Nick Durr

Accomplishing over 18 years professional experience in large scale construction projects, and operating at the crossroads of architecture/engineering, economic theory, and computer science, through the management of diverse teams across different cultural divides, has made me deeply aware of the socio-cultural and economic constraints and opportunities in the industry but has also taught me how these divergent views can coalesce to respond to the challenges of today’s world.  I am a place maker, and I reconcile differences to optimize design solutions for diversity and the environment.   I collaborate with local practices and individuals to use and adapt digital technologies to develop sustainable and communal methodologies for a more sustainable strategic architectural practice. 

Graduate from the Architectural Association in London with a masters in architecture, and an Associates of Arts and philosophy degree as well as a French language minor from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburg Pennsylvania and University of Florida in Gainesville. Nicolas has accumulated a broad range of professional experiences in distinguished boutique and niche architecture firms across Europe the Middle East and America, including Populous, Pascal and Watson, and BAM contracting. He has worked on numerous sporting venues across the world, including Wembley National Stadium, London Olympic Main Stadium, and he recently completed the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, as project architect, from design to commissioning. His professional work is characterized by large scale complex structures and their on-site development, while he has worked closely with stadium operators, such as LIVENATION and WSL and FLASH to develop purpose built adaptable structures that meet the changing demands of their users. Adaptability and finding pragmatic solutions to spatial and programmatic problems has spearheaded his architectural language. His academic research explores social ecology and sustainable/ethical development of architectural constructions, and attempts to shed light on the value of manifesting transformative creative educational models in the contemporary context of design education. He has participated in the development of the Estidama sustainability standards in the UAE and is currently researching the changing role of architecture in the transition economy.  His prior teaching appointments include Assistant Professor at the EPFL in Lausanne Switzerland where he worked for three years as a coordinator and Unit Tutor for the ALICE LABS Atelier de la Conception de l’Espace, working closely with First year students, and he has been a visiting critic at the AA, University of Florida, and AUS in the UAE.

2004 AA Diploma, RIBA II / ARB Architectural Association, London  2002 RIBA part I Architectural Association, London \  1998-2000 Associates of Arts, French Language Minor University of Florida   1996-1998 Associates of Arts, Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh Pennsylvania   1996-1998 Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh Computer Aided Art and Design USA   Secondary Studies 1992-1996 International Baccalaureate - St. Petersburg High School IB, Florida