ben higham - mini portfolio
DESCRIPTION
Mini PortfolioTRANSCRIPT
CV - Page 1
Artists’ Woodland Studio and Guesthouse - Page 2
‘Hub’ - Page 4
Jazz Club - Page 6
Graduate Accommodation - Page 10
Urban Sanctuary - Page 14
‘Eco’ House - Page 18
Sketching - Page 20
Photography - Page 22
Ben Higham Curriculum Vitae
Leicester School of Architecture, De Montfort University 2006 – 2009BA (Hons) Architecture, First ClassDirection: Each project carefully considered both the context and environmental implications of the design. The final dissertation explored the role of architecture during natural disasters, focusing on disaster mitigating qualities found in architectural design, and the role and responsibility of the architect in implementing these features.
Godalming College, Godalming 2003 - 2005A-Levels: Design & Technology - Product Design: B; Geography: B; Business Studies: B
Glebelands School, Cranleigh 1998 - 2003GCSE: Four A’s, Four B’s; Two C’s
EducationIndustry PracticeLeicester School of Architecture, De Montfort University Oct - Dec 2009Working one day a week at the university providing teaching assistance on the first year BA course. Aiding the students in completing their weekly skills and specialist workshops, as well as providing tutoring on their design projects.
Hill Holt Wood, Lincolnshire Aug - Dec 2009A five month placement with an environmental social enterprise, helping them to establish a design unit focusing on green building techniques. The majority of time was spent designing and constructing an accommodation block, for current and future designed based graduates to live on site. The building mainly utilised materials that were harvested from the site or were over ordered from other projects. As the project leader valuable experience has been gained in budgeting and sequencing of the construction process. The experience gained in the physical construction is something that has been very enjoyable and provide invaluable experience.
PWJ Architects, Cranleigh Jun - Sept 2008A three month summer placement working as an Architectural Assistant in a small, rural practice. This allowed skills gathered in two years of study to be applied on live projects and briefs. Key industrial experience was gained in technical detailing/drafting, operating within budgets and timescales, working with clients, time management, working on multiple projects and the planning process.
Scott Brownrigg, Guildford Dec - May 2006Working as an Architectural Assistant during a five month placement allowed experience to be gained working on live projects that varied in both size and function. Specific roles included production of 3D visualisations, modelmaking, production of presentation documents and tender drawings This pre-university experience provided a grounding in the basic skills and methods of architecture to take into degree level education.
Nye Saunders John Deal Practice, Godalming May 2002A short work placement in a local architecture practice gave a firstintroduction to architecture. Knowledge and skills were gained in the reality of life as a practicing architect, which included client management, site visits and the use of computer modelling as a tool to present concepts and surveys.of 3D visualisations, modelmaking, production of presentation documents and tender drawings.
Further ExperienceStudio In The Woods July 2009A programme that aims to encourage the development of architectural agendas though the construction of installations. Participating in the module run Gianni Botsford and Kate Darby. Working in a group to realise the concept of imprinting an area of established woodland onto a field of saplings.
Building Work, Teaching and Travelling in Ghana, Africa Jun - Jul 2006Gap year participant on a volunteer project to assist the building of a school in a rural Ghana. The main role supported the local people in the day-to-day jobs on the building site, providing invaluable exposure to African life and building techniques completely separate from the western world.
Broad skills and abilities including a keen eye for detail and learn quickly.
Interpersonal and communication skills developed from team based work.
Software: Proficient using: AutoCAD; SketchUp; Rhinoceros 3D; Adobe Creative Suite; Microsoft Office Suite; Bunkspeed Hypershot. Competent using: Grasshopper (for Rhinocerous 3D); Micro GDS; Adobe Dreamweaver.
Proficient model-making skills in a range of media including foam, wood, metal and plastics.
Ability to visually communicate using both sketching and technical drawing.
Skills & Abilites
Life InterestsHockey: A dedicated member of several mens hockey teams. Coaching and captaincy the university 1st team.
Cycling: Enjoying the fitness and adventure aspects of the sport.
Travel: Travelling independently to experience cultures and architecture.
AwardsROK Scholarship, 2009
MAKE Award for Academic Excellence, 2008
Page 1
Artists’ Woodland Studio and Guesthouse Hill Holt Wood, Lincolnshire, UK.
Page 2
This group project was designed with context firmly in mind, the scheme provides a studio space and living quarters for an artist to undertake a residency within a woodland setting. As well as providing guest accommodation for academic visitors to business that also occupies the woodland.
Previous page: View of the building that people will be met with (foreground). Plan (background).
This page: Top - Looking out onto the deck from kitchen and dining area of the living quarters.Middle - Studio space capable of accommodating many disciplines of artist.Bottom: View looking out into the woods from the covered link between the two modules.Background - Rear elevation.
Page 3
‘Hub’ Leicester, UK.
