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Profile

  • Built-environment professional with 6+ years of international experience delivering planning and Stage 4 packages across housing, heritage, commercial and government schemes, including a 60,000 sf Government HQ. Line manager and Build The Way mentor, leading structured training and supporting early-career development across the practice.

  • Experienced in property and asset management through delivering two SW London refurbishments, managing budgets, contractors, utilities and dispute resolution. Strong coordination skills developed across design delivery and multidisciplinary teams.

  • Active in youth outreach as a mentor for Westminster’s City Lions and engaged in the wider profession through interviewing and critique. Currently pursuing ARB/NCARB licensure with a focus on expanding capabilities in project delivery, stakeholder coordination and client-side leadership.

Selected Career Highlights

  • Rookie Rockstar Award, Child Graddon Lewis (2024) - firm-wide recognition for contributions to the South London masterplan bid, the 60,000 sf Government HQ, and wider leadership including the CGL Windows “I Am Not a Robot” installation, mentoring, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

  • Build The Way Line Manager & Mentor, Child Graddon Lewis (2025) - Selected as a line manager and promoted to mentor for Build The Way, a nine-month entry-level traineeship offering an accessible alternative route into architecture. Led structured weekly coaching, created director-praised training resources, coordinated development plans with directors, and strengthened the programme’s long-term training framework.

  • Residential Refurbishments & Property Management, South West London (2023–24) - Led two £100k flat refurbishments from sourcing and planning through design and construction. Continue to manage both assets, overseeing utility investigations (500%+ water usage spike), a 367-day boundary fence dispute, and routine maintenance.

  • Kasawoo Studio / LOOM, Islington (2024) - Interior design and FF&E coordination for a co-working/members club featured in Vogue, Wallpaper, Frame, OnOffice, and The Spaces.

Education

  • Royal College of Art – MA Interior Design • Head of Programme Prize recipient

  • Cornell University – B.Arch (5-Year Program, RIBA Part I & II Equivalent)

  • The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL – Part 3 (Lecture Series only)

  • Columbia University – Certificate in Construction Management

Professional Memberships & Affiliations

  • NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards) – Member since 2018 • Completed required AXP hours in 2020

  • New London Architecture – NextGen Member (2024–Present)

  • Trinity College London – Associate (ATCL Diploma, Cello Performance, 2012)

Technical skills

  • Advanced: Revit, Rhino, Adobe Creative Suite, Procreate, Enscape, VuCity

  • Intermediate: NBS, COBie, AutoCAD, SketchUp, V-Ray, Twinmotion, MicroStation

  • Beginner: 3ds Max, Grasshopper, Vectorworks

Professional Experience

Child Graddon Lewis • Architectural Assistant • London • March 2024 - Present

  • Pedro Street – Affordable Housing Scheme, Hackney, East London (Stage 2 – May 2025 to June 2025, Nov 2025 - Present)

    • Supported with fully consented Section 73 application and led compliance reviews against ERs, Hackney New Build Design Specifications, Part M, and GLA standards. Produced Stage 3+ elevations, sections, bay studies, and GA plans with structural, MEP, and fire consultants, and contributed to core redesign for M4(2)/M4(3) compliance.

    • Took on expanded technical scope across multiple packages: coordinated External Doors (PAS 24/SBD, FD30S, glazing, ironmongery), authored project NBS specifications (doors, kitchens, lifts, stairs), developed kitchen layouts and end-panel strategies, and produced stairs and lift documentation covering Part K/M, finishes, clearances, and accessibility. Strengthened technical detailing, specification writing, and multi-disciplinary coordination.

  • Pre-Application & Feasibility Study (Stage 0-1) – Office to Residential Building Conversion, East Croydon • February 2025 - Present - Independently delivered two Pre-Application packages for the potential conversion of an office building into residential and co-living uses. Researched planning policy, analysed site and context, and tested views using VuCity to assess development potential and shape massing strategies. Explored multiple feasibility scenarios through test-fit layouts, unit metrics, and diagrammatic studies. Produced plans, diagrams, and presentation material to support design reviews and early client decisions.

