A collection space for my personal and professional works, as a portfolio, a curriculum vitae and as a personal record for myself.

CONTACT@JACKRICHARDSON.CO.UK JACKRICHARDSON.CO.UK JACKRICHARDSONARCHITECTURE

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Introduction

A warm welcome to my personal website.

I have created the following website as a ‘collection space’ in which I intend to bring together and publish my personal and professional works, both as a portfolio and a personal record for myself.

As it turns out, a project can often take longer to present than it takes to complete in the first place. As such, the following space is the culmination of years of work started 15 years ago. Despite the undertaking, however, it brings me immense satisfaction to finally have a ‘safe’ place in which my work can live on, as hard-discs slow and refuse to spin, and sketchbooks and portfolios slowly disappear to dust. You may even find some works here that have never before seen the light of day.

I welcome any questions/ feedback you may have. Please send me a message through the Contact area of the website, and I will do my best to get back to you where I can.

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Art and Architecture

I started drawing at a young age, a hobby that naturally developed into a broader interest in art and craft. At the age of 5, assisted by my mother, I entered an Easter drawing competition. I already had a clear idea what my entry would be. A detached house, not differing too greatly from the standard: symmetrical, hipped roof, one central front door, 4 windows…but with one key difference. This one would have a bat hanging from the gutter. Following a family holiday in Limoges, France, I was introduced to bats in an outhouse of my uncle’s summer house, and they captured my fascination. Every house I would draw from this point forward would have a bat hanging from the gutter.

Growing up in a rural setting, scarcity of available entertainment and of materials drove resourceful responses in my childhood pursuits. My greatest resource at that time was time, and the perceived abundance of it. Without time pressure, my inner designer was able to flourish through experimentation and creation.

During my teenage years, disillusioned with art class in school (and everything else in the world), I grew towards an education in the physical sciences. The problem for me was that, in a school art class,  there was never enough time to relax and create, and every new week would see us galloping on to a completely different project, a different medium, leaving a trail of unfinished masterpieces that I would never find time to complete. On the other hand, I began to enjoy the physical sciences for their directness, their desire to resolve problems, the wealth of knowledge to enlighten and inspire, and the ability to bring us closer to an acceptable version of the truth.

My choice to further my education in the field of Architecture was born out of a love for both art and science, for craft and creation, a thirst for knowledge, and a desire to operate in a field which draws from a diverse range of subjects. Through the study the architecture of a particular place, you open up windows into an understanding of native customs and culture; a vital tool for designing in sensitive environments. In addition, Architecture has helped me rediscover my passion for art and craft, and the complex combination of subjects has greatly benefitted my conceptual and imaginative thinking.

In truth, my first experience of commercial time pressure was not a happy one, and took some getting used to. Gone was the time when time was abundant. Externally-imposed deadlines brought compromise through a lack of time, and with it a new driver for creation. Instead of a place relaxation to contemplate and create, the architectural practice was a place of adrenaline and coffee. Experience was everything. It was your kit of tools. This was a not a place to ponder and experiment, it was a place to assemble pre-conceived ideas and present them.

As years have passed, I have come to realise that time pressure itself is inevitable, sometimes even beneficial, and so is the compromise it brings. It is the responsibility of the designer to determine the scale of that compromise; to accommodate where compromise is necessary, and recognise where unnecessary concession brings unhealthy and unhappy compromise. Nowadays, many thoughtless commercial time pressures hinder the imagination and stifle creation, and the result is increasingly visible in our built environment. It is this that I seek to avoid.

The solution, as ever, is a balance. The inevitable compromise will result, whatever it may be. However, until that compromise is reached, the responsible designer must fight unnecessary concessions to achieve the best result possible.

As Kevin Kelly once wrote, the creator must ‘seek persistent disequilibrium’:

“Neither constancy nor relentless change will support a creation. [Creation] is persistent disequilibrium – a continuous state of surfing forever on the edge between never stopping but never falling.”

Kevin Kelly, 1999

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Philosophy

“The world will not evolve past its current state of crisis by using the same thinking that created the situation.”

Albert Einstein

My interest in the field of Biomimetics has greatly benefitted my personal approach to the design situation.

Biomimetics is the discipline within architecture which borrows inspiration from nature, literally ‘mimicking life’, adopting its systems as a model for sustainable design solutions. The principle of biomimetics is to form a relationship between nature and the built environment based on the efficient processes and circular metabolism of the natural world.

