Firstly I'm not sure if I'm breaching the terms and conditions of this forum so I apologise in advance if I am.

I'm an Architectural Technologist, who is about to take a change in employment, I am therefore looking for opportunities to work more closely and in depth within the sustainability market. I'm looking at all areas, whether it be design or construction.

I'm unforunately restricted to commuting distance of sheffield - so leeds, lincoln, manchester, derby.

If the demand is there then I intend to turn Freelance, which will allow me to be more diverse and available.

Is there a demand? and does anyone have any projects which they need additional man power on?

Contact Amazonails in Todmorden. They may be interested.

are you suggesting that Dai should have dropped the word 'multifoil' in very small type into his question to push the thread on to lots of pages?


Dai,

it is often a process of recession that there are lots of small start-up companies - in greater numbers than in booming times, as people are made redundant and take the opportunity to strike out on their own, either because they want to, or out of necessity.

Have you considered finding a like-minded Architect to team up with?
Probably easier said than done, and clearly risky, but the market for sustainable design is only going to go one way.

hi Dai,
This is a first for me. I'm new to this forum, but if its muck and a bit of graft you are after, I'm about to start re- furbishing my heating and domestic hot water systems to log wood gasification. I'm in N Yorks,- maybe a bit far for you but you may be interested? I'm a Yorkshireman so "owt fer nowt" is allus a good deal, but we'll see thee reet wi grub and banter.

Tobias - "Chartered Architectural Technologists provide architectural design services and solutions. They are specialists in the science of architecture, building design and construction and form the link between concept and construction. They negotiate the construction project and manage the process from conception through to completion." (Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists)
Sounds more like a Mechanical/Services engineer querie than an AT querie when it comes to the heating system. But the key thing to note when it come to insulation is that the sustainability of having 300mm and not 400mm can be greater, there is a point at which the benefits of extra insulation is out-weighted by the cost and environmental impact. I'd reccomend sticking to natural insulations such as Sheepswool or recycled paper. But I'm sure you've got a decent knowledge about insulation already just from reading the thousands of threads.

Owlman - Where in N. Yorks? Sounds like fun, could do with some graft! Give me some more details and we'll stoke the fire so to speak.

StuartB
A bit more do-ers as well as just think-ers I guess. Certainly Dai doesen't seem to be scared off by the word graft.

For Dai, to answer your question I'm between York and Malton. I've researched my system for some time and cherry
picked components from various sources to suit my own criteria of build quality etc. I'm awaiting delivery of the
first load from Austria as I write. I'm taking out the existing domestic hot water supply,- (airing cupboard cylinder
cold water supply tank etc.), and replacing it with a mains fed plate heat exchanger plus, re- piping the
central heating. All this to be fed by a 35Kw log gasification boiler with a 2000l thermal store, all unvented.

mike

Architectural technologists...between concept and construction, but not the concept, that's the difference. A good technologist/architectural technician is incredibly valuable

StuartB - there is no such thing as fighting talk. Apart from being an AT, I'm also a doorman (sorry door supervisor - damn political correctness). Fighting talk normally means they aren't violent, and if they are...thats what the boxing and brazilian Ju-jitsu training is for! haha!

Violence is never a solution but a problem to find a solution.

Seems to me that unless your architect produces a design with more interesting spaces, natural lighting, details, use of materials or other subtleties that make you go jaw-droppingly "wow, we'd never have thought of that", then you could have gone straight to an AT for a set of submission drawings, or indeed working drawings.

Most people are advised to got to an architect for ideas or real development of the a concept...if your end result matches your aspirations, then bingo. Of course you could say "how would we know that at the outset."

I started life as an AT, and thought I knew it all, after 10 years...then packed up and took a degree and Dip. in architecture...and the did a few years in design teaching...it's at that teaching stage that I realised that as an AT I knew SFA about design or how to respond to a client's needs...let alone desires and aspirations...sorry guys, totally off topic, but it may help to clarify the architect/technician/technologist/surveyor/plan drawer debate...er but then again :-(

Owlman - It's okay I understand what your trying to accomplish, The reason I didn't understand what I was reading was because of the fact my eyelids where weighing my head down.

I understood second time reading it. but did misread it as mains fed (thinking powered) heat exchanger not mains fed (water supply). sorry, now I've read it back over I've just clicked my bad interpretation. I really shouldn't post when I'm tired! I understand what your trying to do.

If your still want some free labour let me know and I'll see what I can do to help.

Shwmae

Ble a ty? My welsh is rustier than the titanic, but I'm always interested in an opportunity to visit the homelands! Is it easy to get to by train? What sort of help would you like from me?

Dai

Posted By: DAI_EVANSIt looks as though I may once again have alot of time on my hands,

Is that as bad as it sounds? all good things coming to an end and all that? Give me a call on the weekend.

J

Sheffield, South Yorkshire

Definately just email the details and I'll come and get stuck in!

Dai, just wondering what sort of a year you've had? DId you get any work via the GBF? Any interesting projects? How is life as an AT? I'm sure others would be interested to hear how you've got on.
RobinB