About the Firm
Michael O’Connor, his son, Alex O’Connor, and Darrell Willcocks form the core of this successful firm. The Squirrel Design team has been based in Dartmoor National Park for the last 30 years and focuses on contemporary design of large, residential projects in prestigious locations. The firm’s location has given the team a wealth of additional skills, knowledge, and experience working with Listed Buildings, Ancient National Monuments, and conservation work.

The Squirrel Design team has always pushed architectural boundaries with creativity, ensuring each design is better than the last. With the help of Vectorworks software and trainer Jonathan Reeves of JR Architecture Ltd, they continue to find success. We recently spoke with Michael O’Connor about his experiences.

Reeves has served as a helpful resource for Squirrel Design. “The great thing about Jonathan is that he understands what we are doing, why we are doing it, and how we are using the software for our architectural processes,” said O’Connor.

“It is comforting to know that Jonathan is just a phone call away if we need him,” he added, describing the invaluable assistance Jonathan provides. 
O’Connor has used Vectorworks since its first incarnation the 1980s and said the program’s compatibility with Mac computers and its ability to create detailed, 3D images was exactly what the firm needed. When he realized how much quicker, easier, and more accurate the Vectorworks drawings were compared to hand sketches, he was sold. “I couldn’t wait to get started,” he said.
He originally looked at other programs, such as AutoCAD and ARCHICAD, but decided Vectorworks better suited the firm’s needs. “At that time, AutoCAD was really clunky and better suited for engineering or manufacturing purposes,” he explained. 
Today, the design team often sketches out ideas and quickly moves into 3D modeling in the software. “We get the shape and form of the building in Vectorworks and it starts coming together,” said O’Connor. The team then adds details in Vectorworks. “In this early stage, we use the sketch rendering mode in the program for the first round of presentation, so it still looks like it’s in a concept stage, and we use that to talk to clients and planners,” he adds. But the team greatly benefits from working in 3D, as all the modeling information is available in the design from the beginning.
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About the Para 55 Projects
Paragraph 55 refers to a set of requirements within the UK’s National Planning Policy Framework that allows for building a home in the countryside if the design is “of exceptional quality or innovative nature.”

Squirrel Design’s two approved Para 55 projects, the Hux Shard and the Nimbus, are both extremely complex designs, and the firm needed a presentation tool that was robust enough to accurately and impressively share them. Vectorworks played an important role in the high level of presentation to obtain approval for such projects.
“The presentation was key to getting the concepts out of our heads and in front of the planners, designers, public, and Design Review Panel,” said O’Connor. “For this, Vectorworks was particularly useful, especially with its advanced 3D visualization features.”
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Another benefit of using Vectorworks on the Hux Shard project was the ability to use one 3D model for elevations, layouts, and communication with the engineers, landscape architect, and interior designer.

He explained that obtaining permissions for a Para 55 house is like the Holy Grail of architectural achievement, which is why being granted two in succession is such a huge win for Squirrel Design. “It truly puts you into the premier architectural league,” he said.

Completing a Para 55 project comes with a number of tests, one of which requires the design to “reflect the highest standards of architecture.”
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“To get a building off the ground, we are not going to take any shortcuts,” said Michael. “We will see it all the way through.” This mindset proved instrumental when their projects were deemed both architecturally outstanding andinnovative, with a focus on sustainability. Rather than sucking energy from the country and negatively impacting wildlife habitats, these buildings will improve the biodiversity around them and actually produce more energy than it consumes.

O’Connor describes the Hux Shard as “a sculpture in the countryside. When you’re approaching it, you don’t even realize that it’s a house.” It is important for architects to be able to share where their Para 55 design concept inspiration came from. “The Hux Shard structure was influenced by the tors (rocky outcrops) in our Dartmoor base, while the Nimbus concept was inspired by the mining history in Cornwall, which is why it will mostly be made from corrugated iron and natural stone,” explained O’Connor.
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The firm is also building a legacy of design in the next generation of architects. The firm provides work experience to students from Atrium Studio School in Devon, which focuses on the built environment, and the Para 55 projects become part of the educational process.

Congrats to Squirrel Design on this impressive achievement. We look forward to seeing what comes next for this inventive firm.
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To learn more about Squirrel Design and its Paragraph 55 projects, visit the firm's website.

