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Scott MacTavish

Scott MacTavish

New York, NY, US

 
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About 

Scott studied his Masters in Architecture at the Bartlett School of Architecture and his BA Architecture degree at Manchester University. His professional industry experience spans education, commercial and residential sectors, gained at award winning design practices including CRTKL, Austin Smith Lord and Sheppard Robson. Scott has also worked as a tutor at the Bartlett during his Masters. In 2005, he moved away from mainstream Architecture and joined an architectural recruitment company in London, recruiting Architects at all levels for the local market. After living in Australia for a short while and a 2 year stint as a Director for a small agency in London, Scott moved to New York in 2015 to shake things up and set up an office. He now identifies as a true New Yorker beeping in traffic and rushing around (pre-pandemic at least) with a pumpkin spiced latte in hand during the fall (aka autumn).

Scott's professional experience includes working for Clients such as BP, Royal Bank of Scotland and Manchester University. Scott also worked in Melbourne for a couple of years working as an architect for the Buchan Group, specifically working on the Star City Casino in Sydney.

Scott can advise on what employers look for in a potential candidate, noting the subtle transatlantic differences as well as advise on portfolio compilation and interview techniques. Over the years Scott's Clients have included Zaha Hadid Architects, Rogers Stirk Harbor, KPF and SOM. 

Although now based in Brooklyn, Scott tries to get back to Europe as often as possible (pandemic permitting!) combining his love of travel with his work where possible. Recently however, Scott has picked back up his love of skiing; exploring the delights of up-state New York and living proof that skiing is really like riding a bike - you never forget!

Scott's Featured Articles on Archinect

Becoming an Architect; Part 2: Surely there are easier ways to make money? , Thu, Jul 8 '21

In case you missed it: Becoming an Architect; Part 1: My Destiny I moved back up north to be with my first proper boyfriend and started my first proper job. In the first week, I would sit at my assigned spot and enthusiastically say “Good morning” to everyone – no one said a word. The ...

Becoming an Architect; Part 2: Surely there are easier ways to make money?
 

Becoming an Architect; Part 1: My Destiny, Tue, Jul 6 '21

I grew up in a masculine household; my dad was a crane driver, and he operated those wrecking ball cranes that would slam into buildings to demolish them (obviously without Miley Cyrus sitting on the steel sphere). I was going to say a bit like the game conkers, but that wasn’t a thing here in ...

Becoming an Architect; Part 1: My Destiny
 

How Do Architects Attract and Retain Staff in a Post-Pandemic World?, Tue, May 4 '21

On Wednesday 15th April, The New York Times wrote ‘The American Economic recovery is gathering steam, renewing confidence that a vibrant revival awaits as the pandemic recedes.’ How do architecture firms prepare for this? And how do they make sure that they retain their best people and attract ...

How Do Architects Attract and Retain Staff in a Post-Pandemic World?
 

Employment 

Perkins&Will, New York, Architect + Talent Acquisition Specialist

Architect & Talent Acquisition Specialist, working for Perkins + Will nationally to source talent across our North America and European offices. Please get in touch if you're interested in working for this forward thinking and established company.

Nov 2021 - current
 

Bespoke Careers, NYC, New York, NY, US, Managing Director

Set up New York office from 1 to 15 staff. Increasing revenue from $200k in first year to over $2M in 2018. Developing and cultivating new business and leads for the office. Formulate strategy with London for short-term and long-term growth. Consistently met and exceeded yearly budget targets. On boarding and mentoring NYC consultants. Working closely with Head of IT, marketing, finance and HR team.

Sep 2013 - Dec 2020
 

The Buchan Group, Melbourne, AU, Project Architect

Star City Casino, Sydney. Involved with early stage concept design, design development, working drawings, team co-ordination, detailing and CAD co-ordination.

Dec 2007 - Jun 2009
 

Sheppard Robson, London, GB, Project Architect

Project/Site Architect - BP, London £70M, Stages 2 - 5
GA Drawings, package technical review, spec writing, architectural team co-ordination, detailing, CAD co-ordinator, design review + design change implementation, client + contractor liaison, structural co-ordination, design + design development.

Project Architect + Package Architect
Royal Bank of Scotland Fit-Out, Manchester, £40M, Stages 2 - 5
Job-running, GA Drawings, architectural team co-ordination, detailing, contractor liaison, design and development of restaurant.

Lead Internal Architect
Manchester University Biosciences, £80M Stages 2 - 5
Design Development, GA Drawings, Detailing, Consultant + Client Liaison, 3D modeling, planning, package architect, CAD co-ordinator.

Oct 2000 - Apr 2005
 

Austin Smith : Lord, Liverpool, GB, Architectural Assistant

Hul Magistrates' Court, PFI £30M, Stages 2 - 6
GA Drawings, detailing, design development, architectural team co-ordination, CAD co-ordiantor.

Jun 1999 - Oct 2000
 

The Bartlett School of Planning, London, GB, Tutor

Taught computing, 3d modeling and presentation to 2nd year undergraduates.

Oct 1998 - Jun 1999
 

Richmond International, London, GB, Architectural Assistant

Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park Hotel, £15M, Stages 3 - 4
GA Drawings, CAD co-ordiantor.

May 1997 - Sep 1997
 

Education 

University College London (UCL), London, GB, MArch, Diploma

Enrolled in Unit 15 for both years of the 2 year Diploma in Architecture. Specializing in animation, cyber-space, music and movement. The course provided a grounding in 'thinking outside the box' having just completed a more conventional 3 year degree at the Victoria University of Manchester prior to the Bartlett.

Jun 1997 - Jun 1999
 

Manchester School of Architecture, Manchester, GB, Bachelors, BA (Hons) Architecture

The undergraduate course at Manchester University provided me with a thorough insight into how architects work and prepared me for a year in industry. The course consistently has a good reputation and is thought of highly in the industry. It was a great foundation for the fundamentals for a successful career in architecture and associated professions.

Sep 1993 - Jun 1996
 

Manchester University, Manchester, GB, Civil Engineering

Before I switched to study architecture I was enrolled in the first year of the BSc course for civil engineering which I had to pass to be accepted to the Architecture program. The course covered engineering mathematics, surveying, geology and structural engineering.

Sep 1992 - Jun 1993
 

Awards 

Henry Herbert Travel Scholarship, 1st Place

The fund is awarded to an architecture student looking to travel and study something outside the scope of the Masters program. Following on from my voluntary work in Canada supporting and helping the Metis communities, I travelled to Sydney, Australia to further my study on native aboriginal communities with a particular focus on Redfern, Sydney.

1997
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills