Chilombe Simwami

I am Chilombe Simwami, with a Merit Pass, MSc in Renewable Energy and Architecture (2008), from the University of Nottingham. I am a registered architect with work experience from Zambia’s largest architectural firm: PJP Associates, with duties from conceptual design and feasibility studies to planning approval, interior design, tender, contract administration and project handover to employer. I have worked on both residential and public sector projects grossing over US $100 million. During the same period I have continued my PhD studies and worked as an adjunct lecturer at Rusangu University. Thus I am confident that my diverse skills, experience and qualifications will will of service.

PJP Associates had a team of 13 architects. Consequently the firm was small enough to have allowed me to work in several roles. I worked in the interior design team of 3 for the first LEED certified Citibank project. On this project, I generated all the 3D images using ArchiCAD and Atlantis Computer Aided Design (CAD) software. Furthermore I have worked in large teams of over 30 consultants, such as for the renovation of Society Business Park. This was the first project of its kind in the country and it consisted of an 18 storey Hilton Garden Inn Hotel, a 6 storey (6,000sq. m) office tower, a 6 storey (1,000 capacity) carpark and a 2 story (44 tenant) retail mall. Among my numerous tasks since the project begun in 2011, I have been on the CAD Technician team of 7, Site Surveyor team 3, Project Manager team of 5 and headed the Tenant Coordination team of 3, with a set of over 700 construction drawings, including tenant drawings for all tenant spaces. These drawings required constant updating, services coordination with numerous consultants and with prospective tenants both locally and internationally such as Pick n Pay, Debonairs Pizza, FNB (bank) etc. As a result I am deadline oriented, creative and always multi-tasking. I thrive in an environment where I can keep learning and no two work days are the same.

To complement this, I am involved in writing and editing the deadline driven Expression of Interest Reports, Inception Reports, Design Reports etc of up to 55,000 words for prospective and ongoing projects, including writing the Environmental Management, Terms of Reference, Sustainability and Methodology chapters. As a result we have been awarded some of the largest construction projects in the region, such as the Mfuwe International Airport, Kafue Gorge Training Centre and the 80,000 capacity Mongu Stadium project. Additionally I have written articles for the Zambia Institute of Architects (ZIA) publications, such the June 2015 article, inspired by attending the AU2014 Conference hosted by AutoDesk University, in Las Vegas, where over 14,000 delegates attended and I represented Zambian architects in a panel discussion.

I not only do I excel as a team leader, but I can also perform well individually. I have been a point of contact for new projects, where clients have specifically requested for me to work on their projects, such as the 2 story, 3 bedroom retirement home for a couple based in Tunisia.I developed the brief, produced the working drawings and submitted for planning approval single handily. This generated 4% of the ZMW 1.3 million construction cost. I believe in applying this same level of professionalism, leadership skills and ability to work under pressure, in any task.