HOLLY GWAZDACZ Bsc(Hons) MArch PGCert RIBA

PERSONAL INFORMATIONI am a Bristol based Chartered Architect with over 10 years working in Architectural practice. I have experience in the residential sector (private and affordable) as well as education, sports and community sectors. With Alec French Architects, I was involved in the award winning development Wapping Wharf - one of the biggest residential development schemes the city has seen in recent years.

I greatly enjoy concept and design development and have the experience and skill required to advance a project to detailed design stage, oversee a project on site and administer the contract. I am passionate about creating architecture that is driven by strong social considerations and the pursuit of environmentally sustainable design. I truly believe that good architecture has the power to enrich your life!

SKILLSDesign and technical:Great design skills throughout conceptual process and design development. Good technical knowledge, resourceful problem solver and creative thinker.

Drafting and modelling:Excellent knowledge of Revit, AutoCAD and SketchUp.

Architectural tools:Proficient use of NBS specification writer, NBS Create BuildDesk U value calculations.

Adobe Suite:Very experienced in Photoshop and InDesign.

IT:Excellent computer skills. Confident using PC and Mac. Experienced in standard programs such as Microsoft office suite. Keen and quick to learn new software.

E-mail: hollygwazdacz@gmail.comOnline Portfolio: www.hgarchitecture.co.uk

Mobile: Available on requestReferences: Available on request

Legislation:Detailed knowledge of current Building regulations, British standards and JCT contracts. Detailed experience of (the now superseded) HQIs, lifetime homes and the wheelchair housing design guide.

Team and management:Able to work independently and with a team. Good time management and people skills. Reliable.

Presentation/Communication:Clear and concise communication within projects. Confident and articulate presentation of ideas and schemes. Effective, persuasive report writing.

Other:Conversational Spanish, first aid in the workplace, staff social secretary, organisation of volunteering events.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCEResidential Wapping Wharf, Bristol | Alec French ArchitectsThe first and second phase of a landmark regeneration project in the centre of Bristol, which will provide 523 apartments, including penthouses, affordable housing, retail space and new pedestrian routes to Bristol’s historic waterfront.

Live/Work Barn Extension, Devon | GSS ArchitectureAn extension to a rural barn conversion in Devon. This project was responsive to the client’ career as a journalist. The staircase tot he workspace also functions as a bookcase to store and display the client’s extensive book collection.

CARE development, Devizes | GSS ArchitectureScheme for a care home development in Devizes, designed to Lifetime Homes and stringent space standards. The client was keen to optimise the existing landscape within the scheme.

Bradfield Way, Chard | GSS ArchitectureA sheltered accommodation scheme consisting of 62 one and two bedroom apartments for the elderly. The building was designed to become a flagship development for Yarlington Housing Group, providing a modern and sympathetic design on a former brownfield site.

St George’s Avenue, Yeovil | GSS ArchitectureA development of 95 Affordable houses and keyworker accommodation on a brownfield site in Yeovil.

Community / Arts Barton Hill Community Centre, Bristol | GSS ArchitectureExtension and refurbishment to an existing community centre in Bristol. The aim of the project was to provide more office space for staff and outreach programmes while enhancing the currently under used courtyard garden.

Point of View Film School, Bristol | University of BathAn ethnographic Film School and Community Cinema in Redcliffe, Bristol. My thesis titled ‘Point of View’ aims to change the viewer’s (occupant’s) perception of people and place through filmic experiences.Often through role reversal of the viewer and viewed it aims to make the viewer aware of themselves in their environment by offering a different perspective of people, places, and how the two interact.

River’s Edge Artists’ Studios | University of BathA complex of artists’ studios and shared gallery space along the river’s edge in Saltford. Fundamental aims were to preserve the wild nature of the site and to provide inspiring light conditions. The studios have been designed to allow for seasonal flooding on the site, during which time the studios and walkways will be above the river level.

Percy Community Centre, Bath | GSS ArchitectureA feasibility study for the expansion of a community centre in Bath. The design provides community sports facilities, staff rooms and function spaces linked back to the original building via a bridge.

Wapping Wharf - Show apartment

Wapping Wharf, Bristol

Percy Community Centre, Bath

Bradfield Way, Chard

River’s Edge Artists’ Studios

Point of View Film School, Bristol

Point of View Film School, Bristol

Harper adams university college - residential study centre -visualisation gssarcHitecture

Bedroom facilities:

double or twin beds

Bedside tables with lamps

large wardrobe with full length mirror

desk study area with shelves

television connected to cable

Wifi, data points and electrical sockets

Bathroom including toilet, wash basin, bath and shower over bath with glazed screen.

timber furniture and

louvers establish the link

between internal and external

materials as well as creating a

warm and high quality interior.

timber louvers cast striking shadows across the room

throughout the day.

the louvers enable the occupants

to adjust the space to the

level of light or privacy they

desire.

douBle Bedroom layout

dinning room corner illumination across tHe garden

approacH across tHe garden Function room pavilion

“tread lightly upon this earth”connecting with nature through use of local

materials and gentle approach

Day time reflections and contrast of heavy and light materials

illumination of the garden with light patterns created by louver

timber louvers internally on bedroom windows and used externally on function room windows.

locally sourced materials to be used.

solar panels could be added to the south facing roof.

concrete will provide thermal mass and use of good insulation.

solar heating and natural ventilation.

rainwater harvesting and use of copper rWps.

