SIMON MACDONALD
ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN PORTFOLIO WORK SAMPLES 2017 - PRESENT
QUALIFICATIONS
Registered Architect: 800801
Master of Architecture (First Class Honors 6.5) QUT
Bachelor of Design (Architectural Studies) QUT
PREFACE
Simon is a registered architect with over ten years’ industry experience across multiple sectors. With an extensive background in education, Simon has worked on several high-profile, award-winning educational projects across the eastern seaboard. His experience and exposure across multiple phases of project delivery make him a well-rounded and sharpened design professional.
A strong interest in design rigour, exploration and problem solving enables Simon the ability to dissect, interrogate and understand client requirements; whilst delivering tangible design-led solutions within a strategic design framework.
Concerned with how architecture integrates with the locale, culture and urban fabric; Simon sees design as a vehicle for change; delving into the unique contextual issues associated with each project - whilst giving the opportunity to improve the daily lives of the end-user.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Independant Works
Tolima House - Colombia
Gray Puksand Architects
Project Architect June 2023 - Present
Architectural Designer October 2018 - June 2023
Architectural Graduate May 2017 - October 2018
PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Victorian Health Building Authority
Ambulance Victoria Beechworth Branch
Golden Age
69 Carington Road
Victorian School Building Authority
Greater Shepparton College Education Precinct
Sale College Education Precinct
Hamilton Parklands Special Development School
Footscray North Primary School
Kyneton Primary School
ACT Government Education Directorate
ACT Educational Business Case Studies
Throsby P-6 Primary School
TAFE NSW
TAFE Meadowbank Education Precinct
HASSELL Studio
Student of Architecture January 2016 — December 2016
PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Queensland Treasury / Australian Unity
Herston Quarter Redevelopment Bid
Australian Unity
Specialist Rehabilitation & Ambulatory and Care Centre
Sekisui House/ Westin Hotels and Resorts
Yaroomba Beach Master plan
Architectus Brisbane
Architectural Student March 2015 - December 2015
PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Queensland Department of Transport
Queen Street Bus Station Refurbishment
Cbus Property
443 Queen Street
Exemplar Health/Lend Lease
Sunshine Coast University Hospital
Queensland Rail
Queensland Rail Management Centre
CONTACT DETAILS
0430069795
s.macdonald1@outlook.com
REFERENCES
Available on request
Work Samples
01 Greater Shepparton College, VIC
02 TAFE Meadowbank, NSW
03 Kyneton Education
06 69 Carrington Road, VIC
05 Educational Business Case Studies, ACT
Education Precinct, VIC 04 Hamilton Parklands SDS, VIC
07 AV Beechworth Branch, VIC
07 Tolima House, Colombia
GREATER SHEPPARTON COLLEGE
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The regional development is the result of an amalgamation of four secondary schools built on the current Shepparton High School site. Catering for 2,700 students, the precinct provides 24,034sqm GFA across six buildings. The pedagogical response was a “schools within schools” (SWIS) model; realising a complex program comprising of informal and formal teaching spaces, STEAM facilities; with performing arts, wellness, and gymnasium centre designed for after-hours community use.
STATISTICS
Employer: Gray Puksand
Location: 31-71 Hawdon Street, Shepparton,Victoria 3630
Project Cost: $124,000,000
GFA: 24,034sqm
Building Type: Educational
PDC Team Size: 8
Contract: Novation/Design & Construct
Client: Victorian School Building Authority
Project Years: 2018 - 2022
Awards:
• 2022 (Finalist) World Architecture Festival: Completed Buildings: School
• 2022 (Winner) Finalist VSBA Best Secondary School
House and Neighbourhood settings nestled within the central agora landscape.
PROJECT INVOLVEMENT
MASTERPLANNING
• Conducted detailed site analysis reviewing local planning parameters.
• Identification of opportunities and constraints informing the overall master plan.
• Documentation of dilapidation reports for existing buildings retained on site.
• Involvement in producing the milestone reports and presentations.
CONCEPT DESIGN
• Preparation of presentations for stakeholder workshops.
