My WORK
An urban designer and landscape architect with 10 years experience
working in a range of areas.
Specialisations:
- Urban design
- Transport planning
- Stormwater management
- Ecological
design & management
- Community
consultation
- Designing for
disabled access
- Design for
crowd management
See below for some examples of my portfolio. Por favor, entre em contato se quiser este informação
em Português, ou se gostaria de saber mais sobre minha experiência
profissional.
I am lucky to have worked with some of the biggest and most respected
urban design firms in the United Kingdom, where I gained wide experience delivering
urban regeneration projects. I worked on international masterplanning projects
that required me to travel to Russia. My work also includes large strategic
planning projects such as Environmental Impact Assessment.
Urban design projects are highly complex and required me to
develop skills in communication and flexibility. The work is collaborative in
nature: I coordinated projects with traffic engineers, structural, electronic, hydrological and
lighting engineers, quantity surveyors, other architectural teams, government
officials, NGO’s, publicity managers, community spokespersons, disability
representatives, ecological consultants, archaeologists, sociologists, artists
and others. Liaising with these diverse groups, coordinating meetings and tasks,
required a high level of diplomacy, cooperation and organisation to meet the requirements
of all parties involved. At the same time I remained dedicated to delivering
high quality projects on schedule and within budget.
Working for the UK’s leading environmental consultancy, I gained
experience in storm water management with natural water purification systems. I
worked on river realignment and river restoration projects and also habitat
creation. I became familiar with environmental legislation, produced detailed
reports, worked closely with ecologists but also civil engineers on large
highways projects.
Earlier in my career, working with major residential and
institutional architects practices, I had unique
opportunities to develop ambitious and experimental design schemes for large
budgets. I gained valuable appreciation for the processes and structural
organisation of large architectural projects.
I graduated from the Surrey Institute
of Art and Design in 2000 with a BA honours in
Interior Architecture and design. Then after working for 4 years
in large scale projects including institutions such as universities, hospitals
and commercial projects such as shopping centres, and sports centres, I
completed a 2 year Postgraduate
Diploma in Landscape Architecture at theUniversity of Sheffield, in 2005, with
a renowned research centre in Planning and Landscape Design. I studied
under leading world specialists in the fields of strategic planning,
environmental design and green roofs. My specialisms were urban renewal
and planning for coastal realignment in reaction to sea level rises.
Here a selection of my projects are
listed with links to graphics presentations.
INTERNATIONAL:
I was involved in the ambitious design of a new city in Russia,
population 30,000, which involved trips to Moscow to take part in design
charrettes with Russian architects, planners and the client. The planned city
is located in a UNESCO world heritage area, because of a number of royal
palaces built during Catherine the Great’s reign. These charrettes were
followed by detailed design work and report production in collaboration with architects
in Russia. In other work for Russian clients I designed smaller scale projects
such as parks, streets, avenues and residential areas. I worked as part of a
team creating a masterplan for a new city in the United Arab Emirates.
As part of a charrette in Moscow, I worked on this theoretical project
developing a strategic approach to urban planning. The objective being to
provide clear guidelines to effectively plan cities. We developed a language of
urban forms and categorised them from the largest urban elements down to
residential neighbourhood spaces. The presentation in this link shows how
we presented logical steps towards a definition for the typology of urban
elements, with examples and illustrations. We proceeded to use the tool in a
real situation designing a new city.
URBAN PLANNING AND DESIGN:
Dramatic redesign of central square of an historic English city in front
of the main train station. I was the leading architect in the remodelling of
this busy city centre transport interchange and the large public plaza at it’s
centre. Major changes to the road network as a result of this project included the
removal of a road in the city centre, removal of a roundabout junction in front
of the station, impacting on the sequencing of all traffic light signals and
flows of traffic throughout the city. New
and improved major bus stops and taxi ranks were introduced, new signage and a
car park. The focal point of this £4m project was a large high quality public
square, the main city centre square. I was involved in the design of
spectacular new fountains, the planting of very large, mature trees delivered
from Germany, a grand new entrance to the train station and flexible space for
large events. The plaza is now a major destination in itself as well as an outstanding
first impression of the city for people arriving at the city by train. The city
is famous for being the home of one of Britain’s great prime ministers, the new
design for the square honours this heritage with an improved plinth and
surroundings for his statue.