Flexibility in the future.Underfloor heating supplied by anaerobic digester.

solar shading provided by timber louvers.

use of recyled and recylable materials.

materials:

sustainaBility:

locally sourced timber cladding used horizontally and vertically.

local timber or oak shingles used on the function rooms roof and wall cladding.

local stone to be used in wall separating courtyard from service area. provides a striking contrast to the timber

ivory coloured render used in panels with vertical timber cladding on the residential accommodation

Sport Elite Cricket and Golf Centre, Somerset | GSS ArchitectureThe concept behind this competition winning design was to preserve the heritage and beauty of the existing grounds and create a striking building embedded in the landscape.

Revealed as a bold, sculptural cut of stone, the scheme provides a fitting platform to showcase the intense work and personal development that is undertaken by the pupils. Its inverted nature provides a highly focused training atmosphere to support the pursuit of excellence.

Education University Conference Facilities | GSS ArchitectureCompetition entry for new postgraduate conference facilities for a rural agricultural university. Our design and team reached finalist stage.

Autism and SEN Centre, Leicester | GSS ArchitectureRefurbishment to provide new autism and SEN facility for an existing school in Leicester.

The challenge of this project was to provide comprehensive SEN facilities within the shell of the existing gym.

Volunteering Escuela de La Victoria, Cusco, Perú | Maximo NivelI was part of a team of volunteers working together to build a school in a small village outside Cusco in Perú.

The school was constructed using traditional methods and materials such as locally made adobe mud bricks, mud mortar, clay tiles, eucalyptus timber, bamboo and stone. Daily tasks included adobe brick laying, stripping timbers, fixing bamboo lath, plastering, lots of digging and general site work. My time in Cusco was physically tough (especially at 3,500m altitude) but extremely rewarding and a wonderful experience. Escuela de La Victoria, Cusco

Escuela de La Victoria, Cusco

Abra Station, Dubai

Conference Centre Competition

Elite Cricket and Golf Centre, Somerset

EMPLOYMENT HISTORYAHR | Project Architect: May 2016 - present

Hg Architecture | Director: Dec 2015 - present

Alec French Architects | Project Architect: Apr 2016

Maximo Nivel Cusco, Peru | Construction Volunteer: Nov 2012 - Feb 2013

GSS Architecture | Project Architect: Sep 2007 - Oct 2012

Hetreed Ross Architects | Architectural Assistant: Apr 2005 - Sep 2005

GSS Architecture | Architectural Assistant: May 2004 - Aug 2004

QUALIFICATIONSPGC Professional Practice (RIBA Part 3) | 2010-2011: University of Bath

MArch (RIBA Part 2) | 2007-2009: University of Bath

BSc (Hons) Architecture (RIBA Part 1) | 2002-2006: University of Bath

PERSONAL STATEMENTThrough architectural practice I am keen to continue challenging and improving my creative ideas and myself. I have a great interest in creating architecture that is driven by strong social considerations and the pursuit of environmental design.

In 2008 I was involved in the Architectural Humanities Research Association international Conference held at the University of Sheffield on the subject of ‘Agency’. Along with Flora Samuel (MArch director of studies), I presented a lecture entitled ‘Local Authority - Redcliffe Futures’. We discussed the filmed interviews we had carried out with members of the local community, and their potential to improve engagement with the local community and promote local-led projects. The Agency conference was a great experience as it gave me the chance to write and present a lecture to a large number of people on a subject that I feel passionately about. It was also a great opportunity to hear so many interesting speakers throughout the conference.

In my dissertation I investigated further the use of film as a tool for site analysis and as a means to communicate and engage with the public. This gave me a chance to consider social engagement in architecture from many levels and sparked an interest in me that I wish to pursue.

My thesis project explored the use of film and filmic experiences as a means of creating social interactions and changing preconceptions of people and places. I found it extremely useful to have the thesis, acting as constant theme through the entire design process, informing every aspect. It enabled clarity of thought and helped me to develop architectural theories. I wish to continue my exploration of this field through my professional career and put my studio theories into practice.

I am also extremely passionate about my hobbies, which include surfing, diving, travelling, photography and architecture. I am happiest when I can combine all of these, and whenever I travel abroad or the UK I try to take my camera, sketchbook and surfboard.

I have taken many opportunities to travel and have visited many interesting and inspiring places. I especially enjoyed surfing world famous waves in Indonesia and Australia, experiencing cultural differences in China, visiting Angkor Wat in Cambodia, exploring Inca and Maya ruins in Central and South America, working as a surf instructor in California and learning to be a bilingual builder in Peru. Travelling solo has also given me the chance to meet amazing people from all over the world and gain confidence and independence.