Press, Alex

A R CHI T E C T U RAL PORTF OLIO Alexander David Press (Alex)

CURRICULUM VITAE

I am an aspiring architect with a commitment to using design to facilitate positive social change. My interest in architecture began with a desire to create spaces that not only inspire but also serve the needs of diverse populations, particularly those who are underserved or marginalised.

I have a passion for developing innovative approaches to affordable housing design and focus on finding solutions for today’s challenges: sustainability, affordability, and the drive to achieving net zero.

ALEXANDER DAVID PRESS

Interest in Passive house design.

(KNOWN AS ALEX)

Passive house design represents a holistic approach to sustainable architecture I am fascinated by the potential of passive house principles to revolutionise the way we design and construct buildings, harnessing natural resources and employing passive strategies to create buildings that are not only environmentally responsible but also provide superior comfort and liveability for occupants.

ARCHITECT PART 2 STUDENT Reference Contacts Simon Venables - Director Ainsley Gommon Architects svenables@agarchitects.co.uk 01244 537 100 Dominic Wilkinson - Programme Leader Liverpool John Moores University d.e.wilkinson@ljmu.ac.uk

ABOUT ME

MASTERS DEGREE Eduction

2022 – Present M.Arch at Liverpool John Moore’s University 2017 – 2020 BA (Hons) at University of Huddersfield Architecture Architecture International Achieved 2:1 2015-2017 York College of Further Education 2010 – 2015 Fulford School, York

During my Masters course at Liverpool John Moores University I have enjoyed the opportunity to enhance my knowledge of construction methods and spent time discovering alternative ways to approach architectural challenges. This has strengthened my ambition to become a fully qualified architect and to work, not only in the UK but overseas.

SKILLS Confident user of Computer Aided Design software (CAD) • Revit • AutoCAD • Photoshop • InDesign • Lumion • Enscape Rendering Have also used architectural software’s including; • SketchUp • Rhino Proficient in hand drawing and model making Competent in using Microsoft packages

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Lodge Lane

Lodge Lane

Zorrotzaurre

Zorrotzaurre

Liverpool, UK

Liverpool, UK

Bilbao, Spain

Bilbao, Spain

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10 - 11

LODGE LANE WONDERLAND Year 2022

Location Lodge Lane, Liverpool, UK

Degree Level M.Arch Postgraduate Year 1, Semester 1 Liverpool John Moores University

Project Description The project task was to redesign the urban layout of Lodge Lane. The brief was to improve and make a radical change to the urban layout whilst still being pratical for the local population and businesses.

My individual design work focused on the idea of creating a social area for the community, using precedents from the POP in Brixton and Spark in York. I decided to use repurposed shipping containers as accommodation for small independent businesses and create a social area.

Stacking the shipping containers on top of each other creates different heights and levels which increases interest, different views of the surrounding area and encourages exploration. I included two performance spaces that can be used flexibly for entertainment and creates the feeling of being safety being enclosed within an environment.

I then modelled the design in Revit and once I was happy with the design, I used photoshop to create floor/site plans and exported the Revit model into Lumion to create the rendered images.

LODGE LANE CO-LIVING Year 2023

Location Lodge Lane, Liverpool, UK

Degree Level M.Arch Postgraduate Year 1, Semester 2 Liverpool John Moores University

Project Description Innovative approach to designing an affordable and sustainable living environment that encourages social cohesion regardless of income level.

pollinators.

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Solar panels

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Solar water heaters

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Ground source heating/ cooling

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the small eco-system in the pond.

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Underfloor heating

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Rainwater harvesting

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Natural circulated to reduce overheating

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Community garden

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Lighting in the shared outdoor space

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Permeable surface areas

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Natural shading

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Passivehaus standards

Limited car parking

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Rainwater Tank

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Pond For environmental and Biodiversity purposes

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Rainwater Tank

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Integrate Bee Bee Bricks Integrated Bricks

Integrated Bat Integrated BatBoxs Boxes

My first year M.Arch project was to develop a new build proposal. The brief stated that the site must develop the concept of coliving, with the emphasis on sustainability and community living.

