Simon James Whatley
Profile: I am a dedicated and innovative designer with a carefully considered, environment-responsible approach and a broad range of work experience spanning 20 years. I have re-located to Edinburgh from London and live with my wife, two sons and two Jack Russell Terriers. I create bespoke furniture to commission and develop prototypes for multiple production; using reclaimed timber, plywoods and sustainable hardwoods. My furniture has been exhibited at the London Design Festival 2005, Scotland's Housing Expo 2010, Schop Gallery 2010 and the Fruitmarket Art Gallery 2011. I intend to participate in London Design Festival 2011. I have worked as an architectural designer for practices in London and for ARC Architects in Fife and have hands-on experience of working with sustainable building technologies. I have designed and constructed timber- framed garden rooms (artists studios and home offices) with green roofs and insulated with straw bales; worked as a volunteer carpenter on a self-build housing development in South London; designed and constructed a small dwelling in Mallorca using reclaimed local materials: dry stone walls, roof timbers, clay pantiles. In addition, I have 5 years community development experience on large-scale, complex regeneration schemes across inner-city London and have worked on a voluntary basis as a classroom assistant and as an after-school club worker.
