Refurbishment of 7 Town Street, Marple Bridge, Cheshire _ 'South Seven' American Bar and Grill

In September 2012, I was commissioned by Dermot Sheedy to design his new restaurant 'South Seven', which was to be located in a former one-storey commercial building, in a conservation area (7 Town Street, Marple Bridge, Cheshire, SK6 5AA). The restaurant concept is a sophisticated american diner. I worked on this project alongside my studies between September 2012 and March 2013. It involved me surveying the site, drawing up plans on Autocad for planning permission, licensing and building control, arranging meetings and making design decisions on the interior fit out.

Work has been well under way for a number of months now, and it has been really exciting seeing my first LIVE project coming together!! Quite an achievement to have whilst I'm still studying for my degree!! There's a lot of excited people that can't wait for it to open, me being one of them. Here are a handful of drawings, visuals and early development photographs...

Existing - Empty shop front

Visual showing proposed restaurant front

Long section showing kitchen, booth seating and bar

Original Plans - Existing and Proposed

Site Plan - Existing and Proposed

Existing - Empty shop!! Looking East

Existing - Rear, West End - Outside toilet!

First structures going in for the bar! February 2013

Foundations for new extension laid - February 2013

Camp Tioga here I come!!

After months of waiting, I've finally been offered a place with Camp America at Camp Tioga in Pennsylvania!! I have been hired as an Arts, Crafts and Design Specialist and will be teaching children aged 8-15 years old. It is an 8 week contract starting on the 9th June. This is an aerial view of the camp, it looks amazing! It will be really good to do something different, and enjoy a good break from doing work, before starting 3rd year in September!! Eek.

Although I am sure the clocks in my brain will not stop ticking, they never do!

Conversion of Grade II listed watermill - Live Project for The Hepworth Gallery, Wakefield

I was chosen to work collaboratively on a live project with The Hepworth Gallery in Wakefield, alongside other students at Leeds Metropolitan University.


We produced full, comprehensive design schemes and professional design reports for the conversion of a Grade II listed watermill that currently sits on the site of the gallery. I undertook the conversion of the mill into an interactive music centre that encourages visitors to learn, experience, play, listen and perform music. The concept for the design was based on the internal workings and movement of the piano, and interaction between the musician and the instrument. The space offers an alternative learning environment to the classroom. My final design scheme is to be exhibited at The Hepworth Gallery as part of an exhibition.

The Watermill in its current state of disrepair (Hepworth Gallery in the background)

External/internal performance stage and External Staircase_Sketch visual looking North

Section looking West_Depicting space and materials_Performance stage, tiered seating, musical exhibition, waterwheel

MDF laser-cut 1:50 model_External staircase and stage looking North

Atmospheric visual depicting brief and new uses for the watermill_Music

1:50 presentation model_tiered seating_existing roof trusses

MDF laser-cut 1:50 model_piano inspired staircase creeps through the building forming seating and upper floor level

Concept_Movement of hands, movement of piano keys, interaction between musician and instrument