Throughout the pathway of my architectural training, which began in 2003 at Oxford Brookes University, I have been fortunate enough to gain a significant amount of experience in practice. The most recent position being concerned with sustainable consultancy at the Manchester office of Building Design Partnership.

This experience provided me with a good solid foundation which was varied and wide ranging and allowed me to gain a comprehensive knowledge which I feel has prepared me for modern practice.

Retail / Commercial:

In my first 12 months in practice I spent a great deal of time working on retail projects for high profile clients such as Spar and Tie Rack ranging in value from £50,000 to £1m. I have also been involved at the forefront of a professional team in the entry of two RIBA competitions in 2007/8 in the second of these competitions, the proposed visitors center at the Brockholes wetland reserve, I was given the lead design role.

DETAILING:

In my position at Masonry Design Ltd. I am responsible for the resolution of 1:1 detail issue, predominantly concerned with high end internal refits. This position requires sound technical understanding, particularly of masonry and ceramics for the production of material schedules and fit out packages. I work with projects ranging in value from £500,00 to £10,000,000.

Health Care:

The largest and most high profile project that I have been involved in during my time in practice was a £1.5m Hospice development for the North West children’s charity Derian house. The project was in the planning stage when I left the company to return to university. The experience that I gained during this project has been invaluable part of my journey.

Residential:

I have worked on residential projects varying in value from £30,000 to £1m. I have been solely responsible for a number of these projects through the planning stage without the supervision of a senior architect, the largest of which was approximately £500,000 in value, I have substantial experience of building regulations with reference to residential projects.

Listed Buildings:

Working at IWA Architects I developed a good understanding of listed buildings and the difference in the architectural treatment and sensitivities needed in these situations particularly within conservation areas. I have worked both on the extension of and repair to listed buildings under the supervision of a senior architect with more than 30 years experience in the field.

Building Regulations:

I have seen a number of projects through the building regulations phase and have gained an in-depth understanding of the technologies and construction practices involved in making a structure safe, warm and watertight.

Conservation:

With IWA architects I worked closely with a number of construction professionals in the development of a feasibility study for the restoration of Blackburn Library. The project required a number of site visits, during which I was comfortable and professional at all times. Later concrete additions appear to be failing and the feasibility study was used to determine the viability and cost effectiveness of restoring the original facade.

Sustainability:

During the summer of 2009 I spent a fortnight in New York working with TerreFarm 1 having been chosen from a large number of applications to attend the summer school. My time was spent exploring urban farming, vertical gardens and green roofs, as an extension of the course I also volunteered as a labourer in the installation of a green roof in Manhattan. More recently during the course of my studies at Manchester School of architecture I undertook a period of work experience within the Sustainable Consultancy team at BDP Manchester where I was fortunate enough to experience work on international feasibility studies.