Chris is an experienced Architect in the Education sector, leading multiple SEND & Secondary Schools via the DfE Modern Methods of Construction Framework. He liaises with design team members and construction teams delivering DfMA, MMC, NZC and Passivhaus Schools with Tier One Contractors.
He’s been delivering education projects in the Bristol area and across the UK for over 17 years. Chris has strong skills delivering construction projects from stages 3-6, bringing comprehensive BIM and technical experience to each project.
Chris, if you weren’t in this career, what would you be?
I’d be a teaching golf professional. I enjoy engaging with people, helping them to improve their skills and seeing them make positive progress. I previously coached my local ladies cricket team and I would see one-to-one teaching or teaching smaller groups as equally rewarding.
What’s your favourite project you’ve worked on to date?
I have two, Laurel Barn in Mells, Somerset and Redfield Educate Together Primary Academy in Bristol. The former is a three-sided courtyard house, built by the father of one of the clients, to the North & West buildings for work, study and sleeping accommodation clad in stonework, cedar boarding and zinc roofs. To the South, a stunning modern Oak-framed open plan living space with views across a paddock. It was a pleasure to work with great clients with a vision for their young family and a real character & craftsman.
Redfield Educate Together Primary Academy was a colourful 420 place primary school in Bristol, a courtyard design wrapping around the urban edge of the confined site, protecting the playground from the street. Proof that modern education can be delivered with an extensive palette of materials including render, glass, cedar cladding, brick and reclaimed stonework from the site to preserve the Victorian heritage while providing a strong civic presence.
What is the current big trend in the schools sector?
Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and Design for Manufacture and Assembly have been at the forefront of the Governments drive for efficiency in the construction industry and especially in the Education sector. We are delivering multiple schools on the DfE’s MMC Framework, developing standardised details with a main contractor and their supply chain to overcome co-ordination issues, and develop a standardised approach to MMC delivery while applying lessons learnt to future projects.
What advice would you give your 20 year old self?
Play more golf and enjoy the outdoors more, there’s life beyond the computer screen (or mobile phone for the youth of today)!
What is your proudest moment?
Every time we deliver a school, knowing the effort and care that has gone into each one and in the knowledge it will provide education for thousands of kids for years to come.
Industry Bodies
- ARB
