DAVID MCGOWAN A COLLECTION OF WORK
DAVID MCGOWAN A COLLECTION OF WORK
INTEGRATING ARCHITECTURAL FUNCTIONS INTO INTERACTIVE COMPONENTS
CONTENT About & CV Thoughts
Chapter 1.
University Studio Projects
Machining The Landscape & Sustainable Dwelling
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Chapter 2.
Professional Work Bolles + Wilson
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Chapter 3.
Building Communities Workshop
Architecture Sans Frontieres, Salvador, Brazil
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Chapter 4. Writing
Neoliberal Politics in Brazil [Dissertation Excerpt]
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Chapter 5. Other
Awards & Press
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EDUCATION
1st Class Ba (Hons) Architecture, University of Lincoln 2008-2011 A Levels: Maths, History, English Literature, Bilborough College, Nottingham 2006-2008
SKILLS
Adobe Products: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign & Bridge. Google SketchUp, Autocad, Vectorworks, 3DS Studio Max and Microsoft Office. I also have a passion for model making and hand drawing, which help me explore design decisions and present ideas and proposals.
EXPERIENCE
Architectural Assistant, BOLLES + WILSON Muenster, Germany August 2011 - February 2012 Worked under aclaimed Architect, Peter Wilson at the award winning BOLLES + WILSON Architectural studio in Muenster, Germany. Peter Wilson became recoginised and respected in the industry from his time at the AA both as a student winning the Diploma Prize and as a Diploma Unit Master from 1980-88 during the time where Peter Cook, Ben Van Berkel, Rem Koolhaas and Zaha Hadid were teaching at the AA. I worked closely with Peter assisting in a large variety of tasks including CAD drawings, visualisations, presentations, graphical content, attended site visits and design workshops with collaborative designers. Whilst also being included in the legalities of project work through costing procedure construction techniques and planning documents construction techniques. During my 6 months at BOLLES + WILSON i was involved in a range of projects, from the new National Library of Luxemburg to smaller, more fast paced competition proposals. I developed my drawing skills, both digital and free hand and also was actively engaged in the layout and graphical presentation of projects
WORKSHOP
Part of Research Team, Architecture Sans Frontieres Salvador, Brazil March 2010 - April 2010 I was selected to be involved in a slum-based project in Salvador, Brazil from March to April of 2010. It involved me working with architects, planners, social science professionals and professors from all over the world. This experience was invaluable to teaching me the effects of what good and bad design/architecture can have on a place and community. It also began a great interest into architecture of developing countries and companies like Architecture for Humanity and similar efforts that focus on responding to the urgent and immediate needs of a focus of architecture within these environments.
AWARDS & PRESS
RIBA Bronze President’s Medal 2011 (Nomination)
My final year project whilst studying my Bachelor of Architecture degree, was marked amongst the highest of year and my project was nominated for the prestigious RIBA Bronze Presidents Medal. Walter Parker Bursary I was also awarded the RIBA Walter Parker Bursary that supported my move to Germany and enabled me to travel around Europe. RIBA Yearbook 2012 I have since been asked to write an article for the RIBA Education Yearbook 2011 publication, focusing on my time in Germany at Bolles and Wilson. Whilst also being invited to events such as the RIBA Gold critique of the Presidents Medal’s and other events within the RIBA community and other Associations.
REFERENCES
Peter Wilson Principal of Bolles+WIlson info@bolles-wilson.com James Dale Studio Tutor at The University of Lincoln Jdale@lincoln.ac.uk
PERSONAL STATEMENT My passion for Architecture has led me to move countries and work in Germany at Bolles + WIlson, participate in the Building Communities workshop in Salvador, Brazil and travel to Japan, China, South America and across Europe. This has enabled me to experience first hand how architecture can have an impact on people’s lives.
acclaimed Architect, Peter Wilson at the award winning BOLLES + WILSON Architectural studio in Muenster, Germany. Peter Wilson became recognised and respected in the industry from his time at the AA both as a student winning the Diploma Prize and as a Diploma Unit Master from 1980-88 during the time where Peter Cook, Ben Van Berkel, Rem Koolhaas and Zaha Hadid were teaching at the AA.
