Project Examples
Martin Bignell
Martin Bignell - CV
About
I enjoy spending time in nature and often draw inspiration from the feelings I find there. Nature is part of me, I am shaped by childhood days spent playing in the mud and constructing forms with basic timber poles and twine during my time as a Scout. Sustainability is at the core of my ethos, and I believe in architectural philosophies such as ephemerality and cradle-tocradle design. During my studies at the University of Plymouth, I cultivated a passion for earthen architecture and natural building practices that continues to shape my academic and professional journey. With a strong work ethic and a wealth of team-working experience gained through diverse projects in both university and professional settings, I am confident in my collaboration and organisation skills. Eager to constantly advance my knowledge of the industry, I am currently enrolled at the University of the West of England as an architectural apprentice.
mbarchitecture4@gmail.com
Education
2022 - Present
MArch Level 7 Architecture Apprenticeship
University of The West of England (UWE)
2018 - 2021
BA(Hons) Architecture
University of Plymouth
2015 - 2018
A-Levels, Extended Project Qualification, AS Levels
Colyton Grammar School
2011 - 2015
GCSEs
Colyton Grammar School
Relevant Experience
2022 - Present
Level 7 Architectural Apprentice
BoonBrown
2021
Cob and Stone Construction and Repair
Kevin McCabe Cob Building Specialist
Work Experience
NDM Architects
Work Experience BoonBrown Software
Gatehouse, Cuckoo Hill, Bruton
Introduction
Client: Strongvox Homes Ltd
Project Scope: Full planning application for 49 dwellings
Form of Appointment: Letter of Appointment
Procurement Route: Contractor/Developer Lead
Current Work Stage: Stage 02 - Concept Design and Stage 03Spatial Coordination
Brief
I lead this project and with the assistance of another Architectural Assistant we prepared drawings and a planning application for 49 dwellings. I continually amended and added to the site layout when instructed by either the client or the overseeing project director. This involved: switching out house types for different developer designed house types, handing properties as the Civil Engineer said it would be beneficial to have the side door on the higher level of each dwelling on this steep sloping site and making changes based on communication with the Landscape Architects. After producing the site layout and plot drawings for all the houses I created a Design and Access Statement to accompany the drawings in the planning application.
However, within this document I will focus on my first task was to create a ‘gatehouse’ style house type. One of these would be situated at the entrance to the development to help portray the country park aesthetic of the scheme. I will also attach the Design and Access Statement within the same email which addresses site-wide design justification.
Design Process/Justification
After researching precedents of Gatehouses, I iterated several designs both via sketching and using AutoCAD. As the plot was on a visible and dominant part of the site all elevations needed to be carefully considered and the floor plan needed to meet the employer’s requirements for space/area.
From the precedents I had an initial vision for an elevational form consisting of three main gables, I worked within the constraints of the external walls to create an internal layout that was successful. The ground floor contains a generous kitchen and utility with outside access which means accessing the house from the parking spaces is more convenient for the occupiers. Whilst visitors will be guided to towards the stone porch on the Front Elevation. The living space was a large yet private space with double doors opening onto the garden.
The staircase is situated centrally to limit the landing space require. Allowing 4 bedrooms and a bathroom to radiate around. Bedrooms 3 and 4 make use south facing windows to benefit from the countryside views and sunlight (Figure 1).
The Gatehouse will act as a focal point to the site inviting people in and setting the trend of traditional style houses across the site. A stone chimney is situated on the dominant North Elevation increasing the focus on the gatehouse (Figure 2).
Client Feedback
Although the client liked the character of the chimney on the proposed Gatehouse design, they were concerned about the cost of constructing this. I proposed a bay window on side elevation that would be seen from the street which adds a traditional character and acts as a focal point for that elevation much like the chimney.
The client also asked for a desk/home office to been shown on the plan. I suggested an orangery ‘extension’ be added to the living space. This could be viewed as if the ‘original’ gatehouse has been extended. The client approved of this idea, so I developed it further (Figure 3).
Finally, to save cost the client suggested that the gable on the Rear Elevation was to be removed, and dormer windows would be introduced. Although I suggested that the Gatehouse would lose its symmetry and the elevation from the view of the main road would not be as strong, the client deemed the cost saving benefits to be worth more (Figure 4).
