Robert McCaughan
Image: Canal Living- Housing model for Suzhou, China
CV
Education MArch. Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen.
Oct. 2013 - May 2015
BA Hons. Ulster University, Belfast.
Oct. 2009 - Jun. 2012
A-Levels. R.B.A.I., Belfast.
Sept. 2001 - Jun. 2009
My Part 1 was a whirlwind of trial and errors, mistakes and failures, and, mercifully, occasional successes. Learning came from making mistakes and often repeating them in front of exasperated tutors. I knew I had a passion and drive to produce good architecture- in whatever form that wasand I made it my aim to improve my skills. Later during my Part 2 I became confident and comfortable presenting my work at any stage during the design process. My year out was incredibly useful in my development as a student. I found it easy to share ideas with other likeminded individuals, and learn from them. It was my first prolonged experience of working in an office, and gave me an insight into what it means to work as an architect. Other interests of mine include participating in my local church, and playing hockey for Instonians. This year I began captaining the 2nd XI. Other notable events: World Challenge Expedition (Delhi, 2008), Joint leader of the Senior CU (2007), Bronze Duke of Edinburgh (2006).
Experience in Practice Arcus Architects, Belfast.
Feb. 2016- Present
Arcus Architects is a small practice based in South Belfast, who do work across various sectors, focusing mainly on housing. A lot of my work has involved working on Building Control and Planning drawings. We occasionally run for competitions, which I have found particularly constructive. The opportunity to test skill sets, along with the challenge to become more effective, have made for a profitable learning environment. I have had to focus on details- the design and manufacture of various elements of the design- from
bathroom layouts to front door canopies to planter boxes and hand rails, and how these elements meet statutory requirements- an area that I had previously avoided! Directed by principal architect, Philip Lee BA(Hons), DipAAS, ARCUK, RIBA. Projects: BSCR Office renovation (Project value: £750,000), College Gardens apartments (Ongoing), Central Station Bakery Kiosk (Ongoing).
2020 Construction Mgmt., Belfast.
Feb. - Aug. 2013 | Oct. 2015 - Present
I initially started working for 2020 CM during my Part 1 and have continued to work for them following my Part 2, on a part time basis. My boss, who is an architect with over 25 years experience and previously established 2020 Architects, has now taken on a number of significant consultancy roles and regularly requires technical support, much of which he has entrusted to me. The projects span across Northern Ireland, London, Glasgow, Manchester and even further afield in Romania. His tutorage has been invaluable and I have been presented with working opportunities that I may not have found otherwise. I have travelled to London and Derby for project meetings and survey work, and prepare and submit Planning & Building Control applications. I am currently working on a house in Strabane, and church extension in Aberdeen. Notable projects: Retail Trust Estate Redevelopment, Derby (Project value: £3.5m), House Extension, Belfast (value: £90,000), Chalet new build, Ballymena (value: £250, 000).
Rapport Architects, Belfast.
Sept. - Oct. 2014 / Sept. - Oct. 2015 I have worked for Rapport Architects a number of times in short spells. I initially joined Rapport Architects in one of my summers at home, and was able to carry out a survey of a church and complete existing drawings. Since then, I have worked on SketchUp for a large department store redevelopment, amongst other things. Rapport Architects has a mass of experience and have attracted high profile city centre projects. The practice was awarded the BBC ‘House of the Year’ Award in 2011. Personal involvement: Dromore residential masterplan (project est.: £8m), Victoria Square Roof Plant Rearrangement, Middleton Building Belfast (ongoing).
Urban Design International, Shenzhen, China.
Nov. 2012 - Feb. 2013
I was thrilled with the chance of working in China, and spent a swift three months in Shenzhen in the south east, working for UDi, before taking a short trip to Beijing and Shanghai. UDi is an urban design and architecture company, est. 1995 by a British architect, and has enjoyed being a part of the rapidly moving construction industry in China. I joined the office of about 20-30 employees along with another Part 1 student in November 2012. By the time I left three months later, I was full of energy and new skills that I was keen to put to work back home. Despite the language difficulties and relatively short period that I was there, I made friends that I am still in touch with today, who were very helpful to me, particularly with my CAD skills. I worked on a range of tasks on large scale projects and, at times, participated in project ‘crits’. Some of the masterplans were over 1000 ha- vast swathes of development, and that was a good experience to have, before going into my part 2 the following year.
Information SOFTWARE
Experienced in AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite (all) and Google SketchUp. Basic knowledge of ArchiCAD. Reference
Irwin McNeill, Rapport Architects, Belfast. E: imcneill@rapportarchitects.com T: +44 (0)28 9082 0900 Sam Thompson, 2020 Construction Mgmt Ltd., Woodstock Rd., Belfast. E: sam@2020consult.co.uk T: +44 (0) 7875 550001
portfolio web address: http://issuu.com/robmccaughan/
contact: A: 21 Clontonacally Rd, Carryduff, Belfast, BT8 8AQ M: +44 7885 743309 E: robmccaughan@gmail.com