Accomplished designer and manager with a distinguished 14-year career having experience in a wide range of design and project management in both property development companies and private architectural practice.
POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE (RIBA PART III) // 2016-2017
UCL The Bartlett School of Architecture, London, UK
MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE (RIBA PART II) // 20072009
Expertise and leadership throughout all forms of construction and residential development projects. As a lead consultant on many projects, advising on the need for and scope of services by specialist consultants, sub-contractors, and suppliers. Coordinating design of all construction elements, establishing the form and content of design outputs, their interfaces and verification procedure.
I pride myself on my strong graphic and design skills, a high standard of communication and the ability to lead a team or work independently. Facilitate communications between the client and consultants. Preparation of project briefs, appointments, and work stage programmes. Ensuring the effective use of information technology in design and management. Keeping within financial budgets and deadlines.
University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURAL STUDIES (RIBA PART I) // 2003-2005 MATRIC CERTIFICATE // 1998-2002
University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa Westville Boys’ High School, Durban, South Africa
The project is a large-scale Build-to-rent residential scheme in bsed in the historic market town of Kingston.
The scheme comprises of 400 units of premium build-torent accommodation, 10,000 square foot of flexible office space, artisan retail, new public gyms and cycle pavilions.
This is a scheme with placemaking and public realm at its heart for one of the most prominent BTR owneroperators in the UK.
BY GARETH SMITHA series of diagrams extracted from the Design & Access Statement and accompanying the response document to the site briefing document. These diagrams were vital in working the key design constraints and downfalls of the brief with the council planners and urban design officers.
Overlay of NKDB public realm open space diagram and NKDB activity and edges plan
Identif ying short comings from the NKDB massing
NKDB Activity and edges plan NKDB Public realm open space diagram
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01. Overlay of NKDB public realm open space diagram 04. Identifying benefi ts of proposed approached
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• Opportunity to create feeling of space and introduce some greenery to Sopwith Way
• Busy, noisy traf c environment with a high percentage of residential in close proximity
• Any signicant massing adjacent to Sopwith Way over four storeys is likely to have signicant effects on daylight-sunlight on Regents Court
• Ground oor frontage onto Sopwith Way, would likely need to be defensivedif culty in creating active frontage
• Larger area of public realm (East-West pedestrian route) on northern side of massing will be shaded by taller elements to the south
• Queenshurst ramp and vehicle orientated area provides an inactivated edge to the north of the East-West pedestrian route
• The associated internal private open space of the indicative perimeter style massing will be overshadowed by the massing to the south
• Maximum height at twelve storeys not detailed on any technical assessment
58 JO COWEN ARCHITECTS |Design and Access Statement Kingsgate Road
02. Identifying short comings from the NKDB massing 05. Identifying relationships with adjacent buildings
Identif ying key changes from NKDB
03. Identifying key changes from NKDB
• Break in massing in the northern block running parallel to Queenshurst to allow for additional daylight-sunlight to pass through
• Massing prole ipped on Richmond Road frontage with reduction in height on the southern end opposite the former Regal Cinema, along the line of the view to the Guildhall
• Massing removed from Sopwith Way frontage and relocated to the centre of the site
• East-West pedestrian route shifted to the south side of the massing, strengthening the link to the public realm and improving the activation of the ground oor frontage
• Service area introduced to the north side of the proposal to correspond with the Queenshurst ramp to the north
• Modulated and varied heights prole across the site
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• View of Guildhall tower retained
• Potential to create a stronger architectural statement with greater variety in scale and articulation
Proposed
06. Proposed - Identifying robustness of increased height in the centre
• Tested in townscapes views, with taller element providing a more elegant architectural statement
• Respects heritage assets, with minimal effects on views from within the Old Town Conservation Area
• Wind and microclimate assessed, with no signicant adverse effects on
Metal balustrade
Horizontal band
Horizontal band
Fluted metal panel Bottom hung inward opening windows
Sliding doors Metal balustrade
Light brick Light brick
Metal balustrade
Metal balcony edge
Metal panel
Metal balcony edge Metal panel sof t Light brick Glazed door
Sliding door
Light brick
Client : Present Made (Apache Capital)
Year : 2020 - 2022
Stage : Bid - Stage 4
Landscaped and secure entry points into the scheme, to create a secure but inviting environmental for the residents. The cut model images below alos dispaly the varying massing and materials which were emplyed to break the massing up and to create individually legible blocks.
