3D visualization
Cornelius Low
Architect & Building Code Specialist
Abu Dhabi
Summary
- Highly motivated Chief Architect adept at providing strategic direction and implementing project roadmaps. Knowledgeable about Architectural Design and Planning, building codes and international best practices. Ready to apply 26 years of AEC experience and people development skill to challenging new role at a reputable company.
- Experience with high-profile clients on design of multi-million-dollar properties involving challenging site placement. Focused on green design with eye for luxury.
- Thrives in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments with strong multitasking, organizational and problem-solving abilities.
- Port folio covers a diverse range of building typologies; residential, commerical, mixed-use properties, institutional and civic, healthcare and hospitality development.
- Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Architect
Department of Municipalities & Transport
Abu Dhabi
2009.01 - Current
- Design internal process improvements to automate repetitive tasks, shortening review delivery times.
- Migrate numerous legacy systems to newer technologies, reducing costs and enhancing efficiency of computing tasks.
- Created project roadmaps for actionable business mandates - ie. mixed-use building typologies.
- Developed and led multi-disciplinary team to preempt and mitigate problems throughout a building life-cycle.
- Review consultants' proposals to determine favorable partnerships for on-time and under-budget government-led project completion.
- Review technical drawings and construction documents against established guidelines, best practices and other benchmarks.
- Maintained quality control standards and ISO working procedures for the Construction Permit Department.
- Attend and lead team meetings to resolve technical issues arising from complex projects (eg. healthcare, mixed-use and hospitality)
- Perform comprehensive code compliance evaluations to scrutinize projects against established planning and building codes (International Building Codes)
- Evaluate established zoning laws and building codes to verify conformance with regulatory agencies.
- Evaluate project requirements to identify and mitigate risks for government-led projects.
- Performed architectural design peer appraisals, applying innovative architectural design concepts and advanced professional knowledge - eg. PPVC construction, design and build projects.
- Coordinated with cross-functional/disciplinary government stakeholders to improve sustainability and design.
- Conduct weekly in-house building code training, lesson-learnt and career orientation exercises for Municipality architects and engineers.
- Oversee all aspects of technical review and approval processes within the Construction Permit Department.
- Review RFP, POC and perform UAT for IT initiatives spearheaded by Strategic and Innovation Teams.
- Collaborated with Higher Learning Institutes on the mentoring of graduates via annual internship training.
Senior Architect (Subject Matter Expert)
Bureau Veritas
Abu Dhabi
2007.01 - 2009.01
- Seconded to Abu Dhabi Municipality to manage team of junior architects overseeing plan examination.
- Liaised with government agencies on strategic developments in the new Abu Dhabi planned districts masterplan - Al Reem Island, Saadiyat Island, Yas Island, Al Maryah Island, Masdar City, Al Raha Beach.
- Supported the Construction Permit Department with internal and external audit.
- Managed and led a multi-disciplinary team for project completion inspection.
- Verified construction documentation conformance to quality assurance standards and international best practice.
Vice President-Design
RSP (Middle East) FZCO
Dubai
2004.10 - 2006.12
- Identified issues with production, workforce and material sourcing and implemented successful solutions.
- Spearheaded cross-functional initiatives across departments to achieve business goals for bottom-line profits.
- Resolved issues and recommended actions based on production and compliance reports.
- Monitored industry trends, keeping current on latest changes and competition in industry.
- Supported COO with daily operational functions.
- Developed new design process for Design Studio that resulted in marked performance improvements.
- Responsible for creative design with prominent clients (eg. Nakheel, EMAAR, DMCC).
- Responsible for all design feasibility assessment, critical for job procurement and business development.
- Supervised a team of 20 architects, draftsmen and visualizers in the concept and schematic design development.
- Conducted value-engineering with in-house specialists that resulted in 50% increase in revenue across a myriad of projects.
- Conducted critical pre-installation conferences with general contractors, subcontractors, consultants and manufacturers.
