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[CAREER OBJECTIVE]
My aim has always been to build a successful career in architecture and design. I have always tried to constantly improve upon my existing capabilities whenever I can, and have tried to bring ideas and techniques from other disciplines into the architectural and design environment by further developing my own skill-set.
[EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS]
2005-2007: The Bartlett School of Architecture (UCL) Diploma Architecture
[Unit/Tutors] Unit 19, Neil Spiller & Phil Watson (Year 2)
Final year project: The Titanomachia: The development of a Telematic system, based on the poem ‘The Theogony’, charting the lineage of the ancient Greek gods to the epic final battle, ‘The Titanomachia’…the development of a system based around a human operator and machine avatar working in a distant environment… Final year thesis: Experiential Telematics:Research and development of flexible human-machine systems [Unit/Tutors] Unit 24, Steve Hardy & Jonas Lundberg. (Year 1)
Final project: LOX Racing: A centre to watch and to experience the thrill of racing high-powered aircraft along the coast of the United States, Greenland and Iceland as well as straight across the Atlantic Ocean, with bases in New York and London. History & Theory assessed component: TERMINAL: The Ecological Impact of Global Aviation.
2000-2003: University of Greenwich, BA Honours Architecture [2:1]
[Unit/Tutors] Atelier 6, Alex Graef & Christopher Hill
Final year project: Bio-Mechanical Architecture: The development of an architectural model/form based upon the relationship between biological and technical elements…structures built around the idea of two buildings/elements that work together/need each other for survival/existence… Final year dissertation: Architecture & Power: Reflections of political ideology in architecture.
[KEY SKILLS] Computer Graphics capabilities: I am well versed in the use of the following programs. Please also see ‘Personal Training’
AutoCAD: Used primarily for drawing of plans/section/elevations but also for line drawings. Rhinoceros: A NURBS modelling package designed for engineering quality precision that I have to create accurate 3D models, usually for rendering in 3D MAX. During my time with SOM, I also put together a training program for other staff members. Adobe Photoshop: Used for the creation of presentation sheets/editing computer models. Experienced in the use of mixed media compositions including editing of 3D models (See below) hand drawn elements & photo editing. I also use Photoshop as the main program for my digital concept artwork. 3D Studio MAX: Occasionally used for modelling but mainly used for rendering of CAD and Rhino models. Composition of multiple models/elements for base renders for post-production in other graphics programs or for ‘Final render’ quality images.
[EMPLOYMENT & WORK EXPERIENCE]
2007-2008: Skidmore Owings & Merrill Inc
I worked for SOM as an Architectural Assistant from September 2007 to December 2008. During that time, my role was primarily design led; on all of the projects I was involved with I assisted the lead-architect in creating digital models and preparing materials for the clients’ approval and on certain projects the submission of planning documents and final drawings.
Forum Properties Business Centre: Moscow: Near the site of the Moscow Olympic stadium, this was a design scheme for a business centre, a small youth centre/theatre and a chapel. I was involved in all aspects of the design phase, but was mainly involved with 3D modelling and 2D image creation. Trinity Place: St Petersburg: In many respects, a similar project to the business centre on Moscow, in terms of size and site. As with that project, I was involved to some degree with all aspects of the design phase Park Zanderweed, Deventer, The Netherlands: This was a design competition for a residential scheme. I was involved in the later stages of the project, and produced some of the final images needed for the design submission. Qatar Petroleum Beach & Boating Club: I worked on this project for a short period of time, and produced the base renders used as part of the design development process. Leamouth Peninsula: London: On this project I was primarily involved with preparing proposals for the foot bridge that was to cross the River Lea. I created a number of digital models for each of the different proposed bridges. Great Eastern Enterprise: London: On this project I was solely responsible for creating the 3D Rhino model used to prepare renders/massing studies/lighting studies for the planning application; in total, 5 buildings including a raised podium with shops at ground level. Jumeirah Garden City: Dubai: This project includes a cultural district, with a brief for a distinct cultural building in the centre. I was asked to re-model and re-design one of two proposed designs for the site. Regrettably, I was transferred to a different project before I got beyond the initial proposals. Crossharbour: London: This project is a large residential project in Canary Wharf. On this project, I worked with the technical co-ordinator to update drawings based on on-site questions.