The secure landscaped courtyard services the residential entrance lobbies of Blocks A & B as well as the entrance into the ground floor car park area. This will be the main link to the Ridgeway and therefore be the main access point for residences choosing to cycle into Eddington, Girton, Cambridge and further afield. The entrance gates into the courtyard will house an access control reader for residents and a video intercom for visitors.
The secure landscaped entrance courtyard is located between Blocks C & D an serves are the main entrance point for Block C. The entrance gates into the courtyard will house an access control reader for residents and a video intercom for visitors.
Type B (3B5P) - Front View
Type B (3B5P)- RearView
Type C (4B7P)- Front View
Type C (4B7P)- Rear View
tallest buildings within the proposed eastern corner of the site and range to modify the Arsenal Way junction, of additional benefits to the allows the form and massing of re-articulated with shorter, well proportioned provides the opportunity to increase the and 4 from the consented 9.55m to separation.
respond directly to the design strategy Arsenal Masterplan with building 4 ‘marker’ on the periphery of the Both buildings also step in rhythm and scale of the Canon Square buildings have been given careful stepping in height allowing longer views articulated, again mitigating against the slab consented scheme. The buildings direct access to the communal centre of the scheme and have also been logical servicing strategy at street level. designed in accordance with the strategy of the existing Elizabeth Line massing and form does not impede the the station.
BY GARETH SMITH
The following projects are the current and live projects which I oversee and manage as Design & Technical Director at ME Deveopments. Below are a list of my responsibilities and day to day duties and tasks:
• Overseeing all aspects of the design and technical of both, internal (interior design & visualisations) and external design teams, including current and prospective projects from inception through to delivery on site.
• Coordination and management of all design and technical staff and information to ensure the successful construction of works on site. Ensuring the consults design information meets current legislation, standards and codes of practice together with local and statutory authorities’ requirements.
• Formalise the management of the design process and all design team activities to bring about the successful completion and delivery of specific project goals and objectives.
• Producing and monitoring the design programme. Reviewing ongoing impacts of programme changes with commercial and construction teams.
• Encouraging and inspiring design consultants to produce work as per or above company expectations, using their experience, resources and talent cost-effectively.
• Setting up management and QA protocols and systems, such as change management, roles and responsibility matrix and drawing issuing protocols.
BY GARETH SMITH01.
Year : 2022 - Current Stage : 3 - 5 Value : £30 Million GDV
A high-quality scheme of 13 luxury apartments in North London. 2-3 storeys in scale, across 3 blocks which a large basement for the resident’s facilities and car parking. RC Frame construction methodology with a secant piled, fully waterproofed basement with a landscaped podium deck above. A constrained site “L” shape site, surrounded by neighbours resulting in a challenging partywall process.
I am responsible for overseeing of the design of the luxury interiors within the in-house interior design team and ensuring successful coordination with the appointed project architects and engineers.
BYA 50 apartment RC frame scheme split into two separate blocks and tenures while spanning 6-7 storeys in height. The northern block will be for sale apartments and incorporates approx. 450sqm of commercial space at gorund and first floor levels, The southern block will passed onto a well known housing association to run operate.
Year : 2022 - Current
Stage : 4 - 5 Value : £35 Million GDV
A flagship project for ME developments, five stately residences on 30 acres of private grounds and mature landscaping, with home ranging from 7,000 to 9,000 square foot.
Overseeing the interior design team with the selection of luxury and bespoke materials and designs to ensuring the internal spaces exceed high expectations while monitoring the budgets.
Each home is unique and the exterior architectural is based on the Arts & Crafts style, however the interiors have taken a more modern spin but keeping each home unique and bespoke. The images presented are of the various external visuals are produced in-house and which I manage with the Design & Technical Team.
The images on the previous page are screen shots taken from the Unreal model. We are using this technology for both internal design reviews as well to form the backbone of the marketing strategy. By modelling the entire home and estate, give us flexibility to "fly" through the estate and will be critical for selection of final design and materials with the final home owners.