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Located in the dark, bleak, space between two tower blocks in the centre of the multi-cultural city of Leicester this group project generated ‘Hub’. The agenda of ‘Hub’ is intended to reconnect people with their city through connecting places of importance throughout the city. Allowing infomation to be relayed back to user inside ‘Hub’.
Previous page: although dominated by the towers, the ‘Hub’ can be seen from street level, with it’s conduits running over and along the pavements
This page: the high-rise council buildings towering over the ‘Hub’, with it’s conduits escaping over the top of them (top right); linework illustrating the form of the ‘Hub’ (centre).
Page 5
Jazz Club Market Harborough, Leicestershire, UK.
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Conceived with two uses in mind. One to provide a venue to house the local jazz community and the second to support local musicians by offering recording facilities. Designed as a direct response to the neighbouring theatre and historical square it sits in the corner of. The project uses its context to develop its main concepts.The panels that shape the main façades take their form and materiality straight from the neighbouring theatre. The internal finishes draw on the materials and textures that can be found within the context.
Previous page: looking towards the jagged cast iron elevations of the jazz club, and the neighbouring theatre.
This page: the cast iron panels that make up the façade (bottom) are hung off a freestanding framework (middle). The top and bottom of each panel is open, coupled with each panel being at unique angles (right) allows light to penetrate into the main performance/bar space (top).
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Page 8
Previous page: The ironstone wall of the neighbouring theatre provides the inspiration for a feature wall in performance/bar space. A section of the ironstone wall was made (top left). From which a surface scan could be made (middle left) which gave an electronic copy of the cast (bottom left). That scan was then used for the basis of the feature wall (top and bottom right).
This page: context plan, showing the site at the corner of the town’s historical square (top left); aerial view showing light can penetrate the façade through the gaps between the panels (left).
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Graduate Accommodation Hill Holt Wood, Lincolnshire, UK.
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A live, design and build, project undertaken on the first half of the BA placement year, along with two other graduates. Located in the heart of a woodland, the project primarily uses materials that are either: recycled; surplus; or produce of the woodland.Because all of the work was carried out by ourselves the project allowed me to sample first hand the construction process and skills needed to complete a small-scale building.
From the far left of the previous page: the site when we arrived (top); laying of the foundations using left over trench blocks (bottom); beginnings of the recycled frame going up; the surplus tongue-and-groove roof sheathing being attached; waterproofed roof and surplus timber i-beams forming the beginnings of the floor.
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From the far left of the previous page: surplus foil based insulation, fixed with battens, forms an outer insulation layer insulation; coupled with, again surplus, wood chip based insulation in-between the studwork; Douglas Fur: cladding, facia boards and window reveals added along with recycled double glazed units; at the rear of the building is a corridor (left) from which the bedrooms are accessed and also composting toilet (end).
Page 13
Urban Sanctuary Leicester, UK.
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Designed as a place where individuals can replenish their weary souls and communities can celebrate their lives, in a city setting. The project looks to tackle the juxtaposition between privacy and not alienating the surrounding community.
Urban Sanctuary Leicester, UK.
Previous page: aerial view looking along the sanctuary towards the celebration space (foreground); plan (background, both pages).
This page: the brick wall that runs the length of the sanctuary allows the solitude of the residents but without isolating the local community. Each brick in a course is rotated creating visible gaps; the degree of rotation is dependent on the privacy needed behind it. From an acute angle the wall seems solid (left) but as you get closer gaps start to appear (middle), giving glimpses into what is behind (right).
Page 15
The celebration space provides a multiple purpose facility for the local community to utilise. The open-plan hall benefits from natural lighting and can seat up to 300 people.Clockwise from the top left: looking at the elevation facing the residential area, from across the road; the public gardens and courtyard surrounding the building; aerial view.
Page 16
The sanctuary provides the facilities to replenish weary souls. The series of single storey modules provide areas to: sleep, eat, work, read, mediate and talk. All looking out over gardens and the river.
Clockwise from the top: looking down the length of the gardens, with the river to right and the single storey buildings to the left; view looking out to the river from one of the residents’ cells; close up of the group mediation space, constructed out of willow trees and shrubs; private garden flanked on two sides by a cloister, which the cells are accessed from.
Page 17
‘Eco’ House Hill Holt Wood, Lincolnshire, UK.
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This scheme provides sustainable on-site living accommodation within a woodland setting, for the family of an employee of Hill Holt Wood. The design utilises timber harvested on site and makes use of thermal mass and super-insulation to provide suitable living environments.
Previous page: the main form of the house comes from rooms being at varying levels allowing the occupiers to experience their surroundings in a new way.
This page: perspectives showing the house from various angles (top and bottom left); spatial and portioning models (top and middle right); final model (bottom right).
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Sketching All over the place
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Sketching All over the place
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PhotographyHere and there
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PhotographyHere and there
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