• Interrogation of VSBA/BQSH brief and area entitlements.
• Influence on functional planning with synthetization of staff/client requirements and area entitlements.
• Influence on architectural concepts, external facade elements and master plan/building siting with partner in charge.
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
• Influence on development of modularization of facade and shading elements.
• Iterative design of functional planning of the Enterprise Building.
• Implementation of building regulations and NCC requirements - cross project.
• Consultant coordination and integration - cross project.
• Material review and analysis.
• Influence and coordination on interior, graphic and landscape design direction.
TENDER DOCUMENTATION/NOVATION
• Preparation of traditional documentation packages cross project – before novation.
• Document detailing of external precast panels, windows, shrouds and facade elements.
• Detail and documentation of room data sheets for specialist areas.
• Investigation and documentation of building materials.
• Directing and coordinating the production of a marketing animation with an external media consultant.
CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION (LIMITED)
• Review and redocumentation of precast panels.
• Analysis and responded to limited RFI’s surrounding design direction items.
• Review and redocumentation of window shroud details.
Informal learning spaces within the Enterprise Building.
Bleacher/Informal learning spaces within the Neighbourhood Building.
Collaboration learning spaces within the Neighbourhood Building.
Materiality and play with light and shadow.
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GENERAL LEARNING
•
•
AUDITORIUM
• TIERED SEATING
• LIGHTING/SOUND CONTROL
SPECIALIST LEARNING
• 2D & 3D ART STUDIOS
• KILN & CERAMICS
• ART THEORY STUDIOS
AUDITORIUM
PERFORMING ARTS
• TIERED SEATING
• GREEN SCREEN STUDIO
• LARGE GROUP GATHERING
• SET AND STAGE DESIGN STORE
SERVICE CORE
STUDENT & STAFF AMENITIES
• FIRE INGRESS
• SERVICES INFRASTRUCTURE
ADMINISTRATION
SENIOR STAFF PERSONNEL
• CONFERENCE ROOMS
• MEETING/INTERVIEW ROOMS
• FOYER & RECEPTION
• FIRST AID
COLLABORATION SPACES
• QUIET STUDY ZONES
STAFF WORKSPACE
• INFORMAL LEARNING SPACES
OUTDOOR SKY TERRACE
SPECIALIST LEARNING
• MUSIC, DRAMA & TEXTILES
• TEXTILE STUDIOS DANCE AND MOVEMENT STUDIOS
• MUSIC RECORDING STUDIOS
GENERAL LEARNING
GENERAL LEARNING
• COLLABORATION ZONES
• QUIET STUDY ZONES
SPECIALIST LEARNING
• VCAL
• FOOD TECHNOLOGY & CANTEEN
• FOOD PREPARATION & STORE
• DEMONSTRATION/DINING AREAS
• COLLABORATION LEARNING ZONES
SPECIALIST LEARNING
• MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY
METAL/WOOD WORKSHOPS
• DIGITAL DESIGN & ROBOTICS
• WELDING BAYS & FABRICATION YARDS INFORMAL LEARNING SPACES
TAFE MEADOWBANK
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Multi-Trades & Technology Hub is a specialist education and trades facility completing the educational precinct at TAFE Meadowbank. Gray Puksand was engaged as Principal Design Consultant to oversee and deliver the revitalised precinct master plan and new training facility.
At 14,065sqm, the building is comprised of two levels of basement parking, EOT facilities with six levels of student, educational, and industry spaces designed for teaching digital technology, construction and building trades. The built fabric allows a variety of dynamic teaching and learning opportunities to be on display for the campus cohort and larger populace.
STATISTICS
Location: See Street, Meadowbank, NSW 2114
Project Cost: $154,000,000
GFA: 14,065sqm
Building Type: Educational
PDC Team Size: 10
Contract: Novation/Design & Construct
Client: NSW Government
Years: 2019 - 2022
Awards:
• 2023 (Finalist) World Architecture Festival: Completed Buildings: School
• 2023 (Finalist) NSW AIA Awards Educational Architecture Category
Tafe Meadowbank entry forecourt viewed from See Street.
