VANESSA TORRI

CONTACT. SKILLS.

Part II Architectural Assistant

I am keen in exploring heritage and conservation architecture from a design-led and artistic perspective, always pushing for creative and inventive solutions. Further to my Part II studies at Manchester School of Architecture, I joined Purcell’s team working on the £330m refurbishment of the Grade I Listed Manchester Town Hall. The project is the largest heritage project currently being developed in the UK. My role has been key in defining suitable uses for the building and is now focussing on fit out strategy and MEP coordination.

Manchester, UK AutoCAD 2D/3DRevitPhotoshopInDesignIllustrator (basic)SketchupGreen Building StudioMicrosoft Office

PC/MAC proficient

ModelmakingPhotographySketching

SustainabilityConservation

Italian (native)English (fluent)German (intermediate)

torri.vanessa@gmail.com

+44 (0)7428 497562

vanessatorri.com

vanessa-torri-8a127395

vannex

EXPERIENCE.

Part 2 Architectural Assistant at Purcell08/2017 – Present, Manchester, UKI am currently a full time member of the team working on the £330m refurbishment of the Grade I Listed Manchester Town Hall. From RIBA Stage 1 to RIBA Stage 4 (present).

From the beginning of the project my main involvement has been with the Fit Out and the MEP Coordination teams. I saw the development of the design from strategic definition to technical design. I developed a thorough understanding of constraints and requirements, which manifest themselves with the finalised Uses and Users plans. I am regularly liaising with the rest of the Design Team, on architectural and MEP coordination to further develop the fit-out for the building.

As part of the project’s Social Value, I work closely with Manchester School of Architecture (MSA) and University of Salford (UoS) to create opportunities of engagement using the town hall as a driving tool. I also regularly tutor MSA BA Third Year students since 2017.

Fellowship Venice Architecture Biennale at British Council09/2016-10/2016, Venice, ItalyI was selected by the British Council to take part in the 2016 Venice Biennale Fellowship program and work for a month as a stewardess in the British pavilion.As part of the fellowship we were also required to carry out a small research, mine revolving around the concept of authenticity of Venice.

Architectural Assistant (one day a week) at Purcell10/2015-07/2016, Manchester, UKDue to the nature of the one day a week employment, I worked on many small elements of different projects, including planning application drawings for a Grade II Listed cottage in Wales and concept drawings for turning the derelict Caernarfon Island Site, in North Wales, into an artisan quarter.

RIBA Stage 2 coordinated sample rooms concept visuals

Refurbishment of Grade I Listed Manchester Town Hall

Sections through Manchester Town Hall Revit model to start illustrating servicing and acoustic strategies

2018Purcell Student of the Year Award [Winner] for an individual who has made a difference to people, a community or the environment through their dedication, understanding or their skills

Our Town Hall Social Value Star Award [Joint Winner with Rebecca Stone] for an individual who has embraced social value and delivered real outcomes in support of Manchester residents and the local economy

2017RIBA Silver Medal [Nominee] for a joint thesis project with Daniel Kirkby

Mecanoo B.15 Modelmaking Award [3rd Prize] for a joint thesis project with Daniel Kirkby

3DReid Student Prize [Nominee] for a joint thesis project with Daniel Kirkby

2013RIBA Polyark III: Polyport for second year undergraduate project

EDUCATION.

MArch Architecture (ARB/RIBA Part 2) at Manchester School of Architecture09/2015-06/2017 Manchester, UKGrade achieved: DistinctionAtelier USE gives students the freedom to focus on developing their own brief and final architectural resolution. My joint thesis project with Daniel Kirkby focussed on Berlin’s Kulturforum site and investigated current political and cultural issues and addressed them through a subtly provocative proposal. BSc(Hons) Architecture and Environmental Design (ARB/RIBA Part 1) at Sheffield Hallam University09/2011 – 06/2014 Sheffield, UKGrade achieved: 2:1

Diploma di Maturità Classica at Liceo Classico “Giosuè Carducci”09/2005 – 07/2011 Merano, ITAGrade achieved: 94/100

AWARDS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

Part 1 Architectural Assistant at Purcell07/2014 – 07/2015, London, UKDuring my time at Purcell’s London office as a Part I Architectural Assistant, I had the opportunity to work on landmark projects, such as the redevelopment of Battersea Power Station, consisting in monitoring the repairs to the heritage significant fabric of the Grade II* Listed building, and the development of an initial masterplan for Drapers’ Hall, Grade II* Listed building with Livery Hall in the City of London.

Other smaller projects saw me working in a team on a planning application for the refurbishment of a Grade II* Listed mixed-use Georgian property and on feasibility studies for Watford Museum and Colchester Mercury Theatre.

Redevelopment of Battersea Power Station, London

Refurbishment mixed-use Georgian property in London

Feasibility for the ventilation of Draper’s Hall, London

Axonometric of MArch final year project based in Berlin

BA Architecture event organised in conjunction with MSA

Sectional model of MArch final year project based in Berlin