own practice, established in 1979. The Practice has been awarded over 40 national awards for buildings it has designed and was shortlisted for the
Stirling Prize in 1998 for the
Quay Bar, Castlefield and again in 2013 for
Chetham's School of Music. It has received acclaim for the way he has dealt with new uses in terms of the historical context found in most British cities. As a recognition to his services to
architecture, Stephenson was appointed an OBE in the
Birthday Honour's List of 2001. Stephenson has held a number of external positions; he was a visiting professor and external examiner at the
Chinese University of Hong Kong, external examiner at
Newcastle University, a
Civic Trust assessor, jury chairman for the
RIBA Awards and was an RIBA national councillor. He was a member of the CABE national design panel for 6 years and Chairman of
RIBA North West. ==Notable buildings designed==