Meet The Expert: Matthew Allen - Senior Architectural Technologist

1. Describe your role at Wyvern

I’m employed as a Senior Architectural Technologist. As a company, we are often asked to inspect potential properties to assess suitability for adaption. Following purchase, I will meet clients, OT’s and Case Managers to discuss the client’s needs and then prepare scheme proposals for consideration. Once a design is agreed, my role is to prepare drawings and details to obtain planning and building regulations approval, tender the proposed works, administer the contract with the chosen contractor and manage the project through to completion.

?

2. Can you tell us a little about your professional background?

I started my career at two, small private architectural practices where I spent 3 years at each. The workload was generally small domestic extensions, one-off new builds and small commercial/industrial projects. I then moved to a large, national housebuilder where I spent 8 years, working my way up to a regional Design Manager role. I was responsible for technical coordination and maintaining the day to day running of 20+ sites and obtaining technical approval for approximately 500 houses per year. I moved to Wyvern Partnership in 2009 and have been here ever since.

?

3. What led you to pursuing that career?

At school, I always enjoyed art and technical drawing. I spent several weeks’ work experience at local architectural practices and really enjoyed learning how buildings are constructed and the processes involved. The prospect of 7 years study to qualify as an Architect didn’t appeal to me, so after ‘A’ Levels, I did a degree in Quantity Surveying with a view to a career in construction. I missed the creative aspect, so after leaving university, I took a job as an Architectural Technologist.

?

4. How long have you been doing it for?

My first employment was in 1995, so this year will be my 30th year.

?

5. What is your favourite part of the job?

It is satisfying and rewarding to see the difference that we can make to those that are disadvantaged. I particularly enjoy working on new builds, where you can start the design process with a blank canvas.

?

6. What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

There can be a lot of parties involved in the projects that we work on – clients and their families, solicitors, case managers, occupational therapists, assistive technology experts, contractors and quantity surveyors… it can be difficult and sometimes a bit stressful trying to coordinate everyone and maintain some kind of order at meetings!

?

7. What do you like to do outside of work?

I enjoy travelling. I turned 50 last year and made the most of it with quite a few holidays to celebrate. I try to keep active and play squash twice a week. I love watching football, motorsport and live music. I regularly go to gigs to watch favourite bands when I can.

?

8. If you weren’t in your current role, what would you be doing?

If I could start over again, I’d like to do something completely different. I’m really interested in the technology in Formula One. I would love to have been a race engineer, getting the chance to travel to glamorous locations around the world and mingle with the rich and famous!

?

9. Tell us an interesting fact / something we don’t know about you.

I consider myself a bit of a music buff and I’m quite good at a pop quiz with the 80’s and 90’s being my specialist decades!

?

10. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be & why?

I’ve been lucky enough to go sailing in the British Virgin Islands several times with my wife and her family. There’s nothing better than sunbathing on a catamaran in crystal clear seas with a beer!

?