  • Government HQ Building in Portsmouth (Stage 2 - Stage 4) • July 2024 - August 2025

    • Produced ~70% of planning drawings (elevations, bay studies, sections, plans) and authored Inclusive Design Guidelines comparison benchmark influencing compliance strategies. Delivered research-led due diligence (e.g. bird deterrence) that shaped façade design.

    • At Stages 3–4, coordinated and delivered full drawing packages (plans, sections, elevations, RCPs, schedules, fire strategy, signage, façade/windows/roof). Led 95% of VE drawing updates, maintaining ER and BREEAM Outstanding compliance.

    • Independently resolved complex technical issues (stair balustrades, façade panel scheduling errors, omitted glass balustrade package).

    • Advanced Revit workflows—resolved NIA/GIA discrepancies, introduced colour-coded elevation filters, and supported delivery across packages.

    • Coordinated with consultants and contractors—fielded 15+ queries (ironmongery, access flooring, louvre free area), supported with BREEAM compliance reviews (U-values), and secured client sign-off. Introduced issuance trackers and change-annotation systems adopted team-wide.

    • The project achieved unanimous planning consent in Nov 2024 but was curtailed in 2025 due to government austerity measures. I supported the practice in adapting swiftly—maintaining developer continuity, pivoting resources to other sites, and ensuring our work remained at a professional standard amidst uncertainty.

  • Station Road, Mixed Use Development in Harrow (Stage 2) • March 2025 - April 2025 - Produced 67 planning drawings independently, a sixfold increase from the previous year’s contribution, demonstrating significant growth in technical proficiency (particularly in Revit). Delivered elevations, bay studies, sections, and plans for planning submission, and resolved NIA/GIA discrepancies while fielding client queries to ensure clarity and compliance.

  • Mixed-Use Masterplan – Purfleet on Thames • January 2025 - February 2025 - Supported Stage 0 feasibility studies for a proposed town centre masterplan integrating residential, educational, and public realm uses. Produced rapid visualisations, massing studies, and illustrative diagrams for early client engagement. Collaborated with senior team members on density, phasing, and tenure mix, contributing to high-level design and viability assessments.

  • Confidential Masterplan Bid in South London (Stage 0) • March 2024 - August 2024 - Contributed to the design of a mixed-use masterplan bid by producing illustrative visuals, diagrams, sections, and graphics using SketchUp, Procreate, and Photoshop, applying a distinctive hand-drawn style. Collaborated with directors and the developer on costing exercises across multiple tenure types. Conducted due diligence and scheduling for a 650-unit scheme, calculating GIA, GEA, and NIA using Excel, Revit, and CAD, supporting key feasibility and viability decisions.

  • Minor Alterations & Refurbishments - Vision Express Stores (Stage 4, Sept 2025–Present) • September 2025 - Present - Independently produced tender packages for 18+ UK sites, managing drawings, consultant coordination, documentation, and construction support for patch-and-match alterations.

Chris Dyson Architects • Architectural Assistant & Interior Designer • London • Jul 2022 – Mar 2023

(Summer Contract Jul–Sep 2022; Returned Nov 2023–Mar 2024)

  • Devonshire Square – Grade II Listed Georgian Townhouse (Office & Residential Refurbishment, 5,100 sf) • Stages 4–5 - Joined during construction phase, supporting drawing and schedule updates. Produced fire strategy plans, electrical setting-out drawings, and coordinated sanitaryware, lighting, decoration, and door schedules.

  • Flitcroft Street – Music & Arts Venue (8,700 sf) • Stages 2–6 - Produced base drawings from survey information and submitted licensing plans to Camden Council. Coordinated with the building surveyor to resolve discrepancies and maintain drawing accuracy through design and construction.

  • Belsize Lane – Grade II Listed Victorian House Extension (Stages 2–3) - Led design documentation for a two-storey extension, producing plans, sections, elevations, collages, and details in MicroStation and Photoshop for client and planning submissions. Authored the Design and Access Statement and prepared all planning drawings. Coordinated with heritage, lighting, and energy consultants on four major design presentations, and supported pre-application feedback with precedent and policy research across Camden, Islington, and Kensington.