2004-2005: Westlea Housing Association I worked for the local Housing Associations Architects team between July 2004 and August 2005. My duties involved aiding the senior technician with preparing plans, working with clients and contractors, and submitting planning applications.
2003-2004: David Bonnet Associates: Access consultancy research and design: My duties in this position and experience gained included preparation of access consultancy documents, and on site access audits.
[PERSONAL TRAINING]
I have in recent years been to teaching myself new skills in my own time using a variety of different software packages. Below is a list of the training manuals and DVD’s that I have completed.
Fundamentals & Beyond Courseware-3ds Max 7: A full training manual written by discreet approved tutors. Inside Rhinoceros 3: Manual that gives the student a full understanding of the modelling capabilities of Rhino. Deconstructing the elements with 3ds Max 6: A training manual that teaches methods to reproduce realistic world ‘elements’ in the 3ds max 6 (or 7) program; for example rain, grass, mountain ranges etc. Essential CG Lighting techniques with 3ds Max: A manual that teaches different lighting techniques in 3ds Max 8. Model, Rig, Animate with 3ds Max 7: A manual that teaches the student how to model a basic human from 3ds max solids, ‘rig’ the model so that it has bones for manipulation purposes and a basic introduction to animating it. 3D Game textures & The Dark side of Game texturing: Not just for games! These are two very useful manuals that teach the fundamentals of texturing three-dimensional objects with realistic looking materials. Realistic Architectural Visualisation: A manual that teaches how to create interior and exterior renderings using 3D Max 9. This was very useful during the projects in Moscow and St Petersburg for external renders, while the internal renders I produced for the Great Eastern Project were a direct result of the skills I learnt completing this manual. Rendering with Mental Ray and 3D Max: A step-by-step guide to using the Mental Ray engine in 3D max 9. This has been invaluable, as in tandem with the Realistic Architectural Visualisation manual, it has given me a great working knowledge of the materials and lighting available with 3D Max.
I my spare time, in order to supplement the highly technical drawings skills I already have. I continue to develop my digital painting skills whenever possible. I have completed the Gnomon workshop’s Introduction to Digital painting in Adobe Photoshop & Advanced Digital Painting in Adobe Photoshop training DVD’s by Christian Lorenz Scheurer. I have also completed From Speedpainting to Concept Art by David Levy, another useful training program’s for Photoshop. I continue to complete these DVD’s, when time and money permits.
[PERSONAL INTERESTS] Like most designers I gather my ideas from a number of different sources including but not limited to what I consider to be my personal interests.
Fiction/Science fiction novels/Authors: Classic sci-fi authors and titles such as HG Wells War of the Worlds and more modern examples such as Frank Herbert’s Dune series, Robert Heinlein and William Gibson’s Neuromancer. I also read a lot of books by Damien Lewis, Douglas Reeman (War stories) C.J Samson’s Shardlake novels and Conn Iggulden’s Conqueror and Emperor novels (Historical Novels). Technology & Society: Books such as Charles Hable Gray’s Cyborg Handbook and Cyborg Citizen as well as more architecturally orientated books like The Virtual Dimension. James J Hughes Citzen Cyborg, and Manuel De Landa’s War in the age of Intelligent Machines. Films/Directors: The Fifth Element, The Day the Earth stood Still, The Longest Day Concept Artwork: I have already mentioned my interest in digital paintings, the images used in film and other production environments to try out new ideas. I have a number of books by different artists across different disciplines. I have experimented with my own pieces, and I have a small web space specifically for this work [www.ironsideindustrial.deviantart.com]