BY GARETH SMITHYear : 2022 - Current Stage : 4 - 5 Value : £35 Million GDV
A development of 25 homes on an existing agricultural land farm building, split up into 4 separate phases.
Large utility, services and SUDS drainage upgrades are needed to support the scheme and ensuring that the development of the masterplan and utilities are explored and coordinated in parallel.
BY GARETH SMITH
• Widening the path to make it more significant and provide locations for occasional, fixed seating;
Year : 2022 - Current Stage : 3 Value : £30 Million GDV
• Making the most of the significant position of the site as transition between town and countryside and at the confluence of pedestrian routes north-south and east-west by providing a fingerpost sign in a focal position, perhaps itself an arts commission to reflect the history and traditions of the river, sitting close to the entrance from Bridge Street;
The project forms phase 1 of Leatherhead’s Redevelopment and is a joint venture between ME Developments and Mole Valley Council.
• Providing an external electricity supply would be helpful for outdoor events;
The scheme is a redevelopment of the existing council offices and it consists of 35 units with community facilities and a cafe at ground floor which overlooks and interfaces with River Mole and the associated public realm improvements.
• Large amounts of infrastructure are not required but quality should carry through from street furniture to surfaces;
• The incorporation of a seating area along the frontage of the community space/café which will act as a transitional zone between the interior of the restaurant and the public space.
Care should be taken to avoid cluttered and fussy design. Significant areas of amenity grassland would be easier to maintain and lends itself to flexible and informal uses, with more natural
The proposals for the Riverside Park
The site is located to the southwest of Leatherhead town centre and is bound to the southeast by Bridge Street, Guildford Road to the south and Emlyn Lane, to the south and west. The site sits on the north bank of the River Mole and benefits from a south-facing
The site comprises James House, a three storey 1980s office building and the adjoining Claire House, a four storey 1970s office building. Whilst the properties are connected, as the walls of the buildings directly adjoin each other, both buildings have separate entrances. Bridge Street pay and display car park sits to the east of Claire House. A series of mature trees and soft landscaping border the site’s southern boundary with the River Mole and Guildford Road/Leatherhead Bridge beyond.
BY GARETH SMITH• Led and oversaw multiple end user projects from inception to completion, all projects are located in the Fulham and Chelsea areas.
• The project were complete “back to brick” interiors focused redevelopments of the existing home, with the majority of the projects extending the internal area through the addition of rear and loft extension and generally a full basement extension.
• Roles and responsibilities included client facing and liaison, project management, contract administration, full interior design, material selection and coordination to ensure the delivery of high quality, exceptional modern family homes.
• Design of bespoke joinery, internal features and staircases. An example is - the integration of air conditioning, lighting, wine coolers and bar facilities with folding and sliding pocket doors into a single veneer clad joinery element.
BY GARETH SMITHThe project involved the full demolition and rebuild of the existing property. This included rationalising the floorplates to improve the layout and functionality of the mews house. Better proportions in rooms were achieved that allowed us to create a range of spaces from entertaining to more private and intimate spaces. A full rebuild allowed us to improve ceiling heights, a much-coveted feature for a mews house.
Year : 2020 Stage : 1- 6
The project is a fully refurbished and remodelled mews house in Kensington. The spatial organisation of this property was fully reconfigured to include a central staircase, allowing ciculation improved ciculation around the entire home. A facade retention scheme which sat in the corner of the mews made of logistically challenging project, surrounded by neighbours and limited height access through the entrance archway.
Client : Private Client Year : 2019 - 2021 Stage : 2- 6
The project is a fully refurbished and remodelled mews house in Kensington. The spatial organisation of this property was fully reconfigured to include a central staircase, allowing ciculation improved ciculation around the entire home. A facade retention scheme which sat in the corner of the mews made of logistically challenging project, surrounded by neighbours and limited height access through the entrance archway.
The central staircase, fully clad in oak, acts as the focal point of the design; the spaces created contain fully concealed storage for coats, bespoke joinery such as a built in bar, and a guest washroom. Carefully attention was given to the detailings of the fully bespoke stair (with ingerated LED lighting in the oak topped steel handrail) establihes a crisp and refined feel to the house as soon as one walks through the door.
