Samson, Finbar

Finbar Samson

2023 Portfolio

BA(Hons) Architecture

Liverpool School of Art and Design

Contents

Personal CV

Depths of Perception

Gummer’s Howe Research Centre

Hilbre Island Bird Observatory

Constance Street Photography Studio

Blue Ribbon Park

Reynisfjara Monument

Pg. 2

Pg. 3

Pg. 9

Pg. 13

Pg. 19

Pg. 21

Pg. 23

Undergraduate Architecture Student

Email : finbarsamson@manx.net

Telephone : +44 7884 093184

Educational Background and Qualifications

Term Address : 153 Empress Road, Kensington, Liverpool, L7 8SF

Home Address : The Workshop, Park Road, Isle of man, IM9 5HQ

2020 - Present Liverpool John Moores University

Currently studying BA (Hons) Architecture, Forecasted to achieve a 2:1.

Additional Experiences

As both of my parents are qualified architects with their own practice (Samson Designs Limited) I have been able to assist in a number of tasks for them, primarily through helping undertake measured building surveys and CAD work as well as presentation drawings.

Skills

Communication

High quality oral and written communication developed through essay and report assignments throughout my education, particularly within my University course. I have also developed a good level of presentation skills through my degree course, having the ability to convey ideas and present work I have completed.

Teamwork

2013 - 2020

Castle Rushen High School, Castletown, Isle of Man

A Levels - Product Design (A*), Art (A), History (C)

GCSEs - Mathmatics (C), Graphic Products (A), Art (A), English Lang. (A*), English Lit. (B), History (B), Geography (C), RE (B), Chemistry (C), Biology (C), Physics (C)

Work Experience

Summer 2022

Self-Employed Summer Work

During the summer I set up a service to provide practical and reliable help for the elderly within the local community. This included a range of services to maintain private dwellings from painting to gardening.

I was also able to assist local architect’s (Samson Designs Limited) with measured surveys and CAD work.

Experienced in working in teams through team sports I have played, work experience I have had and group led projects in both High school and University. With these experiences there have been opportunites for me to show my confident approach to all tasks and qualities as a team player

Problem Solving and Creativity

I have developed key problem solving skills, particularly in design areas, through subjects at high school and further developed them at University level. Creativity includes an interest in art projects and 3D modelling.

IT

I am adept in IT regarding CAD programs, base skills on Autocad and Revit in addition to other 3D modelling software and a range of Adobe Programs. I have my own 3D printer and design and produce 3D models for my course projects.

Driving Licence

I have held a full Isle of Man driving licence since 2019, which is valid in the UK.

Summer 2021

Kneen Construction Limited

As part of the Isle of Man Government’s Internship scheme, I worked for a construction company throughout the summer as a general labourer on the refurbishment and conversion of an old Victorian Schoolhouse into a tearoom/restaurant. This allowed me to experience and learn about aspects of the building industry from the contractors perspective and to build upon my teamwork skills.

Achievements

Art Awards

I have been awarded several art prizes at High School and was awarded the North American Manx Association (NAMA) Art Prize in 2020. This is presented by the North American and Canadian society for outstanding achievements in Arts & Crafts that reflect and promote Manx culture.

Summer 2018

Friends Provident International

During the summer I worked for the administrative department of Friends Provident International which is a large life assurance company with an offshore office located on the Isle of Man. My role revolved around administrative work and it gave me base skills in Microsoft Office programs and key experience in the office workplace.

McGarrigle Architects Limited

I spent one week at the McGarrigle Architects LTD practice through the work experience scheme at my high school. The experience gave me insight into how practices operate on a daily basis and I was given opportunities to visit projects on site. I was able to develop base architectural drawing and CAD Skills.

Isle of Man Harbour Board

This was again part of the High School work experience scheme, where I had a placement with the Isle of Man Government’s Harbour Board. This involved visiting various harbours on the island with the Harbour Master to review the general infrastructure

Sailing

I have reached Stage 2 in RYA Youth Sailing course, training at the Port St.Mary Yacht Club, Isle of Man

Interests

Sports

I have played a number of sports throughout my life. I have played hockey since junior level, representing local teams in the Isle of Man and continue to play for my University team. I have also played Football and Rugby for local teams and for my High School 1st teams.

Hobbies

Include Artwork and 3D Modelling / Printing, Films, Gaming and Football supporter.

Travel

I have travelled with my family to some of the more wilder locations of the world including Iceland, Norway, Australia and Tasmania. With both of my parents being architects, we have been drawn to many contemporary buildings on our visits such as the Opera House and Munch Museum in Oslo, and the modern Cathedral in Reykjavik. Along the way my interest and enthusiasm for architecture was nutured.

Finbar Samson

Depths of Perception

The Phenomenological Bathing Experience

This was the final project of the undergraduate course. The project was designing a Bathhouse on Princes Dock in Liverpool.

My research prior to the start of the design stage focused on the concept of phenomonology and the different ways bathing can be experienced. My design concept became about creating a series of bathing spaces, each with their own unique characteristics, and having a personal journey throughout the building.

1 : 200 West Elevation

1 : 200 North Elevation

1 : 200 North Section

Gummer’s Howe Research Centre

This project involved designing a weather station based on the top of Gummer’s Howe in the Lake District.

Considering the impact the building would have on the evironment was a key focus in this project.

My design incorporated the idea of testing materials against the conditions found on the site and in a laboratory. It also featured a large multi-purpose conference building and cafe for visitors.

4. Material Testing Structures

6. Track Road

7. Gravel Parking Area

8. Delivery Bays

Research Lab & Conference Centre

Year Two : ‘Additive or Subtractive’ Project Hilbre Island

Bird Observatory

Observatory & Research centre

This was a project for a bird observatory based on Hilbre Island, off the coast of West Kirby. My final design featured observation points looking to the east an d west, research facilities for data collection and accommodation for staff working on the Island.

This project dealt with the concepts of additive or subtractive architecture. I chose to focus on subtracting from mass.

North Elevation

North Elevation

South Elevation

Physical Model

Final presentation model of the Wildlife Station. The landscape was created with a carved concrete block and the buildings were 3D printed.

Year Two : ’Retrofitting an Urban Building’ Project

Constance Street Photography Studio

Retrofitted Photography studio

This project focused on retrofitting an existing building within the urban design project site and transforming it into a photography studio.

Various sized studios were required in the building and the of lighting these rooms was something that needed to be considered.

My design featured a small central garden, a workshop and suitable storage space in addition to the studios. The existing brickwork was kept and repainted with new corten elements complementing it.

Sketch drawings of the photography studio design.

Elevation Drawing

Section Drawing

Blue Ribbon Park

Urban Park in Liverpool

The brief for this project was to revitalise an area in Liverpool known as the Fabric District. The project was carried out in a group with two other student colleagues.

The main concept of the project was that sculptures, which resembled the forms of ribbon would guide visitors towards particular destintions.

Reynisfjara Monument

Film of Spatial Sequences

This project revolved around designing a sequence of spatial experiences within a building. My design became situated next to Reynisfjara beach, famous for it’s black sand. The final design was modelled and filmed to create an ‘Archifilm’.

Photograph of the final model created for the Archifilm project.

QR Code to the final film :