Owen Faunt

BA(Hons)

Position: Architectural Assistant

Joined gcp: September 2019

qualifications & professional memberships

Diploma in Insurance - Chartered Insurance Institute
BA(Hons) Photography - Nottingham Trent University
BA(Hons) Architectural Assistant Apprenticeship - London South Bank University

background

Owen joined gcp Chartered Architects after a decade or so in commercial insurance underwriting, during which time he also worked part-time as a freelance photographer. Following a long-standing ambition to retrain, he started his journey towards becoming an architect in 2019 when he joined gcp. For four years he combined work in practice with an apprenticeship at London South Bank University to obtain the RIBA Part I qualification. Balancing work in practice, studies and parenting, Owen demonstrates his excellent design skills and creativity through all his work, ultimately recognised through the award of a First Class degree.

experience

Owen has assisted on a number of projects to date at gcp, ranging from a sports hub to housing schemes. In the last couple of years, Owen has contributed to the successful delivery of a state-of-the-art swim school created in a fully refurbished warehouse, and is now leading the concept development for a new cricket clubhouse in London.

With strong graphic design skills, Owen is heavily involved with the media side of the practice, creating publications for projects and marketing activity. Owen is gcp’s in-house photographer and manages gcp’s image catalogue. He is part of the team developing new ways to use social and other media effectively to reach new audiences. His modelling skills enable him to create fly-throughs and visualisations to support scheme presentations and publications.

Owen combines design flair with excellent interpersonal skills. He is able to make uninitiated clients feel comfortable, community groups feel listened to, and project teams feel cohesive.

In his previous career, Owen was responsible for underwriting a range of specialist commercial insurance products under a delegated authority arrangement with a multinational insurer. These were centred around contracting businesses such as electrical, M&E and security specialists and distributed wholesale.