The study of Biomimetics looks to nature as an inspiration to environmentally-responsive design and intelligent architecture, considering the building as a living organism, able to fully sustain itself and the local environment through a system of mutual dependence, and renewable energy generation.

Bringing together a number of interconnected disciplines, such as biology, meteorology, materials and systems technology, and advanced computer simulation, the architect is encouraged to broaden his knowledge base, thus providing a solid foundation to approach any design problem in the most environmentally-responsive and responsible way. From this foundation, the designer is able to develop a sustainable design response, which is unique and specific to the particular project site.

Looking at the key characteristics of living organisms on Earth, and successes of life in even the most extreme environments, the inspired designer is able to respond to the unique characteristics of any site situation through environmentally sensitive and adaptive architecture.

Understanding the key concepts of Biomimetics, such as closed metabolisms and cradle-to-cradle design, and their successful employment by nature across the planet, gives confidence to the designer to pursue continual improvement strategy, constantly learning from the mistakes of previous design responses, and building upon their successes, and never accepting a single definitive solution. This is referred to by the theorist Kevin Kelly, as ‘pursuing no optima’. What begins as merely mimicking the cycles and systems of nature, advances through technology to produce an architecture that is both intelligent and highly-adaptive, capable of withstanding the pressures of any particular environment, whilst adapting to change when necessary.

This detailed study of the world around us separates us as human beings from the rest of the animal kingdom. It is perhaps surprising then, that life has thrived on this planet for many millions of year, pursuing its own some-what selfish objectives, and will continue to live on even if we as humans die out.

Through an instinctive understanding of the essential elements of survival, [sustainable energy sourcing, self-perpetuation] every organism present on the planet today has been able to adapt themselves to cope with the growing pressures of an increasingly changing world.

Humans, on the other hand, strive always for a more comfortable and higher quality of life, far beyond basic survival. We look to change the world around us when confronted with external pressures, instead of changing ourselves. When faced with a crisis, such as global warming, which threatens our very existence on the planet, we therefore find ourselves unable to demonstrate the thinking needed to tackle the problem.

As architects, it is our job, to lead the way in changing the common attitude towards a sustainable future. If it is not possible to bring about an immediate change in cultural attitudes, then we must minimise the damage caused by our own selfish actions, by looking to replenish the earth’s finite resources at the same rate as we consume them. This objective ties in with the concept of sustainable energy generation, and benefits the planet by minimising the costly extraction of unsustainable fossil fuels from the earth’s surface.

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Expertise

Architectural Draughtsman

Experience Part 3 Architectural Technician well-versed in a wide range of computer-aided design (CAD) software

Modelmaker

The physical scale model proves indispensable in my work, allowing me to develop and test ideas, and present proposals to the client

Graphic Designer

I am proficient in traditional graphical detailing techniques with freehand drawing, as well as using advanced specialist design software

Researcher

My time in academia allowed me to broaden and diversify my knowledge to influence and inform my professional design work

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Project Types

For the past 15 years, I have operated in a number of architectural practices, as well as on a freelance basis. I enjoy a varied workload, and constantly seek extra-curricular projects with which to complement my professional work.

Commercial Expertise

Commercial

15 years ago, I began my training as an architect. Outside of academic life, I sought experience in practice as a draughtsman. Since then, I have worked in a variety of sectors, from commercial to residential, energy and education. For the past 5 years, I have travelled extensively, working on a remote freelance basis.

Research Expertise

Research

My pursuit of a varied and comprehensive higher education led me to diverse fields of study, from social to ecological, geographical to political. I would seek to carry the wisdom of these disciplines through to my professional design career, to help influence a more considered and conscious way of design.

Social Expertise

Social

During the course of my professional design career, I have developed a good understanding of graphical detailing and presentation. Outside the professional sphere, I enjoy lending my professional skills to community/charity events for the participation of the community and advancement of social well-being.

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Work
Experience

Self-Employed / 2013 – present

ARCHITECTURAL TECHNICIAN

Operating on a self-employed basis, I continue to carry out small residential design projects through direct relationships with clients, whilst contracting to practises on a number of larger projects.