My design focused on a shared garden area that allows all residents to meet and socialise in a safe space. Fencing heights were set at 1500mm, to provide personal space but to allow visual monitoring of children in the shared space.

First Floor Plan - 1B Apartment layout

Wall Section Model

Ground Floor Plan - 1B Apartment layout

Pond Environment View

Shared Garden Pathways

Seated Social Space

Shared Garden Pathways & Mini Forrest

Different typologies of dwellings are included within the site plan to accommodate a wide range of housing needs. “Tenure blindness”, is a valuable design principle for mixing ‘market’ and ‘subsidised housing’ in one development, and it is one I incorporated into this design brief.

Energy efficient technology is integral to the design of each dwelling, and this includes the use of solar panels, building to passive house standards, using renewable energy sources to the use of LEDs in street lighting.

ZORROTZAURRE PARK Year 2023

Location Zorrotzaurre Island, Bilbao, Spain

Degree Level M.Arch Postgraduate Year 2, Semester 1 Liverpool John Moores University

Project Description A group project which explored the opportunities to design an accessible urban parks for residents and develop Zorrotzaurre as a tourist destination, offering a diverse range of environments.

Person Perspective in the new Bilbao Eden Centre

Density & Zoning

Light & View Angles

Elevation Design

3D Urban Design

Sculpture Park

Bilbao Eden Centre

Education & Sculpture Park

Urban Square

Pedestrian Boulevard

Site Plan

Development of an “Eden Centre” on Zorrotzaurre was inspired by Bilboa’s Master Plan which aims to develop as a sustainable city. Bilboa is more vulnerable than other cities to extreme climate events and requires adapting to climate change quickly.

Forest Area

Reconnecting people with the natural environment has many health benefits and allows research into biodiversity, whilst supporting wildlife and natural habitats to reduce our carbon footprint and reduce flooding, to which Zorrotzaurra is especially prone. This includes an educational park allowing the research to be shared.

Surrounding the site is active travel environment that is accessible via nonmotorised means; walking, cycling running/jogging can all be enjoyed safely by all age groups. Seating areas allow people to stay, socialise and enjoy the natural surroundings

Developing Zorrotzaurre as a tourist destination we included a multi use area for watching and holding sporting and social events and festivals. We were inspired by the London 2012 “Olympic Way” which allows thousands of spectators the ability to walk to every event and it is completely accessible.

Leading up to Bilbao’s Eden Centre is a forest park which encourages wildlife habitats to become established and creates a natural environment to support well-being.

Cycle & Jogging Ribbon

Shaded Walkway The inclusion of a shaded walkway enables pedestrians to move between the sculpture park and the amenities on the island within shade offering a haven from the searing heat of a Bilbao summer.

Zorrotzaurre Boulevard A person-centred pedestrian street frames Bilbao’s Football stadium, this gives opportunity for entrepreneurial ventures including pop up shops, stands and street performances to take place.

ZORROTZAURRE REBIRTH Year 2024 Location Zorrotzaurre Island, Bilbao, Spain Degree Level M.Arch Postgraduate Year 2, Semester 2 Liverpool John Moores University Project Description Development of a 15 minute urban city design with mixed use buildings that accommodate: commercial, residential, recreational and business facilities.

Site Plan Development

Proposed Urban Site Plan

Proposed Building

Scaled Site Model My final M.Arch Year 2 thesis was design and develop a proposal for Zorrotzaurre located in Bilbao, Spain.

My thesis is to develop a “design guide” that would be used by architects when designing each building on site.

In collaboration with residents and stakeholders the design principles will ensure that homes, work places or leisure facilities have a focus on creating spaces that; transform communities, connect people, take account of sustainable design to achieve net zero.

The guide will support both quality and quantity because there is a high demand for housing in Bilbao as well as vibrant new space for leisure.

I designed the master plan with sustainable infrastructure at its heart, complete with; renewable energy, layered transport systems, zero emission buildings and nonmechanical means of temperature control.