PROJECT INVOLVEMENT
MASTERPLANNING
• Analysis and interrogation of previous feasibility studies in conjunction with project brief.
• Conducted detailed site analysis reviewing local planning parameters.
• Identification of opportunities and constraints informing overall master plan.
• Participation in stakeholder/consultant workshops, presentations and site visits.
CONCEPT DESIGN
• Influence and management on overall architectural concept, building form and overall campus master plan design with partner in charge.
• Influence on high-level program in accordance to desired outcomes and project brief.
• Analysis and incorporation of increased scope against building/planning constraints with an additional 3500sqm added within new build.
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
• Iteration and development on building envelope, materiality and modularity of facade elements.
• Review and progression with modularized window portals, external ceiling and roof fascia profile.
• Iterative progression and development of functional planning and car park design.
• Consultant coordination cross project; integration of relevant NCC and legislative requirements.
• Material research, review and analysis.
• Influence on “Internal Street” and landscape design direction.
TENDER DOCUMENTATION
• Preparation of traditional documentation packages cross project.
• Document detailing of external facade elements, roof fascia and elevations.
• Investigation and documentation of building materials.
• Directing and coordinating the production of a marketing animation with an external media consultant.
Double height carpentry workshop within MTH Building.
Secondary pedestrian & carpark entry from Rhodes Street.
‘Internal Street’ within MTH, viewed from fourth floor main entry.
LEVEL SIX | NTS
LEVEL FIVE | NTS
LEVEL FOUR | NTS
LEVEL THREE | NTS
LEVEL TWO | NTS
LEGEND
LEVEL ONE | NTS Amenities
Circulation
KYNETON EDUCATION PRECINCT
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Kyneton Educational Precinct comprises a new primary school with the refurbishment of existing buildings and a new trades building for the secondary school. Kyneton Primary is built for a population of 350 students, composed of three new buildings at 3185sqm located on a greenfield site.
Kyneton Secondary consists of upgrades and refurbishment of 1930’s heritage building, with the new specialist trades hub (2167sqm) catering for engineering, robotics, welding, and construction.
STATISTICS
Employer: Gray Puksand
Location: Kyneton, Victoria
Project Cost: $24,000,000 (Combined)
GFA: 5,352sqm
Building Type: Educational PDC Size: 6 (Combined)
Contract: Traditional Lump Sum
Client: Victorian School
Building Authority
Project Years: 2014 - 2018
Awards:
• 2018 (Finalist) VSBA Best Primary School
• 2018 (Winner) New Educational FacilityAssociation for Learning Environments
Northern Learning Community of Kyneton Primary School nestled within the
Specialist and Leadership Building of Kyneton Primary School viewed from central court space.
PROJECT INVOLVEMENT
CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION
• Participation in site inspections and meetings.
• Review and responded to RFI’s, providing prompt responses to the contractor and project manager.
• Review and responded to variations, ensuring additional variation/credits were fair and reasonable with refined scope.
• Participated in value management/scope reduction (KSC) exercises. Caused by documentation errors impacting budget contingencies and total construction cost.
• Re-documentation of reduced scope (where required) due to above.
• Executed building defects reports for contractor at practical completion.
HAMILTON SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT SCHOOL
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Hamilton Parklands Special Development School (SDS) is a special needs educational facility situated in rural Victoria catering for learning and development for the disabled and students on the spectrum. Gray Puksand was engaged as Principal Design Consultant to oversee and deliver a much-needed revitalized master plan and new school for the district, over a staged construction.
The design solution comprises a single-storey building with administrative and community spaces with generalist and specialist learning. Unlike the current site; the new build provides a “school under the one roof”; nestled in various outdoor learning and landscape settings.
STATISTICS
Employer: Gray Puksand
Location: Hamilton
Project Cost: $13,000,000
GFA: 1338sqm
Building Type: Educational
PDC Size: 4
Contract: Traditional Lump Sum
Client: Victorian School
Building Authority
Project Years: 2021-present
Southern wing of the new building viewed from outdoor informal learning spaces.