- Supervised the production of tender documentation and construction drawings of large-scale developments across Dubai.
- participated in the feasibility study and master planning exercise with Urban Planners on KSA - King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC)
- Completed projects with total contract value over 200 Million AED - Mixed Use, Hospitality and Healthcare projects.
Senior Architectural Associate (Special Projects)
CPG Consultants
Singapore
2001.02 - 2004.08
- Developed executive multi-media presentations to Team Leader to facilitate project evaluation and process improvement within the Special Projects Division.
- Spearheaded the in-house Buildability Appraisal Committee that resulted in better building efficiency and overall site productivity.
- Spearheaded the development of ISO 9000 Internal Quality Control and Management Section for department audit.
- Conducted design, planning and value-engineering exercise with multi-disciplinary engineers and flagged potentials issues to be addressed by senior management.
- Coordinated design meeting across all internal departments and teams - eg. quantity surveyors, structural and MEP engineers.
- Administered all project contract and management, monitored delivery timelines and budget.
- Led a team of 8-10 architects, technicians and draftsmen in the preparation of tender documentation for a myriad of classified and strategic projects - eg. military complexes, prisons, civic centres, hospitals and educational campus with a total contract value exceeding S$200 millions.
- Established in-house CAD standards and code of practice.
- Participated in international design bidding and competitions across South East Asia and PRC.
Senior Project Architect
3PA Architects
Singapore
1999.09 - 2001.03
- Served as Project Team Leader on a multitude of mixed-use projects, private residential condominiums and public housing projects with a total contract value exceeding S$100 million.
- Managed and supervised a team of 5 draftsman and technicians on tender documentation.
- Worked closely with PMO to follow-up on all construction RFC and corrective actions during construction.
- Participated in public design competitions for Singapore's first underground public transportation hubs, integrated public housing schemes and was short-listed as award recipient.
- Served as company internal quality auditor.
- Helped established company 1st working procedure to obtain ISO 9000 certification.
- Key company liaison with government agencies and authority to obtain expedited permits.
- Verified conformance of contractor shop drawings with established building codes and by-laws.
Project Architect
LTT Architects
Singapore
1996.01 - 1999.05
- Served as Project Team Leader on private residential, public housing, industrial projects with total value exceeding S$100 million.
- Spearheaded the Internal Quality Audit team to obtain company's 1st ISO 9000 certification.
- Established company working procedures and instruction.
- Developer company CAD best practice standards.
- Liaised with authority and statutory bodies to secure planning approval and building permits.
- Supervised in the preparation of tender documentation.
- Project contract administration on private-public joint venture projects and D&B projects.
Education
Bachelor of Architecture (Hons) - Architecture And Urban Planning
University of Newcastle
New South Wales, Australia 1993.01 - 1995.12
Bachelor of Science - Architecture And Urban Planning
University of Newcastle
New South Wales, Australia 1991.01 - 1992.12
Diploma of Architecture Technology - Architecture And Building Technology
Singapore Polytechnic
Singapore 1987.01 - 1989.12
Skills
Technical Analysis
undefinedSoftware
CAD / BIM
Microsoft Office Suite
Quote
Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers.
Voltaire
Timeline
Chief Architect
Department of Municipalities & Transport
2009.01 - Current
Senior Architect (Subject Matter Expert)
Bureau Veritas
2007.01 - 2009.01
Vice President-Design
RSP (Middle East) FZCO
2004.10 - 2006.12
Senior Architectural Associate (Special Projects)
CPG Consultants
2001.02 - 2004.08
Senior Project Architect
3PA Architects
1999.09 - 2001.03
Project Architect
LTT Architects
1996.01 - 1999.05
Bachelor of Architecture (Hons) - Architecture And Urban Planning
University of Newcastle
1993.01 - 1995.12
Bachelor of Science - Architecture And Urban Planning
University of Newcastle
1991.01 - 1992.12
Diploma of Architecture Technology - Architecture And Building Technology
Singapore Polytechnic
1987.01 - 1989.12
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