Couchsurfing / 2015 – present

COMMUNITY EVENT ORGANISER

As an outreach of the international social platform, I headed up the organisation of weekly events in the city with a focus on social inclusion of the international
and local community.

BUILDER – DESIGNER – CARPENTER

With a focus on sustainability, I worked as part of a team of professionals in the fabrication, construction and landscaping of a new-build holistic training centre in the hills above Alghero, Sardinia.

BUILDING WORKSHOP TECHNICIAN

I joined a School of Construction in Alta Langa, Italy to assist and participate in Architecture Summer Workshops. The project is designed to train architectural conservation students in traditional building techniques using a hands- on approach

Self-Employed / 2010 – present

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Working in a team of volunteer professionals, part-time outside of my architectural work,  I produce the promotional material, logos and graphics for a number of community organisations and social events.

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Work
Experience

Self-Employed / 2013 – present

ARCHITECTURAL TECHNICIAN

Operating on a self-employed basis, I continue to carry out small residential design projects through direct relationships with clients, whilst contracting to practises on a number of larger projects.

Couchsurfing / 2015 – present

COMMUNITY EVENT ORGANISER

As an outreach of the international social platform, I headed up the organisation of weekly events in the city with a focus on social inclusion of the international
and local community.

BUILDER – DESIGNER – CARPENTER

With a focus on sustainability, I worked as part of a team of professionals in the fabrication, construction and landscaping of a new-build holistic training centre in the hills above Alghero, Sardinia.

BUILDING WORKSHOP TECHNICIAN

I joined a School of Construction in Alta Langa, Italy to assist and participate in Architecture Summer Workshops. The project is designed to train architectural conservation students in traditional building techniques using a hands-on approach

Self-Employed / 2010 – present

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Working in a team of volunteer professionals, part-time outside of my architectural work,  I produce the promotional material, logos and graphics for a number of community organisations and social events.

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Skills

Computer-Aided Design

My time in practice has allowed me the chance to accustom myself with a range of computer-aided design software, including AutoCAD and Microstation, for the development and presentation of technical drawings for my design portfolio.

Modelmaking

Since the time of my Design Technology course in secondary school, the physical scale model has proved indispensable in my work, allowing me to communicate proposals to the client, and test and develop ideas during the design process through exploration of form and functionality.

Freehand Drawing

As with the physical model, the freehand sketch is more familiar and more friendly to the client, someone who may not necessarily have the experience nor the interest in reading technical drawings or computer produced visuals.

Graphic Design

My academic and professional career has given me the opportunity to familiarise myself with new techniques in graphical detailing and presentation, both traditional methods of drawing and painting, and also specialist design software such as the Adobe Creative Design Suite.

Project Time Management

The intensity of working practice, with often strict and overlapping deadlines has encouraged effective time management strategies, allowing me to achieve a good standard of work, often under severe time pressure.

Teamworking Responsibilities

In addition to developing the necessary skills to aid my own personal development, my time in the profession has brought numerous opportunities to work with other professionals, encouraging cross-disciplinary communication and collaborative working.

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Qualifications

above left: BA (Hons) Architecture

(University of Manchester)

above right: MArch Architecture

(University of Manchester)

above right: BA (Hons) Architecture

(Manchester Met. University)

above right: MArch Architecture

(Manchester Met. University)

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Awards

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Awards

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Publications

MSA: Yearbook 2008
Manchester School of Architecture
Manchester University Press
July 2008

My work in architectural model-making was featured in the annual yearbook of the Manchester School of Architecture, a publication showcasing the work of the most outstanding students at the School.

Architectural Modelmaking
Dr. Nick Dunn
Laurence King
Sept 2014

My 3D architectural work has featured in the best-selling publication ‘Architectural Modelmaking’, alongside the likes of Dan Libeskind, Feilden Clegg Bradley, and UN Studio.

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Publications

Architectural Modelmaking
Dr. Nick Dunn
Laurence King
Sept 2014

My 3D architectural work has featured in the best-selling publication ‘Architectural Modelmaking’, alongside the likes of Dan Libeskind, Feilden Clegg Bradley, and UN Studio.

MSA: Yearbook 2008
Manchester School of Architecture
Manchester University Press
July 2008

My work in architectural model-making was featured in the annual yearbook of the Manchester School of Architecture, a publication showcasing the work of the most outstanding students at the School.