Robert graduated from The University of Edinburgh in 1991 and began his career with Livingston Development Corporation. While contributing to a range of residential and community projects up to £4m value within a local authority environment, Robert appreciated the opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues, complete training courses on first aid and project management and gain valuable professional experience, assisting him achieve full professional qualification.
Keen to broaden his range of experience, Robert gained a position between 1995 and 2004 with Comprehensive Design Architects/CDA where he contributed to the delivery of a series of large scale refurbishment and new-build projects involving retail parks, speculative office buildings and shopping centres, working to tight deadlines within an intensive, commercial environment. Through this he developed a strong awareness of the need to focus strongly on client and end user requirements when developing designs.
Moving on to Duco Architects in the role of Associate, Robert was responsible for the establishment of all drawing and computer protocols within the practice while acting as project architect for a series of retail, residential and educational projects.
Throughout his career Robert has worked to supplement this experience by developing his skills and expanding his capabilities through private study, taking a particular interest in a variety of computer programs. This has helped strengthen his ability to communicate design ideas in an inspiring, readily understandable way through the use of a wide variety of graphical methods.
Robert has worked with the practice since 2012, contributing ideas, technical advice and drawing output to a wide range of projects, including a residential conversion for the UK Consul General in Smolny, St. Petersburg, remedial works to DG One, and a factory conversion at Muiredge, Fife.
He is enthused by the blend of commercial awareness backed up by considered design which stands at the core of the approach to projects taken by the practice and has blossomed in this environment, enabling him to contribute to the design of the recently completed new headquarters building for James Donaldson & Sons in Glenrothes and the award winning garden room in Hepburn Gardens, St. Andrews.
