Submitted by Grainne Kennedy on Wed, 2017-05-24 15:53
1. Name:
Alex Reeve
2. Position:
Sustainable Buildings Advisor
3. What does this position entail?
Providing specialist advice to promote the design and construction of environmentally sustainable new build and refurbishment projects.
4. What is your (education/qualifications) background and how did you get here?
I studied architecture at the University of Nottingham and have been a chartered architect since 1997. My interest in environmental sustainability brought me back to school in 2004. I completed a Masters in Environmental Design at UCL where I wrote a dissertation on the ‘BREEAM’ environmental assessment methodology for construction projects. I have since qualified as a BREEAM Accredited Professional. Having also worked on a number of Cambridge University projects in my professional career this new role felt like a great fit.
5. What were you doing before joining the Environment and Energy Section?
I was an associate at R H Partnership Architects here in Cambridge. One of my roles was to lead their Sustainability Group promoting best practice.
6. What is your proudest professional achievement?
Being project architect for the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in Wallingford. The open site meant that the form and orientation of the building could be made as optimal as possible. It was a good example of how good design can reduce future reliance on electrical lighting, cooling and ventilation systems.
7. What are you most looking forward to getting your teeth into in the coming year?
The chance to help the estates team in making sure projects have the least possible impact on our environment. It sounds like there are some very exciting projects in the pipeline.
8. What gets you out of bed (and into work) in the morning?
The chance to work with some very clever and passionate people in trying to make our environment a better place.
9. What is your environment and energy pet hate?
Photovoltaic solar panels placed in the shade of trees, chimneys etc. It’s surprising how often it happens!
10. What is your favourite green gadget?
The off switch!
11. What do you think is the biggest environmental challenge?
Bringing people together so that they share responsibility more equally for impacts on our environment.
12. Tell us one little known fact about yourself?
I worked for 3 ½ years in Brunei, a tiny dot of a country on the island of Borneo. Brunei has wonderful pristine rainforest; but as a nation it has a dangerous addiction to fossil fuels.
13. Who is your inspirational figure (real or fictional)?
The late Professor Sir David MacKay. His book Sustainability Without the Hot Air is such a model of clarity in explaining energy related facts and figures.
14. Do you have any hobbies?
I enjoy drawing; you’ll often find me at the monthly Cambridge Urban Sketchers meet-ups sketching various Cambridge scenes.
15. First impressions of Cambridge?
As a small boy a family holiday brought us to Cambridge. Spinning round in a canoe on the Cam is a vivid early memory!