Architecture
I have been working in Architecture almost since leaving school in the mid-8os. After leaving School I studied at colleges in Barnstaple and Exeter gaining practical City and Guilds qualifications in Carpentry and Joinery, Masonry, Building Services and Decorating whilst also studying for ONC and HNC Building Tecnology.
I worked initially for Clive Jones and Associates where we specialised in Environmentally Conscious Architecture, a long time before it became fashionable. We worked on projects designing extensions and refurbishments to Cheshire Homes in Devon and South Wales and several Medical Centres as well as lots of bread and butter Barn Conversion jobs. Clives enthusiasm for all things 'Green' gave me a good deal of experience in this area and its something I take interest in to this day. I worked with Clive for 10 years before becoming self-employed when the practice moved to Bideford.
After a couple of years self-employment designing and working 'on-the-tools' on building projects I was asked to go and help Jonathan Rhind Architects 'for a week or ten days' Jonathan said when he called. I was there for nearly ten years! I worked with a great team at JRA where we specialised in Conservation work. I ran projects on large country houses, churches, and castles amongst others. A lot of our work involved working on site with contractors to solve the problems that naturally arise whilst repairing complex old buildings, this gave me a great insight into the use of traditional materials and techniques. I was also on the design team for some fast track modern restaurant projects, the nature of these projects meant that detailed design was done mostly on site as we went. We used a lot of high quality high value materials in these projects and a lot of purpose made items and I have retained some good contacts from this time. I left JRA to work in our family business and spend more time at home in 2003.
Since selling our family business I have been self-employed again and now work freelance for a number of Design and Property Companies throughout the South of England as well as on projects for private individuals throughout Exmoor and beyond.
-
Services: Measured Survey Work using laser and traditional methods. Architectural Drawings for Planning, Building Regulation, Listed Building, Environment Agency Applications etc and also publicity or management uses. Drawings are prepared using AutoCAD software or traditional pen and ink as is appropriate. Photography. Website design.
I have been using AutoCAD for years and have to finally admit it is far better than drawing by hand. I have amassed a huge database of traditional building details on c omputer file I can call on making design work on traditional buildings particularly efficient. Increasingly Planning Authorities are asking for a great deal of detailed information on Joinery and the like and to reproduce drawings of this complexity can take a lot of time, having this information easily to hand saves time and money for clients.
-
Current Projects: I am currently working on several projects for an Exmoor based property company as well as private commercial and domestic scale projects.
Return to MuddyRedLandRover
©Will Bowden 2008