Kasawoo • Interior Designer (Part Time) • London • April 2023 - September 2023

  • LOOM Club – Collaborated on interiors and FF&E for LOOM, a startup neighbourhood club combining fitness, co-working, and social spaces. Attended weekly site meetings and supported construction administration to ensure design intent through delivery. Project is featured in Vogue, Wallpaper, Frame and The Spaces.

Project Management, Client Representation & Freelance Architectural Services • Part Time • London/New York • September 2019 - Present

  • Property Management - Resolved a 367-day boundary fence dispute across 9 flats, securing full replacement and creating an audit trail later used by the managing agent. Investigated a 500%+ water-usage spike, commissioning leak detection and coordinating Thames Water, contractors and residents. Led pest-control escalation and contractor coordination for a building-wide issue. Oversaw internal entrance-door replacement and compliance checks. Manage ongoing maintenance and act as lead resident–contractor liaison.

  • Planning Application • September - October 2024 - Completed drawings package and planning submission for AC installation on a flat’s rear elevation. Achieved full planning permission in Apr 2025.

  • Client Representative, Property Sourcing & Residential Refurbishment • March 2023 - July 2024 - Delivered two full refurbishments of 2BR flats (Clapham Old Town & Abbeville Village). Represented overseas clients from property sourcing to completion, producing tender documents, specifications, and coordinating consultants, contractors, and freeholders. Projects included adapting a home for aging in place and reconfiguring a Victorian flat for a young professional.

  • Interior Architect & Visualiser • September - October 2019 - Sourced FF&E, finishes, and façade options for a 6-bedroom home. Built a 3D model and produced visualisations (Rhino, Enscape, Photoshop) to support client decisions and tender documentation.

Gensler • Architectural Assistant • New York • Jul 2018 – May 2020
(Architectural Assistant • May–Aug 2017)

  • AT&T Xandr HQ – Corporate Interiors, NYC — Supported design across all phases of a major HQ fit-out; contributed to five client presentations, led tender documentation for one half of the building, and independently developed the office pantry package. Assisted with construction documents, sketches, RFIs, and joinery/finish reviews.

  • Financial Services Firm HQ – Buffalo, NY — Supported design and delivery of a multi-floor headquarters, producing space planning, tender documentation, and visualisations. Designed the feature stair, a key architectural element.

  • Financial Services Firm – Hong Kong (FF&E & Design Development) — Assisted with FF&E selection, showroom coordination, and finish/furniture presentations tailored to the client’s hospitality-driven workplace strategy.

  • Small Renovations – Lead / Solo Project Architect — Led multiple corporate interior renovations (Deloitte Harborside, Capital One, Ares Capital, Deloitte Charlotte), managing tender and filing drawings, consultant coordination, documentation, and construction support.

  • One Citi HQ – NYC (Part I) — Supported design development and documentation for the client centre, contributing to FF&E presentations, renderings, and construction packages.

Earlier Experience • Architectural Assistant

  • Slade Architecture • New York • Sep 2016 – Nov 2017 — Supported workplace and retail fit-outs, developing user experience diagrams, storefront layouts, and custom joinery.

  • Llewelyn Davies • Hong Kong • May – Aug 2014 — Produced schematic design drawings and renderings for education and civic projects, including The Quarry Bay School and Hong Kong University Library.

Leadership

  • Build The Way • Mentor & Manager • London • Oct 2025 - Present

    • Selected as a line manager and later promoted to Build The Way mentor, contributing to the firm’s management training pathway. Build The Way is a nine-month entry-level traineeship offering an accessible alternative route into architecture and the built environment.

    • Led structured weekly coaching for the trainee, strengthening communication, workflow understanding, confidence and foundational technical skills.

    • Created clear, reusable training resources including a director-praised Portfolio Best Practice workshop, communication guides, meeting-minute templates, glossary learning tools and research exercises.

    • Coordinated development planning with directors and project architects, ensuring balanced project exposure while reducing senior review time. Enabled wider studio engagement through CPD coordination, Pedro Street project involvement, 3D-printing and modelling efforts, marketing collaboration and NLA NextGen networking opportunities.

    • Built a development tracking system covering skills, behaviours and project exposure, establishing a repeatable mentoring framework for future trainees.