For example, the difference it can make when there is intelligent use of it, or in contrast, the impact there is on an area where there is little consideration of it. Areas like the squatter communities in Brazil that create architecture for the need to survive, and then to the other side of the world in China where it is often used to show off wealth and power. I am looking forward to continuing my studies and further investigating different cultures and communities and how they respond to their individual environments.
In 2010 I was selected to be involved in a slum-based project in Salvador, Brazil from March to April. This experience was invaluable to teaching me the effects of what good and bad design can have on a place and community. It also began a great interest into architecture of developing countries and companies like Architecture for Humanity and similar efforts that focus on responding to the urgent and immediate needs of a focus of architecture within these environments.
My final year project whilst studying my Bachelor of Architecture degree, was marked amongst the highest of year and my project was nominated for the prestigious RIBA Bronze Presidents Medal. My project focussed on manipulating hydroponic farming techniques into architectural and landscape interventions along an abandoned railway bridge and was entitled ‘Machining The Landscape’. Since then it was selected for Aubrey Kurlansky’s RIBA President’s Medal Exhibition at the RIBA Headquarters in London. I have also been awarded the RIBA Walter Parker Bursary that supported my move to Germany and enabled me to travel around Europe when I was not working at the Bolles and Wilson Office during my placement. I have since been asked to write an article for the RIBA Education Yearbook 2011 publication, focusing on my time in Germany at Bolles and Wilson. I moved to Germany in July 2011 and began working under aclaimed Architect, Peter Wilson at the award winning BOLLES + WILSON Architectural studio in Muenster, Germany. I also learnt how to manage multiple projects quickly and efficiently whilst also maintaining high standards to enable to meet deadlines within projects and submissions. It was great to experience these in a professional context as I have been prepared to deal with pressure through my university deadlines and critiques. Whilst at BOLLES + WILSON I assisted the team with all architectural tasks and roles and predominantly worked under the direction of
Chapter 1.
University Studio Projects
Machining The Landscape*
*RIBA Bronze Presidents Medal (Nomination)
My final Year Bachelor of Architecture, titles ‘Machining The Landscape’ was nominated for the prestigious RIBA Bronze Presidents Medal. It was very rewarding being nominated and to be inculded alongside some other great projects. It predominantly looks at manipulating the existing structure of an abandoned viaduct into structural elements that interact with a hydroponic farming systems that transforms the forgotten relic into a living and breathing machine. It is aimed at using farming to provide a catalyst of regeneration into the town of Ilkeston and provide an infrastructure for individuals communities and the town to work together and help provide for themselves. Whilst also creating a strong identity based on production and community, that the town once was famed for, when it was amongst the leaders of the steel industry at the start of the 20th Century.
THE URBAN FABRIC OF ILKESTON
MANIPULATING THE BREATHING FUNCTIONS OF THE HYDROPONIC SYSTEMS INTO LIVING STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS
Modular Dwelling*
*Nationwide Sustainable Housing 2010 (Entry)
The brief was to explore the definition of what ‘sustainability’ meant to you? Was it innovative ‘green’ materials, putting 1 or 2 PV Cells on a roof or maybe something more interesting. My ideas stemmed from modular design that could enable a dwelling to transform for its users. Addition and Subtraction of its living, eating, sleeping and playing spaces meant it was reusable, recyclable and tailored to each individual or family that live in it. I t was to create a formula or living situations that could be applied to any user on any suburban site. My design was for a universal design solution that could answer to any dwelling, any site and any size that was needed. The ability to add and subtract was the beginning of an exploration into this aspect which led to my design having the ability to change its use to its users.
+ MANIPULATING THE BREATHING FUNCTIONS OF THE HYDROPONIC SYSTEMS INTO LIVING STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS
Chapter 4.
