Chris StowArchitecture P r o j e c t Examples and C u r r i c u l u m V i t a e

a. 40 Bouverie Court, Leeds, LS9 8LBm. 07521740069e. chris.stow@hotmail.com

w. www.wix.com/stowie33/chris-stow

Date of Birth – 03/04/1987

2009 – 2011, Leeds Metropolitan University Postgraduate Architecture Degree, DistinctionGuest Critic - 2nd year degree students

2005 – 2008, Leeds Metropolitan UniversityBA(Hons) Architecture, Second Class Higher (2:1)RIBA Part 1 Accredited

2003 – 2005, Scarborough Sixth Form3 A-Levels (A-C Standard)

5 AS-Levels (A-C Standard)

2000 – 2003, Sedbergh School9 GCSE’s (A-C Standard)

Further QualificationsI have a full clean UK driving license, held since Jauary 2007Previous qualifications in first aid

Christopher Michael Stow Curriculum Vitae

Education / Awards

Architectural AssistantGillespies LLP (August 2008 - September 2009)

During my time at Gillespies I worked alongside other team members on many projects, notably two regeneration masterplans, one for the Little London/Holbeck area of Leeds and Merrington Lane, Spennymoor, which involved close liaison with steering group members and the wider design team. Some of the most well know porjects in the office include the Bradford Mirror Pool design. Smaller projects included individual buildings such as a one off house in Aberford, Leeds and the new Conservatory Restaurant / Cafe at Greenhead Park which, blended an old Victorian glass house with a new timber clad restaurant building.

Holbeck and Little London PFI, Leeds - In the summer of 2006, a comprehensive Regeneration Plan was produced with a view to obtaining funding under the Government’s Private Finance Initiative (PFI) for the Beeston Hill and Holbeck area of Leeds. This would allow Leeds City Council to invest over £90 million of funding over the next 30 years into regeneration initiatives that would create animproved and better living environment in Beeston Hill and Holbeck. Working in a large design team, Gillesies have been commissioned to work up a design for the regeneration and urban masterplan for the area, this includes the * Clearance of 585 unsustainable and low demand public sector homes;* Refurbishment of 388 existing housing units and ongoing maintenance during the contract period;* Conversion of 30 existing sheltered housing units (Ingram Court) to form 24 sheltered housing units and ongoing maintenance during the contract period;* Construction of up to 275 new council homes for rent and ongoing maintenance during the contract period. Project Tasks: Working within a large team of architects, landscape architects and urban designers it was my job to carry out surveys of two of the largest neighborhood areas and produce existing plans of the conditions of the gardens, boundary treatments and expose any potential improvement areas. Once the existing plans were produced I worked in developing the neighborhood areas into proposal plans and helped draw up final designs.

Greenhead Park, Huddersfield - The project involved work for a stage 2 HLF bid for the restoration of a significant Victorian Park in Huddersfield. The work included plans for the listed conservatory building to secure the structures future as well as providing new café / bar facilities adjacent to it. Additional work at Greenhead Park included work to refurbish the refreshment rooms providing new dining and office accommodation within. Projectr Tasks; Producing tender and construction information including full detailed drawings and NBS specification for existing and proposed restoration and new build projects around the park. Attending meetings with the client, the quantity surveyor, structural and mechanical / electrical engineers and landscape architects to discuss solutions to any problems that had arisen.

Employment History

During my time studying and in practice I have developed a wide range of architectural skills from hand draughting and sketching to CAD skills including AutoCAD, Photoshop, Illustrator, In-Design, 3DS Max and Sketchup. I am constantly improving my speed and proficiency in regards to these programmes. I have also developed a broad understanding of a wide range of architectural issues including in depth studies of sustainable and environmental design, urban design and design for rapid and repeatable construction. During the course of my diploma I have worked on projects focused on urban renewal and regeneration, the impact of flooding and climate change as well as jobless communities/unemployment and the role architecture has to play in its prevention.

My design thesis looks at this issue and my proposals included affordable mobile house boats that aim to provoke a reaction and raise awareness of the issue alongside a new model for social housing. The aim is to create an ultra mobile and flexible workforce to migrate to areas of employment, rather than the current society where people are stuck in ‘ghettos of unemployment’.

These projects continued themes I had begun studying during my degree and year in practice. Further areas of study and personal interest have included urban design and masterplanning, working with existing buildings and working within complex / existing landscapes.

I am proficient in a range of software and find it easy to pick up new packages as required. I am highly capable and efficient and able to work to full British standard layering, single model environments and use x-refs. I can also produce 3D work with lighting, shadows and render I am also proficient in Autodesk Revit, and 3DS Max to produce accurate real life renders.

I am proficient in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop and able to produce a wide range of diagrams, documents and images. I have an excellent understanding of Sketch Up and I am confident modelling both buildings and landscapes and creating animations.

Throughout my final years thesis I began exploring 3Dimensional Printing. Printing scaled panels of my final roof design. Implementing the method of construction, directly from a computer is something I hope to continue to develop and learn.

Key Architectural Skills

I am a very social and friendly person who thrives for new challenges and learning new skills. I thoroughly enjoy working within a busy team but am equally comfortable working on an individual basis. University has taught me the fundamentals of individual project and time management. I live by the motto “work hard, play hard”, I throw myself into both work and the social side of things. Within the academic terms of university I have taken an active part in university life, getting involved with course and wider university activities. At my time at Gillespies I went on numerous social outings including taking part in the Leeds Dragon Boat Races as part of a charity rowing crew which was a great experience.

I have a very keen interest in a wide variety of sports. I used to play a large amount of rugby over the winter seasons, captaining my local team, and cricket over the summer months. I still play occasional games of rugby for two clubs, back in Scarborough and in Roundhay Leeds, but playing squash has become more of a regular occurrence. I enjoy watching all sports, ideally live. My ideal weekend would involve surfing, biking somewhere new.

Throughout both my academic and professional experiences I have loved learning new skills and relish challenging situations. Within my employment with Gillespies, I learnt a great deal about the role of an architect. Through the year I was given an increased level of responsibility within the office. Working as part of a team I found hugely enjoyable.

Having completed my part one placement at Gillespies, going back to university gave me the opportunity to innovate my design skills. Having self taught 3D packages, beginning with Sketch-up, and later 3DS Max and Autodesk Revit I was able to explore much more complex forms.

I consider myself a reliable, flexible and dedicated individual who is highly driven to learn new skills and carry out work to the highest professional standard.

Personality / Interests

ReferencesName: Mike SharpOccupation: ArchitectAddress: Minton Chambers12 Heatons CourtLeeds, LS1 4LJTelephone: 01132470550E-Mail: Michael.sharp@gillepies.co.uk

Name: Vernon ThomasOccupation: Course LeaderAddress: Leeds Metropolitan University, Woodhouse,Leeds, LS2 9ENTelephone: 011381 24008E-Mail: V.Thomas@leedsmet.ac.ukv

M: 07521740069E: chris.stow@hotmail.comChris Stow W: www.wix.com/stowie33/chris-stow