What do you do at Sphion Ltd?

I’m a director and I run Sphions architectural studio. As the company's lead designer, I champion sustainability, generating concepts and leading technical design development on schemes both in the UK and internationally. Acting CDM principal designer.​

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Having commercial and residential experience – working in varied environments and sectors, such as government, local businesses and associations for private and public sector clients. Such as, the NHS, leisure, educational institutions residential and commercial clientele covering refurbishment, renovation, heritage and conservation, maintenance and new build projects.

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What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?

Hopefully our clients will say a bit of a creative flair and passion for life and changing and improving environments! Keen on delivering client visions.

 

What’s your passion outside of architecture?

Family are my immediate passion, I also love to play guitar and be out in the great outdoors – especially being in the mountains and vast UK countryside – whether climbing, rowing, mountain biking, I like to challenge myself and having done various runs, swims and even skydived for charity. For personal development, I enjoy developing sustainable technologies and studying Law.

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What qualities do others see in you?

That I am hardworking, self motivated and responsible, with an articulate, outgoing and tenacious personality, capable of motivating and leading teams and assuming high responsibility.

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What experience do you bring to your role?

I have studied the science of architecture, Surveying and Construction and the Built Environment,  having the ability to deal with both the complex technical detail and the wider demands of a project, programme or portfolio environment. I feel I possess effective leadership skills and can effectively manage, control and coordinate complex projects, including planning, delegation, monitoring and controlling all aspects of a project, and the motivation of all those involved to achieve the project objectives in line with the expected performance targets of time, cost, quality, scope, benefits and risk.

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What projects have you been involved with throughout your career?
Involved in projects undertaking the coordination of BIM project data, including scheduling, CoBie data, the
production of 2D construction drawings and schematics. 3D Design modelling, concept imagery and walk-throughs, quantification, take-offs, and facilities management.

Worked in Surveying, Architectural Design, MEP Design Engineering, project management, site management roles, such as:

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"Working in strategic Consulting Division on Structures. Responsible for all CAD Design related duties on Area13 UK Infrastructure. Works to be designed as per DMRB manuals, legislative and contract specific requirements."

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"I was engaged on production of Architectural Design packages for Data Centre's and laboratories for clients in UK and Ireland. Working primarily with Cleantec and Dagard systems. All Associated work carried out in  Ireland and Manchester UK."

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"Working as a Building Control Surveyor/consultant for local authorities working on queries, taking phone calls and advising on current Building regulations and appropriate site specific construction methods. Client facing role meeting with clients, home-owners contractors and other departmental professionals, carrying out site inspections for building notice and full plans applications. Covering residential, industrial and listed buildings. Carried out all Statutory inspections: Commencement, Interim staged inspections as required, Completions and Regularisation. During my time at local authority I carried out 7-14 site visits a day over large area of outstanding natural beauty amongst some of the finest UK countryside."

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"Responsible for pre-construction operations, short term contract on site in Ingleton, proposed new build of a steel portal frame building to be used for pharmaceutical manufacturing"

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"I was engaged to facilitate change of use application on survey south planks farm Lancashire, the Crownland Site ran  by the Duke of Lancaster currently comprises of agricultural Buildings and farmhouses."

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"Brookwood Park – Is a stylish mix of 117 newbuild, 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom properties, all finished to a high specification. With 13 different house types on offer there will be a superb collection of apartments, terraced, semi-detached and detached homes, offering up to 1905 sq ft of living space. Renowned for our stunning street scenes, Brookwood Park boasts a stylish mix of attractive exterior finishes, complemented by thoughtfully designed interiors; working predominately on a sub-contract basis, I was responsible for site management activities for civils and ground works during the construction stage."

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"Architectural Technician - Negotiate and develop an architectural project and manage the process from conception through to completion. This includes architectural design management, contract management and postconstruction
work. Working closely with architects and other building professionals, providing architectural design services and solutions on construction projects. Negotiate projects, assessing the needs of clients and users, and agree the project brief. Design the project, preparing and presenting design proposals using computer-aided design (CAD) and traditional methods. Manage projects, obtaining and evaluating tenders and contracts. Evaluate and advise on refurbishment, repair, reuse, recycling and deconstruction of buildings."

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"Engaged as Contractor to undertake site surveys of existing underground drainage systems and design and install new drainage systems and associated pipe works."

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"Covering all aspects of CAD and Design outsourcing solutions for the construction industry professionals and contractors. Undertaking Architectural and Building Services design and project coordination for contractors and consultants within the construction Industry looking to reduce turnaround time on project design and assisting residential proprietors with home solutions, such as; feasibility, planning and building control for extensions, renovations, conversions, demolition and refurbishment."

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"Having a flexible and adaptable approach to facilitate the demands of the business, working on projects for new build and refurbishment works in Building Services. In conjunction with the following responsibilities: - Assist and support Design Engineers with Design information input into Revit Models. Develop Design Intent information into 3D coordinated models. Manage end sheet output, production and delivery. Maintain CAD/Revit& BIM standards and standard drawing configurations. Complete drawing issue sheets on behalf of engineers as necessary. Manage common data exchange environments Liaise with external design teams as necessary, to coordinate Revit /BIM Model design process and production. Implement and manage QA systems and procedures on all projects."