Professional Work
BOLLES + WILSON*
*M端nster, Germany August 2011 - February 2012
I have just finished a 6 month Internship at the award winning architects office Bolles + WIlson in Muenster, Germany. At Bolles + Wilson I have worked closely with Peter and I help assist in a large variety of tasks including CAD drawings, visualisations, presentations, graphical content, attended site visits and design workshops with collaborative designers. Whilst also being included in the legalities of project work through costing procedures, construction techniques and planning documents
BOLLES + WILSON AWARD WINNING ARCHITECTURAL PRACTISE THAT HAS RECIEVED WORLDWIDE RECOGNITION UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF ACLAIMED ARCHITECTS PETER AND JULIA-BOLLES WILSON
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Abbentorwall Quartier (Urban Masterplan) Bremen, Germany The Abbentorwallquartier was a project that i was apart of when i first came to Bolles and Wilson. It was my job initially to prepare the competition proposal which we then sent off to the competition jury and later were selected as the winners and would now be developed further alongside real developments that would come as a result of the proposal.
Abbentorswallquartier Neuordnung
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The master plan looks at an urban scale of the city Bremen in Germany, in particular the Deutsche Telekom area in the city centre. The master plan looks at reusing existing buildings and developing new ones to include residential, commercial and public buildings. Such as An apartment building which is the Stadt Terressen, which is City Terraces in English. Which i was also selected to work on and have also included it in its own project. Also art galleries and studio space for artists and designers and a new public plaza.service and routes through the building.
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Galluswarte (Competition Proposal) Galluswarte, Architectural Competition Project This is a sample of work from the Galluswarte project that i worked on with Peter Wilson, Lukas Stellman (An Architect at Bolles + Muenster) and prestigious Landscape Architects, Latz + Partners. It was my responsibility to draw up the design, communicate with Latz + Partners and help present the final project sheets. I was integrated from the inception to completition of the concept of the project. I also was involved in a design workshop alongside Peter Wilson and Tilman Latz to produce the initial concept.
Hindenburgplatz (Urban Planning Proposal) The Hindenburgplatz project was an Urban Planning proposal i worked on whilst at Bolles + Wilson. It was a secretive project at first, as the site is directly infront of one of Munster’s most adored buildings, The Schloss (Castle). It was my job to illustrate and draw up Peter Wilson’s design proposal and together create a package of material that could be used to market athe project in the public eye and also create a platform of debate for the use of the site and possible future scenarios.
REGULAR SITE VISITS TO TRACK PROGRESS OF THE SANKT SEBASTIAN KINDERGARTEN PROJECT
Chapter 5.
Building Communities
Building Communities*
*Workshop in Salvador, Brazil
I was selected to be involved in a slum-based project in Salvador, Brazil from March to April of 2010. It involved me working with architects, planners, social science professionals and professors from all over the world. This experience was invaluable to teaching me the effects of what good and bad design/architecture can have on a place and community.
BUILDING COMMUNITIES WORKSHOP FOCUSSED ON THE INFORMAL SQUATTER SETTLEMENT OF PARAISO IN SALVADOR, BRAZIL
THE INFORMAL SQUATTER SETTLEMENT OF PARASIO, SALVADOR, BRAZIL
Chapter 5. Writing
Reaching Brazil’s Urban Poor: Finding The Most Effective Solution
This is an abstract from my Bachelor of Architecture Dissertation, that was an extension of my time in Brazil investigating the informal squatter settlements. My dissertation was marked amongst the highest of the year and i thoroughly enjoyed delving into my investigation. The dissertation was about the effectiveness of the Brazilian Government, NGOs and the private sector have be compared to identify which organisation or partnership would be the most effective solution to responding to the problems surrounding the urban poor in Salvador. Initial investigations suggested that the Brazilian Government were often directing their attention away from the the urban poor and their crippling debts and complicated bureaucracy resulted in ineffective programs and policies. Although the private sector were in the position to complement Government programs with their financial resources, it was often found that the Government did not utilise this, in favour of more glamorous projects. Both organisations failed to acknowledge the social context of the urban poor but NGOS tailored this knowledge into their program. However, the NGOs legitimacy and accountability often restricted most responses to the urban poor on a large scale. It was concluded that a partnership between all three organisations would be the most effective solution, utilising the strengths of each. However it was found that fundamental issues regarding the government needed to be addressed before an effective partnership could be implemented. This includes the management of the organisation on a surface level and their attitudes towards the urban poor on a deeper level.