Pennwood Grange, Development
Introduction
Client: Bellway Homes Ltd
Project Scope: Residential Development of 259 units consisting of 2,3 and 4 bedroom houses, and 1 and 2 bedroom apartments
Form of Appointment: Letter of Appointment
Procurement Route: Contractor/Developer Lead
Design Team:Architect (Project Director),Architectural Technician (Project Manager), Architectural Technician, Architectural Assistant and Apprentice Technician
Consultants: Structural Engineer, Civil Engineer, Landscape Architect, SAP Assessor, Party Wall Surveyor, Utilities Consultant and Arborist
Current Work Stage: Stage 04 - Technical Design
Brief
I along with the project manager prepared the working drawings for 24 house types and 3 apartment blocks for Phase 1 of this development.The following pages showcase examples of drawings which are currently being worked on for the Horsenden house type. Each house type pack contains a Substructure Layout, GA’s for each floor, M&E layouts for each floor, Sections, Elevations, Roof Plans and Door, Window and Lintel Schedules.
This project has involved communicating with consultants for example currently we are review the house types along with the SAP assessor to ensure each house type will not overheat and will meet the standards set out by building regulations.
One challenge with this project was that some of the plots were going to be made using flint blocks however a planning condition has been set in place that means that all the plots finished with flint need to be constructed with individual flint stones. This means the wall will be thicker than if flint blocks were to be used and therefore the substructure needed to accommodate this.
Barn at The Old Manor
Introduction
Client: Private
Project Scope: Redundant barn to ancillary residential accommodation (later becoming home office/games space)
Form of Appointment: Fee Proposal Letter, appointed for architectural and town planning services to prepare, submit and manage planning application.
Consultants: Topographic Surveyor, Ecologist and Structural Engineer
Work Stage 01 - Preparation and Briefing and Stage 02 - Concept Design
Brief
Firstly, I visited site and with a colleague I documented the client’s requirements and conducted a measured building survey which I would later draw up using AutoCAD (Figures 5 and 6).
The client said they wanted the barn renovated to become ancillary accommodation with a bathroom space as well as a living area and space to cook and eat.
As the barn was listed by association it was important that we maintained the character of the building where possible. One consistent constraint across all my design proposals, was the presence of internal roof supports. Regardless of the listed status, I felt these added a unique and distinctive atmosphere to the interior space, which was a quality, I was keen to preserve.
I emailed surveyors to obtain quotations for a topographic survey that would inform our design process and be the base of an accurate site plan. Collaboratively, with the project Architect, we sought the client’s preferences before confirming our selection of the surveyor.
5 Figure 6
Figure
Figure 7 Figure 8
Design Process/Justification
I consulted a structural engineer with initial concepts which introduced new openings within the existing barn structure, addressing ground floor structure adjustments due to head height limitations, and considering the implications of adding additional weight to the roof. At this stage of the project the Structural Engineer was not concerned by my proposals.
I then developed several proposals, each exploring different room configurations and spatial arrangements as well as varying openings. Each of the concepts proposed an upgrade to the wall on the West Elevation as well as the introduction of sustainable materiality including timber frame doors and windows. In order to reduce reliance on artificial heating and lighting the concepts also introduced a roof lights.
I arranged a meeting to discuss the design proposals with the client to better understand their requirements and highlight which elements they preferred on each of the concept designs (Figures 7-10)
Client Feedback
After meeting with the client, the brief was adjusted so the proposal would not include any sleeping provisions this was after discussing and educating the client on the issue Somerset is currently experiencing with phosphate pollution and the subsequent impact that it is have on planning approval for not just dwellings but all projects with overnight accommodation. With the option of a specialist phosphates solution that would come at an additional cost and that is not guaranteed to be accepted by the local authority, the client requested the barn become a home office/games space instead.
The client expressed an interest for the large contemporary style window shown in Concept 4 (Figure 10). However, they were concerned by the potential cost. Therefore, I suggested a similar contemporary window that did not extend onto the roof and that we substituted this with additional conservation roof lights.
The client liked the use of natural materials such as timber framed windows and also wanted a photovoltaic panel array. They had been in touch with a provider. After speaking to the PV supplier myself they produced an indicative layout which I included in the final design (Figure 11).
Figure 11
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/martinbignell-77aa28224
Email: mbarchitecture4@gmail.com
Online Portfolio: https://issuu.com/martinbignell