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"Undertaking contract appointments; designing for Building Services installations, producing design documentation for Operations and Maintenance manuals. Undertaking all relevant CAD Design work using licensed  software. Producing building systems diagrams and schematics for installation and facilities management."

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"Responsible for maintaining 2D and 3D MEP CAD requirements assisting design engineers with systems operations, design and technical drawing as required for building services installations for public health project Systems, producing model data, schematics and construction drawings."

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"Is a Grade II listed building, therefore careful restoration and redevelopment was an essential part of the project. 24-33 St Swithin's Lane was also incorporated into the redevelopment and was clad in Portland Stone to carry the continuity of the building. Internally the two buildings were linked to create a large office space. A new entrance was also created in St Swithin's Lane incorporating Portland stone in the design. The Architect designed the cladding to incorporate the mouldings and large design features of 1 King William Street with the more modest characteristics of St Swithin's Lane and the surrounding buildings. Dimension Data took the project on, I was contracting responsible for construction documents containing BMS, containment, Fire and Security systems, Access, Data and Communications, Mechanical plant, MVHR, Heating, Cooling, Electrical, Small power, Low voltage, High Voltage, lighting, Reflective ceiling layouts and coordinated drawings, project was to achieve BIM Level 2."

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"Responsible for maintaining all CAD systems operations, design and technical drawing as required for Building
Services installations and Facilities Management in Dallam Primary School; on an outsource contract basis."

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"Carry out all design of AZ and PZ sheet piling installations for Temporary Earthwork support works and bracing,. Managing construction of permanent steel sheet pile basements, and retaining walls, cofferdams, Rail and road infrastructure and ports and harbours. Covering a range of industries including : Rail, Defence, Highways and Commercial. Offering solutions ensuring the optimal value engineering scheme was delivered."

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"Analysing architectural plans/ drawings to assist in design, installation and commissioning of building systems and building services, taking projects through RIBA POW 2013 stages 3-7, highlighting any possible risks during the design stage, identifying clash detection, making amendments to produce site specific detailed site plans, using computer-aided design applications (CAD, MEP) and (REVIT). Specifying the appropriate technologies to be used in projects, overseeing design project systems installations, commissioning and throughout project lifecycle"

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"I worked within the MEP design team to undertake a full systems design for installation for Liverpool Anfield Road ."

 

"NHS North West Ambulance Stations- worked within the MEP design team to undertake a full systems installation at various locations in the north west and Cumbria."

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"Worked within the MEP design team on the Nationwide Technology Centre, Swindon -A high profile and prestigious project as part of ‘The Swindon and Wiltshire Strategic Economic Plan’ - located off pipers way B4006 – Swindon – This project featured: Power and cooling remediation of the nationwide data centre. I was responsible for producing and amending building service plans diagrams and schematics fit for use onsite."

"Working for a contractor we undertook a full systems installation at Lewis building Liverpool, which included a full fit out at the Lewis building hotel, whilst the retail departments, offices, gym, and supermarket were provided with utilities only. Responsible for producing and amending building service plans, diagrams and schematics fit for use onsite."

"Wigan Town Hall - undertook the systems installation for the Refurbishment of the historic Victorian Grade II listed Town Hall building in Wigan. The mechanical and electrical services design has been refined to allow a scope of works for each service/system to be defined against the brief information; Test, balance and re-commission mechanical ventilation systems, Provide new mechanical ventilation and cooling systems to areas of increased occupancy or change of use, Repair and refurbish air handling units, Upgrade sewage pumping systems to suit increased building occupancy, Extend IT structured cabling system to all areas to enable voice over Ip phone to be utilised in line with the Council hot desk / agile working policy, Provide new small power outlets and data outlets to areas of increased occupancy, Remove sections of the existing pipework to determine the condition of the pipework and replace pipework as necessary, Modify any existing building services systems (heating ventilation, cooling lighting power, data, containment fire alarms etc.) to suit space planning changes, Improve control systems e.g. daylighting/movement sensors to lighting, heating zones and TRV’s, radiators, Provide new services to new tea point
and reception areas. I was responsible for producing and amending building service plans diagrams and
schematics fit for use onsite."

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What are your technical abilities?
Previous experience in town planning and building control, condition surveys, measurement and dilapidation
surveys, feasibility studies, identifying location benefits and environmental impacts, quantification and BIM
implementation. Analysing and producing architectural, structural and MEP data, producing construction phase
plans, scheduling, programme of works. Producing building system diagrams and schematics, synchronising model data, highlighting any possible risks, identifying clash detection, liaising with other professionals to ensure
progression and conformance with the programme, making amendments using computer-aided design tool software applications.

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I would love to discuss your project further 

please call our Lancashire office on 01253 366100 

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