DISSERTATION SAMPLE
The analysis into the Brazilian government’s actions highlighted that their policies often do not focus on t he urban poor, but instead only focus on general guidelines of protection and health, whilst ignoring the context in which these people live their lives (Satterthwaite, 1990,24). Their ineffectiveness regarding policies and action at a social or community level (UN-HABITAT, 2007) suggests other institutions such as NGOs could be the solution. Furthermore, the neoliberalism period saw a shift in focus from slum removal and displacement to participatory methods. NGOs are predominantly the main organisation which utilise social and community lead participation in their projects (see figure 5). This chapter will critically analyse approaches, theories and current and past interventions of the NGOs. The failure of the government to provide effective interventions had lead to questions been raised about whether communities should be allowed to build for themselves. UN-HABITAT (2009) emphasise that the residents’ participation in decision making, “is not only a right, but is also instrumental in achieving greater effectiveness and sustainability of housing and slum upgrading” (UN-HABITAT, 2009, 45). It has been argued that a strength of the communities is that they are able to make money for themselves, live in the dilapidated conditions and survive with little food, without effective support from the government. According to Tuan, squatter settlements have always been built socially and may show more awareness of construction than an outsider may think. Neuwirth argues that if they can cope on their own and if the state is not willing to help, then “shouldn’t they have the right to build for themselves?” (Neuwirth, 2005,13). Contrastingly Jenny Seabrook argues, “it would be foolish to pass from one distortion – that the slums are places of crime, disease and despair – to the opposite: that they can be safely left to look after themselves” (Davis, 2007,70). It could be argued that this claim is an example of the continuing stigma attached to the urban poor, and if a focus is given to participatory methods, as favoured by NGOs, a more effective response may be obtained. It has been shown that the government has taken some action but according to Tendler (1982) one of Brazilian government’s biggest weaknesses is that they implement general programs when they should be enforcing specific programmes tailored to the social context of the urban poor communities. This is where NGOs strive, getting involved in the community on a personal level. A
number of NGO approaches are influenced by John F C Turner’s Freedom to Build (1976) book, which focuses on squatter settlements being run in the community with little intervention from the state (Turner, 1976,33). One aspect of NGOs that is often overlooked by the government is the education they provide the occupants about the dangers of their living conditions and how they can improve their quality of life (Frediani, 2008, 145). For example, mosquito’s can breed in cracked septic tanks, drains and latrines and can lead to malaria if bitten by them (World Health Organisation, 2009,43). This can be prevented by adding polystyrene balls in the storage methods, preventing them breeding and therefore decreasing the risk of malaria (UN-HABITAT, 2009,9). This shows that communities already have the potential to be able to cope alone and education and assistance from the NGOs help implement more sustainable solutions. More NGOs are becoming more popular, for example Oxfam had a turnover of 318 million dollars in 2009 and operates in over 70 countries. According to Oxfam’s chief executive Barbara Stockton, the key to their success lies with the regulation and management of the organisation (Stourton, 2011). However, Michael Edwards regards this as another example of ‘organisation over humanitarianism’ (Stourton, 2011). Here, Edwards questions the benevolence of NGOs, arguing that projects are built on good intentions but they often hinder development. For example, when Haiti was subject to a catastrophic earthquake in 2010, it received global media coverage and attracted billions of dollars in pledges. Stourton (2011) argues that the vast media coverage facilitated the creation of more NGOs who aim to help. However, due to their lack of specialism and knowledge, it arguably resulted in a ‘wild-west’ situation, whereby a lack of effective organisation and framework leads to a hindrance in development (Stourton, 2011). Although this quick response is a stark contrast to the long bureaucratic processes of the Brazilian Government (Stourton, 2011), Edwards would argue that this is symptomatic of NGOs, whom have good intentions but often exacerbates problems and hinders solutions. As a result of NGOs ignorance and lack of specialism, their legitimacy as an effective organisation has been questioned (Werlin, 1999). It is possible that NGOs do not need to provide evidence of their integrity because they exist independently from the state, thus a lack of formal regulations allow them to debate without formal evidence. Lisa Jordan of the Ford Foundation argues NGOs should address three types of accountability: effectiveness, organisational reliability and legitimacy questioning.