  • Child Graddon Lewis • Leadership in Firm-wide Initiatives • London • March 2024 - Present

    • Rookie Rockstar Award (Dec 2024) – recognised as Outstanding Newcomer for exceptional initiative, leadership and delivery across multiple projects at CGL.

    • London Festival of Architecture – pitched and co-led delivery of the winning “I Am Not a Robot” installation, featured on CGL’s website and social channels and strengthening the firm’s public presence.

    • Firm-wide Training & Upskilling – created practical, reusable training resources (Portfolio Best Practice workshop, communication guides, meeting-minute templates and glossary frameworks), improving clarity, consistency and confidence across early-career development.

    • Knowledge Sharing – led a nine-person team in a Monday Morning Meeting presentation on the Palliser Road project, helping improve technical understanding and cross-team coordination.

    • Industry Engagement for Juniors – initiated and organised opportunities for junior staff to engage with NLA NextGen and sector events, widening professional exposure and supporting early career progression.

    • Mentorship & Outreach – mentored work-experience students and co-led Westminster Council’s City Lions architecture workshop for Year 8 students, fostering confidence, creative skills and access to the built environment.

    • Studio Culture – co-led the firm’s “Masterbake” initiative, strengthening team cohesion, morale and community across the practice.

  • Inside/Out Lecture Series • Leader • London • Sept 2021 - Sept 2023

    • Headed the RCA’s only student-led lecture series, leading a 5-person team to deliver bi-weekly talks with renowned designers including Annabelle Selldorf, André Fu, Beata Heuman, Jayden Ali, and Lina Ghotmeh. Managed invitations, logistics, marketing, and university liaison, with events ranging from intimate discussions to webinars with 1,300+ attendees. Coordinated the 2023 finale at the Serpentine Pavilion (123 attendees) with senior university leadership and the Serpentine team. Under my leadership, in-person attendance grew by 1180% and Zoom registration by 4900%, driven by targeted outreach and digital strategy.

  • Royal College of Art • Class Elected Program Representative • London • Sept 2021 - Sept 2023

    • Elected by peers to represent the MA Interior Design cohort for two consecutive years, advocating for studio improvements and co-leading a petition that secured upgraded furniture, model-making space, and storage. Collaborated with the Student Union to extend studio/shop hours (from 9am–8pm to 9am–11pm). Delivered orientation workshops for new students and portfolio development sessions for 50+ incoming master’s students, drawing on prior admissions interviewing experience.

  • Gensler • Leadership in Firm-wide Initiatives • New York • Sept 2018 - May 2020

    • At Gensler, I founded a quarterly networking event for 150+ emerging professionals across 8+ firms, earning an invitation to the AIA Women in Architecture Committee. I presented my Alzheimer’s research to Gensler’s Inclusivity Network (50+ attendees), later invited to pitch a proprietary product. I also co-led firm-wide Happy Hours for 700+ staff and served as Social Committee Lead for a 45-person studio, organising regular events that strengthened culture and collaboration despite limited budgets.

  • Groundswell x Gensler • Project Leader • New York • May 2017 - Aug 2017

    • Groundswell 500th Mural Installation, New York — Led a Summer Studio team to deliver an award-winning pro bono installation featured in Architectural Digest. Designed a system of paint-can labels celebrating 100+ past murals, symbolising the medium that brought them to life. One of four teams selected for public display.

  • Cornell Council for the Arts • Two Time Grant Recipient • Ithaca, NY • May 2015 - April 2017

    • Selected to collaborate with artist Caroline Woolard to design furniture for the CCA Biennale in 2016. Grant recipient for the exhibition, ‘Doors’ (Spring 2017). Link to projects here.

Publications & Exhibitions

  • Loom Club, Islington (with Kasawoo) – Featured in Vogue, Wallpaper, FRAME, OnOffice, and FX Magazine (2024–25).

  • Royal College of Art – Exhibited at Graduate Show & Online Showcase, Truman Brewery (2023); Open Studios/WIP Shows (2022–23). Projects also featured on @Models_Architecture (113k followers, 2022) and in the RCA Newsletter.

  • Royal Academy – Translations | John Hejduk's Prison House exhibited at the Ronald and Rita McAulay Gallery (Mar–May 2022).