An ambitious transformation of the main city centre avenue of one of
Britain’s largest cities, and the busiest shopping street in the country. This
project is the 2nd phase
of a previous project by the same company; a project that won prestigious
design awards, and has become a national emblem of modern Scotland seen on
postcards. The improvements, including the pedestrianisation of a large area and
fantastic lighting, have proved to be enormously popular with businesses and
visitors. Main elements of the project include: highest quality street
improvements, modern street furniture, highlighting of historical buildings, careful
attention to details and excellent craftmanship in construction. The scheme
includes dramatic blue lighting, public art, new street trees, an events area,
the grand entrance to a large shopping centre and a striking new entrance in
illuminated blue glass to the metro station. A unique opportunity in this
project was how to represent the historical importance of this location: it is
believed to be the exact spot of the first church in Scotland, built by St
Enoch, on his arrival from Ireland in the 6th or 7th century.
Strategic plan for urban renewal. Study to identify key strategic
locations to focus improvements, in this economically and socially depressed
area. The plan takes a wide area of a major UK city, analysing
information about the features that make the city: historic, economic, social
and cultural, transport infrastructure, existing neighbourhood centres,
amenities and spatial aspects. The report identifies problems in the
urban form that contribute to poor quality of life for residents and low economic
investment. Then we represent visually the recommendations where and how
interventions should be made in the city area for the most effective results.
Study to assess problems in pedestrian circulation in a city
neighbourhood, specifically in relation to the train station and in view of
major new development of a highway viaduct to be built over the train station
and surrounding streets. My work involved extensive site visits, map research
and analysis and community consultations. The report describes the problems in
pedestrian circulation in the area as it was existing, as well as future
projections after the highway viaduct development. The study considers
transportation in the wider area of the whole city and future developments in
the coming years; such as the athlete village and sports grounds for the
Commonwealth Games 4km away. The report gives 8 key recommendations on how
improvements can be made. Following the publication of this report my company
was asked to take one of the 8 recommendations forward and construct the street
improvements. For client continuity I was responsible for managing the project shown here.
Strategic study to access impacts of new power lines across rural area
of outstanding natural beauty and popular recreation use. The objective being
to analyse the various options and arrive at the best route. New demands for sustainable
energy supply are creating significant requirements for new infrastructure of
power production and transmission. My tasks were to evaluate the qualitative
value of views for residents and tourists, but also costs calculations based on
technical factors such as: slope inclinations, route distances, direction changes
and other details that influence costs. I undertook extensive site visits with
engineers, to understand and visualise the various route options.
Study to assess visual impacts of a major new building development in a scenic
and historically important area. The proposed development is near to the site of
Scotland’s last major battle, and, therefore the area has heritage and tourism
value. My tasks involved desk based research analysing mapping and
other information sources, followed by site visits to collect real site
information. After I worked on interpretation, following established,
nationally recognised steps and tools, to present the information and reach
objective conclusions in the decision making process.
Design and presentation for a new tram route in one of the UK’s most
important cities, work included organisation of the streets where the tram will
pass according to transport requirements and regulations, management of survey
information to access impact of existing infrastructure below the ground,
aesthetic design to provide pleasant environments for tram users and other
people affected. The presentation shows plans and artists impressions of how it
is expected to look when finished.
Following the Access Strategy
Report my company
was asked to take the project to the next level and build one of the
recommended interventions, as an impulse to urban
renewal in the area. The design was the vast improvement of the primary
approach to the train station from the main street. This project involved a
radical concept in street design, known as “shared surface”, where the normal
traffic signage and street demarcations between traffic and pedestrians are
removed to leave a clear and smooth street, free from clutter, where cars,
bicycles and pedestrians share the space. Drivers need to go more carefully and
the environment is safer, more attractive and more useful for citizens. I had
to work closely with traffic and drainage engineers to comply with official
regulations in this new approach to urban design, and I worked with structural
engineers to check the viability of new retaining walls and other structures. I
held public consultations and meetings with community organisations and
schools, because the changes significantly affected their properties. I
produced graphic images to compare “before and after” to show the client and
the public, and I was involved in all stages up to technical detailed design
and construction.