Chapter 6.
Awards & Press
RIBA Bonze Presidents Medal (Nomination) Machining The Landscape
My final year project whilst studying my Bachelor of Architecture degree, was marked amongst the highest of year and my project was nominated for the prestigious RIBA Bronze Presidents Medal. It was also selected by the RIBA to be exhibited in the Presidents Medals Exhibition at the RIBA London headquarters. My project focussed on manipulating hydroponic farming techniques into architectural and landscape interventions along an abandoned railway bridge and was entitled ‘Machining The Landscape’.
RIBA Exhibition
London Directed by Aubrey Kurlansky
Since then it was selected for Aubrey Kurlansky’s RIBA President’s Medal Exhibition at the RIBA Headquarters in London. The time I spent at University and my recent move to Germany also was included in an article I was asked to write for Lincoln’s Art and Architecture Graduate Directory publication that was presented at the Design Your Future Exhibition in London and Manchester.
RIBA Education Yearbook 2012 Walter Parker Bursary
I was also awarded the RIBA Walter Parker Bursary that supported my move to Germany and enabled me to travel around Europe when I was not working at the Bolles and Wilson Office during my placement. I have since been asked to write an article for the RIBA Education Yearbook 2011 publication, focusing on my time in Germany at Bolles and Wilson. I have since been asked to write an article for the RIBA Education Yearbook 2011 publication, focusing on my time in Germany at Bolles and Wilson.
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t graduated in 2008 from BA (Hons) Animation, ured a dream job working on the latest Walt Disney animator Andrew Stanton.
ly working at Double sual Effects in London on m ‘John Carter of Mars’, ey film by Andrew ar animator and director Nemo’ and ‘WALL-E’ as f the writers of the ‘Toy . My previous projects UL’ and ‘Inception’. speaking I’m an Effects eal with simulating cloth and explosions in s. I work in common 3D ch as Maya and Houdini Double Negative’s own k kit. ghly enjoy my job as it artistic and technical o work with some of the n the industry producing rk in innovative ways.
u get into this job? as a story board artist deos and short films. eat fun as I was working with a small team e to touch on concept, planning, and assistant well as post production e edit of the film. stic and story telling university enabled me d ideas and advice to ctor and director of y. It was extremely
satisfying seeing my drawings and ideas transform into the finished product. As well as storyboarding and live action production, I ran a small medical animation company from home, working directly with clients producing animations that demonstrated new lab equipment. This was enjoyable but difficult as I had to deal with clients who are generally ill-informed about animation and media, which is a common problem. With this work the challenge is political rather than artistic; getting a client to sign off work and stick within agreed deadlines was pivotal to success. It was through these small projects that I got put in touch with an artist at Double Negative. From there I had great guidance on pushing my work in a direction that got me my first job in feature film visual effects, commonly known as VFX. How relevant and useful was your BA at Lincoln? My BA was extremely relevant and useful to me; comparing the skills I had before and after the course, I progressed in leaps and bounds. The main thing my BA helped me with was my artistic eye; an under-
standing of what makes work good or bad has underpinned my development and ability to produce work of high quality. By the third year I was in an amazing situation, working with exciting students and receiving great guidance that helped me make a film I am extremely proud of and which formed the bulk of the work that got me my job today. What was the best thing about studying Animation at Lincoln? Without a doubt the teamwork with other talented students and the high artistic skill of the tutors helped me keep the bar high. When I was underperforming I always knew I could do better as the examples set by tutors were so strong. I believe this is one of the core aspects that drove my quality up though the course. What made you choose Lincoln originally? I chose Lincoln because of the success and work of previous graduates, namely Benji Davies and Jim Fields who are directors for commercials and Darren Rodriguez who is a feature film animator. Interestingly I’m now working on my second film in a row with Darren who worked on ‘PAUL’ with me as well. Graduate Profile
Programme Overview
David McGowan
Architecture BA [Hons] RIBA Part 1
BA (Hons) Architecture graduate, 2011, David McGowan experiences work in an architect’s practice in Münster, Germany.
