Associate Director | Architect | Expert Witness

Gavin is a fully registered practising Architect having qualified in 1998. He has subsequently gained extensive experience in the design of accessible buildings throughout the United Kingdom, South-East Asia, Middle-East and Australia.

This has included the provision of accessible accommodation for those with a wide range of disabilities and the delivery of Primary and Acute healthcare facilities.

His role has included the undertaking of research and advising on all aspects of accessible design, healthcare design and best clinical practice, leading clinical planning teams and consulting with senior hospital management and government departments.

This has allowed him to become proficient in the provision of environments that are compliant with Building Regulations and the Disability Discrimination Act and to gain a thorough knowledge of healthcare design guidance including documentation published by the Department of Health along with international government publications of equivalent standards.

EXPERIENCE

Since qualifying in 1998, Gavin has gained extensive experience in a number of different project types, having worked at strategic level from early design stages through to contract administration, ensuring all projects achieve the highest level of design excellence. His many years of practice have involved him in projects ranging from those of a small domestic nature up to large multi-million pound acute healthcare facilities.

His experience has allowed him to gain a particular expertise in the provision of specialist accommodation for those with physical and cognitive impairments within the United Kingdom and worldwide.

Gavin has been responsible for the design and delivery of a large number of healthcare projects, including new-build community hospital facilities and inpatient rehabilitation centres situated in North-West England, North Wales and Australia.

He has acted in an NHS Trust advisory role for a large-scale PFI development in Liverpool and been involved in managing the development of acute hospital facilities procured through public-private partnership within the United Kingdom and Australia.

He has managed the development of psychiatric emergency and inpatient facilities in South-East England, Singapore and Australia, which has allowed him to gain a comprehensive understanding of the requirements for child, adolescent and older person mental health needs.

Gavin has been involved in the ongoing redevelopment of existing hospitals in North-West England and Singapore, including new facilities for inpatient care, emergency care, cardiac treatment, oncology treatment and rehabilitation facilities.

He has undertaken the design of long-term respite centres for severely disabled children in the Middle-East, including residential, education and treatment facilities.

Since joining Cowan Architects in 2015, Gavin has carried out considerable property research and undertaken domestic projects for clients with severe physical and cognitive disabilities, often pursuant to his work in preparing accommodation needs reports to support litigated cases in Court.

He continues to expand his experience in designing for disability needs by attending conferences and undertaking study visits to accessible residential and healthcare facilities within the United Kingdom and internationally.