Three dimensional modelling using the programme, Sketchup to develop and
illustrate design development. This presentation uses just the simple software;
Sketchup, but I also have experience designing in 3D Studio Max, AutoCAD 3D,
Corel, Adobe, GIS and various other design software programmes.
INSTITUTIONAL:
Masterplan for a psychiatric hospital on the site of an existing
historical mansion in a riverside setting. In addition to regular
masterplanning and landscape design work I needed to take an approach that
included psychological and medical understanding of the functions of the
psychiatric hospital. The focus was on security and therapeutic landscapes,
combined with a sensitive approach to this ecologically and historically
important location. Design work included lakes, woodlands in natural settings,
entrance avenue, gateway, ornamental gardens, car park layouts, road and
footpath networks, various smaller patient gardens. A unique feature of the
plan was a radical piece of art at the entrance in large scale “earthwork”.
Redesigned square in prominent position in an historic English
university. The original square was dark and damp, without any chance to stop
and sit, and it contained a series of unnecessary steps that made it impossible
for disabled access. It is in an important location following a spatial
sequence from the adjoining historic university quad in typical traditional
style found in many of Britain’s oldest
universities. In contrast to the adjoining quad, my design is modern,
bright, logical and simple with smooth wheelchair access, ample circulation
space, abundant seating, flowering vegetation and trees. Being an old
university provided some technical difficulties in the construction. A further
challenge was the short construction period, during the summer shut-down
period. However, the new square is now proving very popular with students and
visitors and has become the main outdoor space of the campus.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING:
River re-aligned to historical routes following decades of running
through culverts and underground through the city centre. I was involved with
the design and management of the transition of the underground parts of the
river being brought back to the surface, and brought back to life. Many
features were included in the design that closely mimic natural ecological
systems to encourage ecological diversity and to repopulate the river with native
plants and animal life. Part of my work was also to enhance strategic parts of
rivers where important wildlife habitat for protected species had been lost or
is threatened I worked to ameliorate problems and threats posed by human
development. I also helped develop natural engineering systems to cleanse water
runoff from buildings and highways, especially during storm events, to slow the
rate of water into rivers and sewage networks, and to reduce or remove flooding
and pollution.
Wetland design and construction. Working with the leading environmental
consultants in the area with a long record of success in habitat creation and
ecological management I learnt from the best in the industry. As well as being
familiar with environmental law and working as writing reports to provide
recommendations and instructions, this project required me to design and
construct new wildlife habitat. As a result of British law, highway
construction is required to provide appropriate new habitat for protected
species where new highway development destroys important ecological areas. I
designed strong, self sustaining ecological systems capable of supporting
diverse plant and animal life. For this I collaborated with ecological experts,
carried out site surveys, and was involved with the delicate transportation of
plants & animals from the construction site to the newly created habitat,
to closely recreate the biological qualities of the original habitat.
RESIDENTIAL:
High rise, luxury residential development in riverside setting. My involvement
included the design of a large decorative roof garden with impressive bespoke
sculptures, fountains and dramatic lighting, all in high quality materials.
Outside the building I designed a sophisticated entrance and lighting, and a
unique walkway suspended over the river, designed in timber, to create a
tranquil space close to nature in this busy city centre location.
SPORTS FACILITIES:
Artificial climbing structures for rock climbers and interactive play
sculptures for children’s adventure playgrounds. As the main designer for this
small company, I was responsible for all design work; client consultation, site
surveys, contracting work from structural engineers, artists, suppliers and
professional climbers, I was responsible for project management, graphic design
work and technical construction drawings, I also played a key role in
overseeing construction, company advertising, staff management and business
administration.
