Chris Davies - Stroud Building Design Association

Chris Davies Architect

Philosophy
Consideration for the provision of sustainable technologies and ecological materials is at the forefront of my design philosophy.
I strongly believe in the importance of communication in ensuring the smooth running of all my projects.
I believe in quality and craftsmanship, and aim to bring a pragmatic yet inspired approach to the development of my projects.

In addition I like to develop relationships with compatible ecologically-minded companies with strong sustainability credentials, such as the locally based ‘Green Shop’ in Bisley and the ‘Green Building Store’ based near Huddersfield, as well as other companies providing ‘green’ materials, such as ‘Natural Building Technologies’ and ‘Ecological Building Systems.

Experience
Before setting up my own practice, in March 2011, I worked as a project architect for Gordon Clarke Architects (who I joined in 2005), designing and project managing a £4m Laboratory Block for a leading UK company, and co-managed a £4.5m corporate eco build with Gordon Clarke, along with working on a wide range of domestic projects.

Previously to that, between 2002 and 2005, I worked as a project architect for Architects Design Partnership, based in Oxford, working primarily on the £30m Oxford Castle Hotel development (Civic Trust Award Winner 2007), which turned Oxford Castle and Prison into a five star hotel for client MalMaison. I was also project architect for a new primary school in Cippenham (Slough), and a new entrance building for South Downs College in Waterlooville.

During the 1990s I worked abroad for UK and German architectural firms in Berlin and Prague. Whilst in Berlin (1992-95) I was the project co-designer for one of the new Parliament Buildings in Berlin (working for Brands Kolbe Wernik Architekten), and during my two years in Prague (1997-99) I co-designed the Olympia Shopping Centre in Brno (working for London firm Dawe & Geddes Architects , between 1997 and 2002) and acted as their site architect for the project. Other projects for this company included a 750-bed student accommodation scheme in Colchester, and a new M&S Foodstore within an historic existing building in West Wickham.