JONATHAN REEVES
DirectorJonathan Reeves ArchitectureJonathan Reeves has spent the last 20 years at the forefront of digital architecture and related fields. His book, “Innovative Vectorworks BIM,” is a must-read for anyone involved or interested in the process of building information modeling and digital architecture. Architects, designers, and students will find this volume a gold mine of information on Vectorworks software-based BIM. It is replete with case studies from a fascinating range of SME architectural practices and illuminates the reader with practical and personal stories of BIM journeys.
jr-architecture.co.uk

10:30AM – 11:30AM SEPTEMBER 18-20, 2017 Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel

INNOVATIVE VECTORWORKS BIM
Jonathan ReevesBuilding information modeling (BIM) is a fast evolving aspect of the construction industry. The session Innovative Vectorworks BIM, based on presenter Jonathan Reeves’ book of the same name, provides unique insight into how innovative architectural practices have already started their journeys with BIM using the powerful features of Vectorworks software, as well as providing many helpful insights into tried-and-tested BIM workflows.
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Examine case study examples of BIM workflows
2. Investigate BIM’s suitability for small projects.
3. Evaluate the merits of transitioning to a 3D workflow.
4. Recognize common workflows for moving from 2D to 3D.

Building information modelling (BIM) is a fast evolving aspect of the construction industry.
Innovative Vectorworks BIM provides a unique insight into how innovative architectural practices have already started their journeys with BIM and discusses the major new features in Vectorworks 2016, as well as providing many helpful insights into tried a tested BIM workflows.


Find out more about Innovative Vectorworks BIM
http://www.jra-vectorworks-cad.co.uk/innovative-vectorworks-bim.html
How other professionals use BIM
It features 10 beautifully illustrated case studies and demonstrates the flexibility and benefits of the digital process across diverse projects and building types.

Practical advice and tips
The second part offers hands-on practical advice to empower you to improve your design skills with 50 tips and tricks for Vectorworks Architect and also looks at some of the major new features of the latest release.

This book is essential reading to all those who want to understand more about BIM and Vectorworks

Please purchase direct from my website now for just £24.99 + p&p
http://www.jra-vectorworks-cad.co.uk/store/p37/Innovative_Vectorworks_BIM.html

Architosh Review: Evaluating the case in Jonathan Reeves’ new book “Innovative Vectorworks BIM”
http://architosh.com/2016/01/review-evaluating-the-case-in-jonathan-reeves-new-book-innovative-vectorworks-bim/
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​Vectorworks CAD & BIM training, sales and visualisation for architects by architects  
​Architect and Professional Vectorworks trainer Jonathan Reeves presenting at the BIM Design day show you some of the great new Vectorworks 2017 features and workflows.

Jonathan Reeves will be presenting at the annual BIM Design day

Interested in BIM? Want to Learn More? 

Don't do BIM? The Government Mandate doesn't affect me as I don't design schools, hospitals or other public buildings.

Wrong! If you use 3D CAD, as soon as you draw a wall between two points and add a window, you are doing BIM. The wall could have a thickness and height, a style, multiple components (bricks, insulation, plaster even), materials and costs. The window will come from a library of variable types. Already you are collecting Information. Come to the BIM Design Day and learn how to use that information to speed up designs, eliminate errors, re-use components -- and share that information with others.

​And if you are doing BIM you already have the potential to make great savings in time, productivity and costs. 
BIM - Building Information Modelling helps you to, for instance:
- Produce schedules of components and materials
- Re-use components, including complete room furnishings for hotels, etc
- Collaborate with structrual engineers and designers sharing the same model and data
- Share 3D models with Building Performance Efficiency applications
- Release component information to fabricators for off-site manufacture
- Adhere to company and National building standards and codes more easily
- Produce 3D visualisations and walkthroughs clients and public presentations
- Create hyperlinks to supporting data -- component info, sources, prices and performances
- After construction present clients with complete facility management information
... and much more! Whether you use Vectorworks or not, you will learn why BIM is a vital tool for your practice 

The free BIM Design Day will, of course, be run using Vectorworks software - a complete architectural design application that also includes modules for Terrain Modelling, Landscaping, Visualisation using the CINEMA 4D based rendering engine, Renderworks and even Stage and Lighting design for the entertainment and performance industries - all integrated as a complete BIM solution, and with full export and model sharing capabilities.
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Watch our short video about the BIM Design Day

Register now and take this marvellous opportunity to join us on this instructive BIM-day!
Date: Tuesday 4 October 2016
Times: 09:30-17:00 hours
Venue: Cavendish Conference Centre, London W1G 9DT