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MASTERPLANNING
• Identification of opportunities and constraints informing the overall master plan.
• Analysis of existing conditions and staging strategies.
• Detailed site massing and positioning studies.
• Iterative investigation of client brief requirements, with amalgamation of area entitlements.
• Participation in stakeholder/consultant workshops, presentations and site visits.
CONCEPT DESIGN
• Preparation of presentations for stakeholder workshops.
• Influence on functional planning with synthetization of staff requirements and area entitlements.
• Participation in end-user workshops, iterative interrogation into functional planning.
• Influence on architectural concepts and materiality.
• Executing administrative tasks: preparing subconsultancy agreements, meeting minutes and report writing.
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
• Influence in iterative progression and development of functional planning.
• Iteration and development of architectural concepts, materiality and detailing.
• Participated in consultant meetings to solidify scope, coordination issues and documentation management.
• Participation and analysis on cost plan reviews with project architect and quantity surveyor.
• Consultant coordination cross project; integration of relevant NCC and legislative requirements.
• Participation within 'Safety in Design' workshops.
TENDER DOCUMENTATION
• Preparation and management of traditional documentation packages cross project.
• Consultant coordination cross project; integration of relevant NCC and legislative requirements.
• Document detailing of external facade components, plan and wall section details.
• Analysis and participation cost plan reviews with project architect and quantity surveyor.
• Investigation and documentation of building materials.
TENDERERING
• Participated in tenderer site inspection/scope presentation with prospective tenderers.
• Reviewed and responded to addendums and posttender clarifications.
• Analysis and response to tender evaluations against VSBA criterion with stakeholder input to determine a preferred builder.
CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION
• Participation in site inspections and meetings.
• Review and responded to RFI’s, providing provide prompt responses to the contractor.
• Review and responded to variations, ensuring additional variation/credits were fair and reasonable with refined scope.
Typical general learning spaces.
Retreat zones and spaces.
Staff lounge within administration wing.
ACT Australian Business Case Studies
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
ACT Educational Business Studies is a three-year partnership with KPMG to prepare a series of detailed master plans to support business cases on development of new and existing schools within Canberra.
Through extensive stakeholder engagement, a series of site investigations, case studies, and client brief analysis has resulted in eleven detailed case studies with high-level functional planning in accordance with the brief. At present, our work with KPMG and the Directorate has led to the development of four new school and expansion projects.
STATISTICS
Employer: Gray Puksand
Location: Various
Project Cost: $20m - $150m
GFA: Various
Building Type: Educational
PROJECT INVOLVEMENT
MASTERPLANNING & FEASIBILITY STUDIES
• 21 detailed site investigations for new building work, refurbishments or extensions.
• Analysis and interrogation of Directorate's brief for Early Childhood Education Centres, P-6 primary, 7-10 High and 11-12 Colleges.
• Management and execution of feasibility studies on proposed area entitlements, siting options, constraints.
• Participation in stakeholder/consultant workshops, presentations and site visits.
CONCEPT AND DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
• Outcomes from above resulted in direct engagement for additional architectural services to produce a scheme for a design and construct contractor to price the works.
• Detailed development of concept design and documentation of 200 place school expansion.
• Analysis and iterative review of staging/ decanting, functional planning and overall design.
• Detailed development of modular construction methodologies.
• Coordination and integration of relevant building regulations and consultant coordination.
• Preparation and management of documentation package to design and construct standards.
Concept design for Gold Creek Senior School: 200 FTE student Gold Creek Senior School Expansion Studies.
expansion with selected renovation works.
Amaroo Primary School Expansion Studies. East Gungahlin New Primary School Studies.
