Barker was “a huge opportunity, but many pitfalls”. HBF should preface any suggestions or criticisms of Barker’s recommendations by making clear we give a powerful endorsement of the Barker proposals as a package and we will help deliver. Innovation and design excellence in the production of new homes is high on the agenda. Housebuilders must work within the constraints of the planning system and the building regulations to devise creative solutions that meet customer demand and fire the enthusiasm of local communities. Housebuilders employ a range of specialists, including design engineers, technical managers, civil engineers, engineering managers and architectural technicians. Individuals employed in these positions will normally have appropriate academic and professional qualifications. My role as an architectural technician varies day to day. I carry out a wide range of design work which involves designing house types, site layouts and preparation of all architectural details involved with these projects, as well as running my own sites. "Most of our work is prepared on AutoCAD, which we also use to produce three-dimensional images of our house types and developments for presentation purposes. At the age of 23, I am now a senior member of the design team and am currently studying part time for a BA honours degree in Architecture to allow me to progress my career further within the company. Wayne Worsdale, architectural technician, David Wilson Homes "I joined Westbury thre years ago as an engineering assistant, and, with the support and encouragement of my manager, was promoted to the position of senior engineer 12 months later. "This role has recently been expanded and I am now responsible for a team of engineers who carry out a range of work including land appraisals, road and sewer design, site construction supervision, site surveys, road and land adoptions. "I enjoy working for a housebuilder because my work is extremely varied and fulfilling, and because I can supervise my own design work during construction. I also believe that there are plenty of opportunities to develop my skills and progress my career further. Louis McLaughlin, engineering manager, Westbury My current position is technical manager. This is extremely varied and involves me in land purchase feasibility, planning, road building and completion of developments including final adoption. "My experience in the housebuilding industry - and particularly with David Wilson Homes - has given me broad knowledge, and has enabled me to progress my career, which has always been extremely varied and interesting. Kevin Pearson, technical manager, David Wilson Homes Currently, I am responsible for the engineering design work for an area office of Laing Homes, and am involved in all aspects of developments. The work is varied and includes technical land appraisals, the commissioning of site surveys and site investigations (including elements such as ground conditions, contamination testing and noise surveys etc), service co-ordination, the design of foundations and structural elements, and the design of roads and sewers. Phil Dickens, senior area engineer, Laing Homes
