consultant
A4B Architecture Consultants
Total years of experience :19 years, 8 Months
Diverse work from Planning applications and submissions, through to work in Nigeria for infrastructure studies, advising the Bureau Of Public Enterprises, in Abuja on privatisation; of ports, airports, electricity, rail and telecommunications. This work is ongoing with further feasibility studies for Liberia and Ghana envisaged.
Notable recent work in the Benelux has been joint venture submissions with Contractors and Building Team Professionals for bids in both the Middle-East and Far-East, with notable contacts in Japan and China.
Sep 2007 - Dec 2008
Travel sabbatical
A necessary break to consider my future plans.
Six months travel by motorcycle from the UK to south Africa, via East Africa. On to Central America travelling overland from Guatemala to Panama. Finally to Asia, again travelling overland through Pakistan, India, Nepal, Tibet, China and all South East Asia.
July 2006 - Aug 2007
J M Architects
Goodbard House, 15 Infirmary Street, Leeds, LS1 2JP
Regional Design Director.
Head of design for the Yorkshire region reporting directly to the board of Directors in Edinburgh Scotland.
A significant part of my role was Client liaison & procurement, with the ability to successfully pitch concept designs and deliver projects from inception to completion, with complete hands on control. Further responsible for the overall management of multiple key projects, leadership and management of associates and their design teams, governance of fee setting and technical/ design support for the studio.
Sitting with the Board Of Directors, the financial, commercial and operational responsibilities where undertaken and discharged correctly and often robustly through changing economic fortunes. A testing environment to create a design and graphic brand in a shrinking marketplace.
Standout client procurement was Ham Holdings for a Mixed Use development in 'Little Germany ' Bradford and the 'Bee-Hive' Mills residential development for McGinness and Co. also in Bradford.
Mar 2005 - May 2006
Darnton Elgee
The Coach House, Monk Fryston Hall, Monk Fryston, Leeds, LS25 5DU.
Head of Design, Senior Associate.
Head of the practice design team. This was mixed discipline practice of Architects, Building Surveyors and Project managers. I was brought within the organisation to inject design flair into the business and bring graphic branding to the practice strategy They required an individual with drive and ambition to lead and direct the office in its commercially sound, but until then rudderless design direction. It was a challenging post; a traditional practice and an aging board, knowing change was required but a grudging respect for doing so.Together we implemented a 'one-hand' approach with a common detailing policy to all projects at design stage.
A Practice concentrating in retail, notably with Asda and the larger retail chains. I was able to expand on my own experience within this domain as well as to further develop opportunities in Educational, Residential and Sustainable building, thus cementing my own core experience for the practice.
Business development was a key role, developing new opportunities and existing client relationships. Stand out client procurement was Huddersfield University and the brief to develop and extend their town centre Faculties Centre.
May 2001 - Feb 2005
Michael Wild Architects Architekten Architectes.
31 Rue des Ateliers, Bascharage, Luxembourg.
Principal.
As principal founder/ architect of the practice I was responsible for all office operations.
Employer of 12-15 architectural and administrative staff, the company had a balanced portfolio of Residential, Mixed Use, Private Housing, Transformations and Educational facilities. All with than emphasis on modern and sustainable approach.
The practice was successful in a number of Urban Design competitions with wins for the Batiments Public in Petange and Bascharage in collaboration TR Engineers Lux and Best Engineering Lux SA. respectively.
I was and remain, proud of my work in this period .In fact I believe this to be the most productive and innovative phase of my career to date, but the personal break-up with the Mother of my daughter, led to a strong desire to return to the UK and my own immediate family.
Aug 1997 - May 2001
Concept 5
270 route de Thionville, Hesperange, Luxembourg.
Founding Partner and Head of Design.
I set up my first multi-disciplinary company with a view to winning governmental projects and prestigious residential contracts with private clients and commercial developers.
As a practice we achieved several competition laureates including the American International School, Central Luxembourg, a primary school for Garnich and a Mixed Use development in Kirchberg, the new business and economic centre of Luxembourg city. The company was a successful venture employing 25 architectural staff and a healthy client base. Unfortunately Concept 5 came to an end due to directorial differences and I was driven to go it alone as the company was split down the middle. I retain a healthy relationship with my former partner and collaborate occasionally on urban development projects in the Benelux.
Mar 1993 - July 1997
Elan Architects
16, rue de l'Ecole, Garnich. Luxembourg.
Architect
Notable competition win for Fonds du Logments. Stadt Ville And the regeneration plan for the communes of Echternacht and Esch sur Alzette. And later Sandweiler and Mondorf Les Bains.
The traditional role of Architect involved in all levels of work at this busy but small young practice.
July 1991 - Jan 1993
The Gillinson Partnership
Headingley, Leeds.
Part II Architectural Assistant
Headingley Cricket Ground Extension and Press facilities.
Design development, Planning applications, Building Regulation Submissions & Site supervision JCT contract administration.
In charge for all practise Competition entries, most notably the South Shields urban regeneration and Morecambe seafront redevelopment, runners up in both entries to Arups.
Nov 1987 - Oct 1988
Michael Haskoll Associates
39 Harrington Gardens, London, SW7 4JU.
Feasibility studies, Design development for retail & mixed use developments. Responsible for design and presentation.
Landmark London Pavilion, London, 26 million Sterling
Assisting in job running and site supervision. RIBA part I Architectural Assistant
July 1986 - Nov 1987
Wurmfeld Associates
21 East Street, 3rd Avenue, New York.
Planning applications and Building Regulations Submissions for a luxury hotel & resort complex in Jamaica. RIBA part I year out position.
1991 M. Phil. (Urbanism) U.C.L. University College London
1988 -1990 1983 -1987 Post Graduate Diploma in Architecture. BA (Hons) Architecture. Leeds Metropolitan University
1981 - 1983 GCE A Levels Pure & Applied Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Human Biology, Art & General Studies.
1976 - 1983 Grange School, Rochdale Road, Oldham.
1981 GCE O Levels Mathematics, English Lang. English Lit. French, Physics, Chemistry, Biology Human Biology, History, Geography, Art & General Studies.