LEGEND
A_Building Mass 01: 1001sqm
B_Building Mass 02: 785sqm
C_Building Mass 03: 1001sqm
D_Building Mass 04: 5302sqm
E_Building Mass 05: 2479sqm
TOTAL 9568sqm
PROPOSED MASTER PLAN - AREA ENTITLEMENT | NTS
PROPOSED MASTER PLAN OPTION: MASSING | NTS
LEGEND
A_Building Mass 01: 1360sqm
B_Building Mass 02: 809sqm
C_Building Mass 03: 1001sqm
D_Building Mass 04: 3951sqm
E_Building Mass 05: 2447sqm
TOTAL 9568sqm
PROPOSED MASTER PLAN - AREA ENTITLEMENT | NTS
PROPOSED MASTER PLAN OPTION: MASSING | NTS
Carrington Road, Box Hill
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
69 Carrington Road is development situated in the heart of Box Hill’s commercial and shopping district. Intended for mixed-use/strata office – the project spans across 14 storeys and 2 basement carpark levels with an NLA of 7,684sqm.
The architectural expression for the project is governed by overshadowing, town planning constraints with the chamfered tower form providing urban green terraces to offices with commanding views to the Melbourne CBD skyline.
STATISTICS
Employer: Gray Puksand
Location: Box Hill, Melbourne
Project Cost: Withheld
GFA: 12,978sqm (7,684sqm NLA)
Building Type: Commercial/Mixed Use
PDC Team Size: 3
Contract:
Novation/Design & Construct
Client: Golden Age
Project Years: 2023 – present
Aerial perspective view perspective from Box Hill Shopping
Main building street frontage perspective from Cambridge Road.
PROJECT INVOLVEMENT
CONCEPT DESIGN
• Influence and iteration of proposed concept design for project (with led partner); in line with client brief and local town planning requirements.
• Partook in regular progress update meetings with client and subconsultant coordination meetings.
• Liaison and coordination with town planning subconsultant on massing and shadow studies for support on scheme.
• Led and directed external rendering consultant on the preparation of renders, for submission.
• Partook in the preparation of concept design drawing packages, schedules and documentation for client signoff and approval.
• Preparation and issuance of milestone reports for key stakeholders for signoff and approval.
TOWN PLANNING
• Preparation of town planning drawing packages, schedules, documentation and reports for submission.
• Reviewed, interrogated and implemented amendments to design following initial rejection from local council whilst maintaining design and brief requirements.
• Partook in town planning meetings on design concept for review and eventual approval.
MARKETING
• Preparation of marketing plans in accordance to client brief requirements for market.
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
• Contributed to continued design development and refinement of external façade documentation packages.
• Review and interrogation of proposed external materials with subsequent scheduling and documentation.
• Partook in subconsultant’s meetings with continued refinement, integration and implementation of services documentation within the architectural package.
• Partook in regular client meetings providing progress updates on deliverables.
Main building street frontage perspective from Carrington Road.
AMBULANCE VICTORIA BEECHWORTH BRANCH
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Ambulance Victoria’s (AV) Beechworth Branch is an ambulance station located within regional Victoria. Situated within a leafy, low density residential streetscape – the proposed two storey 530sqm facility is to replace the existing aging ambulance branch: complete with a new 3 bay vehicle garage, training centre with rest and living quarters for 24 hour use and operations.
STATISTICS
Employer: Gray Puksand
Location: Beechworth, Victoria
Project Cost: $6,000,000 (TCC)
GFA: 513sqm
Building Type: Health/Emergency Services
PDC Team Size: 1.5
Contract: Traditional Lump Sum
Client: Victorian Health Building Authority
Project Years: 2024 – present
CONCEPT SKETCHES
AV Beechworth Branch perspective viewed from Frederick & Finch Streets.
main ground floor living quarters perspective.
Proposed ground floor training centre perspective.
Proposed
TESTFIT OPTIONS
• Review, interrogation and analysis of previously engaged architects test-fit scheme in accordance with Ambulance Victoria’s (AV) branch guidelines, building code non-conformance and building siting.
• Detailed site analysis and building masterplanning options for client.
• Prepared and led fortnightly stakeholder meetings on deliverables above.
• Preparation and issuance of test-fit milestone report for key stakeholders for signoff and approval.
CONCEPT DESIGN
• Development of approved test-fit massing option in accordance with AV guidelines and local town planning regulations and constraints.