  • Xandr, New York (with Gensler) – Recognised by Crain’s New York Business (“Coolest Offices in NY – Retrofit”, Dec 2020) and finalist in NYCxDESIGN Awards (Corporate Office, May 2020).

  • Madame Architect – Featured in “Creative Complements” and “Day’s With” series on emerging designers (Aug 2020).

  • Architectural Digest – Groundswell 500th mural project recognised in “These Designs Have Made the World a Better Place” (Dec 2017).

  • Association Vol. 8 & 12 – small.family drawings featured (2021) and Typhoon Submarine competition entry (2016).

  • Model Perspectives: Structure, Architecture & Culture – CRAB Studio’s Abedian School of Architecture model featured (2016).

  • Cornell Journal of Architecture | Issue 10: Spirits – Editor (youngest in journal’s history), 2014–15.

Voluntary Roles

  • City Lions, Westminster Council – Mentor (Nov 2025–Present) - Selected by CGL to mentor a 14/15-year-old student through City Lions, a creative youth programme providing early exposure to careers in design, culture and the built environment. Support includes 1-2x a month, portfolio development, architectural thinking and confidence-building.

  • Cornell University – B.Arch Interviewer (Oct 2020–Present) - Selected to interview and recommend candidates for Cornell’s Bachelor of Architecture program.

  • Royal College of Art – Guest Critic & Future Practices Panel (Jul 2024) - Reviewed student work, led mock interviews, and shared insights on transitioning to professional practice.

  • Industry Networking Initiative, New York (2018–19) - Founded and ran quarterly networking events for 150+ young architects across 10+ firms.

  • Open House New York – Volunteer (2016) - Led public tours of 26 Broadway, highlighting architectural history and urban context.

Related Experience

  • small.family • Freelance illustrator (Part Time) • London • June 2020 - August 2024 - Founded small.family, a hand-drawn architectural figure collection challenging the lack of diversity in renderings. Produced custom entourage illustrations for clients including David Baker Architects. Built skills in self-marketing, client management, and running a profitable side business.

  • Retail & Customer Experience Roles • London • Oct 2021 – Sept 2023 - Worked part-time alongside studies in customer-facing roles at the Royal College of Art Shop and Lululemon. Advised students and customers on products and processes, maintained strong relationships, and consistently delivered excellent service under pressure. Responsibilities included sales transactions, inventory management (Shopify), and curating seasonal or visually engaging displays. Recognised for boosting sales conversions and revenue while embodying brand values of inclusion, diversity, and community.

  • Chinese Exploration and Research Society • Cultural Preservation Intern • Yunnan, China (Tibetan Border)/Hong Kong • May 2015 - Dec 2015 - Camera Assistant for National Geographic explorers at three CERS expedition sites. Assisted in the documentation of Tibetan vernacular housing and villages.

  • Cornell AAP • Teaching & Media Roles (Part-Time) • Ithaca, New York • Jan 2014 – Aug 2017 - Served as Digital Fabrication Teaching Assistant, training students on laser cutting, CNC milling, and 3D printing tools, while maintaining safe and effective workshop use. Concurrently appointed Student Photographer for AAP events, lectures, reviews, and study-abroad programs in Rome (2015) and NYC (2016). Nominated as head of media/documentation for graduating class, managing the school’s visual identity across social media and web platforms. Gained expertise in DSLR photography, Adobe Photoshop, and Lightroom batch editing.

  • Luthier Hong Kong • Woodworking Apprentice (Part-Time) • Hong Kong • Aug 2011 - Aug 2012 - Apprenticed under luthier (Kelvin Cheng) and assisted in the restoration and repair of clarinets and lutes. Built and designed an electric cello for women. The project was awarded the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program Personal Project Award 2010/2011.

Recent Upskilling

  • CIC/CSCS Health & Safety Exam – Construction Industry Council (Oct 2024–Oct 2029)

  • Fundamentals of Gerontology – American Society on Aging & USC Davis School of Gerontology

  • Introduction to Marketing – University of Pennsylvania (Jun–Jul 2020)

  • Disability Awareness and Support – University of Pittsburgh (Jun–Oct 2020)

  • An Introduction to Accessibility and Inclusive Design – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Jun–Oct 2020)