As Seen On
Blogs, Websites & Publications
The time I spent at University and my recent move to Germany also was included in an article I was asked to write for Lincoln’s Art and Architecture Graduate Directory publication that was presented at the Design Your Future Exhibition in London and Manchester.
I want to tell you about the large transition I have gone through over the last few months, from studying day and night at uni, to graduating in Lincoln Cathedral; from my final year project being nominated for the RIBA Bronze President’s Medal to what it was like to ‘up sticks’ and move to Germany, working at one of my favourite architectural studios, Bolles+Wilson GmbH in Münster, Germany. I finished my third year project and subsequently found out that it was nominated for the RIBA Bronze President’s Medal, which being an avid fan of the work that gets nominated every year, was the perfect ending to my time at Lincoln. However, it also meant I could not easily just switch off from the project and that I had another 3 months to think/question it and play around with it, which as the summer went on, I realised was harder than expected as other things seem to take over. Early September it was finally submitted and the results are to be posted later this year.
Whilst all this was going on, I had moved home, settled into a new life in a country where I didn’t know the language, started my first architectural job and nipped back to Lincoln for graduation. I had worked hard throughout my third year to balance my project work and dissertation with endless amounts of job applications and portfolio changes. This fortunately paid off when I was offered a position at Bolles + Wilson in May. I moved to Germany in late July and started at Bolles + Wilson on 1st August. It is now October and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time so far. I work closely with Peter Wilson and the team here in Münster, predominantly on competition projects. This could mean anything from CAD drawings to creating schematic diagrams, presentations and most importantly being told my English humour does not seem to translate ‘on the continent!’ Other than the endless hours strapped to the computer and drinking coffee, it’s great just to meet people from all over the world and see how things are different in another country and city.
UCAS Code K100
Being ‘on the continent’ it would be rude not to explore it a bit, especially as the trains and busses and even something called “Mitfahrgelegenheit” (which is a kind of organised hitchhiking) make it so easy and you can be in any number of interesting cities in only a few hours. For example a few of us from the office are off to Berlin this weekend to explore the culture over there… mainly the party culture, but that’s beside the point! Anyway, what I will just say to all of you out there who are either in the midst of choosing a university, or at the other end of the scale, currently looking for jobs and work experience, is to consider looking to places other than your home town or ‘The Big Smoke’. There are lots of great opportunities out there all over the world so why not use your aspiring career as an excuse to see some of it.
Design is at the heart of Lincoln’s BA (Hons) Architecture programme. Assessment is through design projects which are developed in small studio groups under the guidance of a design tutor. We think of the studio as a co-operative and productive environment in which the student discovers his or her own voice as a designer. From the outset, the student learns to apply drawing techniques for investigation and communication, together with computer-aided design techniques and hands-on modelling and construction techniques. Studies in history, theory, construction and environment are integrated with design projects. The aim is to help the student acquire a complete toolkit of skills for architectural design and production. The first year programme is designed to release creative potential, explore design processes and lay a foundation of cultural and technical knowledge. The second year programme addresses social, theoretical and contextual issues of living in the contemporary city. Design projects aim to build confidence in responding with imagination, humanity and concern for the environment.
DAVID MCGOWAN A COLLECTION OF WORK