• Led regular meetings with services consultants on scope requirements; early integration and coordination of consultant’s documentation within the architectural package.
• Partook in the review and interrogation of quantity surveyor’s cost plan assumptions and client budget constraints.
• Integration and development of functional planning and architectural envelope in accordance with AV guidelines and local planning regulations.
• Prepared and led fortnightly stakeholder meetings on progress updates and deliverables
• Led ‘Safety in Design’ milestone meetings with relevant stakeholders and consultants.
• Preparation and issuance of milestone reports for key stakeholders for signoff and approval.
TOWN PLANNING
• Preparation of town planning drawing packages, schedules and documentation for submission.
• Partook in pre-app and town planning meetings on design concept for signoff and approval.
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT & CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION
• Continued development and refinement of concept design package to construction documentation standard in line with client brief and building code regulations.
• Continued refinement, integration and implementation of services consultants within the architectural documentation package.
• Prepared and led fortnightly stakeholder meetings on progress updates and deliverables.
• Partook in the review and interrogation of quantity surveyor’s cost plan assumptions and client budget constraints.
• Interrogation on base scheme and potential tender options for project.
• Led ‘Safety in Design’ milestone meetings with relevant stakeholders and consultants.
• Preparation and issuance of milestone reports for key stakeholders for signoff and approval.
• Preparation of complied architectural and services drawings packages, schedules and specifications for tender issue.
TENDER
• Partook in pre-tender site inspection with prospective tenders and project manager.
• Prepared and partook in presentation to prospective tenderers on architectural scope, requirements and benchmarking for project.
• Responded promptly to tender queries through project manager.
• Partook in preparation in building permit documentation for approval by building surveyor.
TOLIMA HOUSE
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Located four hours outside of Bogota, Colombia - Tolima House is a two-storey detached dwelling located on a challenging site overlooking the Colombian Andes Mountains.
The brief for the project was to create a 312sqm five-bedroom multi-generational dwelling which harnesses the prevailing landscape with a strong connection to the outdoor environment; whilst providing privacy within the required private zones of the dwelling.
At the time of publishing this portfolio, concept design phase is fifty-five percent complete within a schematic design program of four weeks.
STATISTICS
Employer: Independent project
Location: Honda, Tolima (Colombia)
Project Cost: $225,000 USD
GFA: 312sqm
Building Type: Residential
Contract: Joint Venture (Architectural Services)
Traditional Lump Sum Contract
Client: Withheld
Project Years: 2024 – present
Proposed architectural and landscape expression of level one portal frame.
PROJECT INVOLVEMENT
PARTIAL
ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES & JOINT
VENTURE
• Architectural services are governed by a joint venture contract with a local Colombian Architect. Extent of professional services was to obtain and provide a return brief, to concept design services which is in line with client’s requirements and budget. Professional services after local town planning approval will be on a consulting basis with emphasis on brief, budget and design/construction detail outcomes.
ENGAGEMENT MASTERPLANNING & RETURN BRIEF
• Led discussions with client on scope of professional architectural services.
• Led discussions with client on their budget, spatial and aesthetic requirements.
• Partook in discussions with locally engaged architect on town planning, building regulation and services consultant idiosyncrasies – to inform client on required ancillary services.
• Discussions with local architect and client on high-level estimated local labor and materials cost (per sqm) for project feasibility.
• Preparation and delivery of return brief documents for client review and approval.
• Detailed site analysis and building masterplanning options for client review, signoff and approval.
CONCEPT DESIGN
• Development of approved massing option in accordance with return brief, town planning regulations and constraints.
• Development of functional planning and architectural envelope.
• Led discussions with client on required processes and ancillary engagement of services consultants for the project.
• Preparation and collaboration with local architect on external materials palette in line with clients and town planning aesthetic requirements.
• Review and preparation of potential staging options for project.
• Review of preliminary cost plan provided with local architect and quantity surveyor.
• Prepared and led meetings with client on concept design progress for review and approval.
Proposed building perspective from the rear nature reserve.
