Skills


I continue to work on a variety of projects to learn, practice and expand my skill set:


Steam Bending

I have several years experience bending and twisting complex wooden forms over jigs, using compression straps and free bending for both controlled, repeated manufacture as well as large-scale, abstract purposes.

I regularly work with renowned steam bender Charlie Whinney producing large hotel and restaurant sculptures from Ash & Oak in Cumbria. Notable projects include the design and installation of a 20 x 9m bent wooden sculpture for the restaurant area of the new Mayfair Mandarin Oriental hotel and 5 large sculptures for the newly built Andaz Hotel, Tokyo. We also made bespoke furniture & lighting and installed shopfront window displays for clients such as Harvey Nichols.

I also recently spent 6 months working as part of a small team at Xylotek in Bristol, steam bending a luxury staircase for a private residence in London. This included a variety of techniques as well as research and experimentation to be able to achieve the architect’s complex design. We bent upper and lower balustrades and understair details from 20 and 38mm Ash as well as laminating the stair treads from 3mm Ash lamellas.


CNC Manufacture

I spent 3 years as project manager of a successful London Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) company. Here I designed using Rhino 3D modelling software and fabricated from sheet material using an 8 x 4’ CNC ATC router and laser cutter.

I delivered high-volume batches of furniture for office block fit-outs, delivered repeat batch projects of furniture and van interiors and refined fabrication processes to improve quality, speed and minimize material used/cutting time.

I also consulted clients and helped them turn design ideas into considered designs for CNC manufacture using a variety of materials and tools.

I developed a strong awareness of the wastefulness of the CNC industry and manufacture in general as those designing for a particular method of manufacture often have no knowledge or consideration of how to make the most of the material. This has had a significant impact on the way I design and use materials.

Vernacular Architecture

I have an interest in vernacular architectural construction techniques and aim to gain hands-on experience that can inform my own design process.

In 2019 I took part in a month-long workshop near Erecera, Portugal. Working with an invasive cane species, the course covered harvesting, preparing, binding and utilizing the cane to create long-lasting structures with negligible impact on the environment.

Rhinoceros 3D & Grasshopper

I am competent in Rhino 3D and have used it regularly to 3D model, explore geometries and understand large structures without having to physically realise them, as well as create manufacture ready files.

I have completed Grasshopper Level 1 training with simply Rhino.

I also have experience 3D scanning, laser cutting and 3D printing to realise and rapidly prototype ideas.