After graduating with a Masters in structural engineering from Sheffield University in 2013, I have spent 9 years working as a structural engineer in and around London and achieving my chartership.

Most recently I was working for a company which encourages, promotes and designs carbon conscious buildings. The focus of the work was to promote the ethics of reduce, reuse, recycle in the construction industry by working with and refurbishing existing structures. Sustainability aside, the refurbishment and modification of existing structures is particularly interesting from an engineering perspective due to the knowledge of historic construction techniques one gains, the range of construction materials that one is exposed to and the ever changing designs that one must work carry out as an old building is stripped back to expose its structure. 

I enjoy my work as a designer of buildings however, I have always kept up an interest and practice in the manual and practical aspects of Construction and have wanted to combine the two. This led me to begin a journey of training in wood work and environmentally sensitive construction - through a mentorship with Adrian Leaman (of Wholewoods), courses and lots of practice.

Alongside continuing my work as a chartered engineer, I am working as a carpenter and timber framer to provide spatially interesting and carbon sensitive structures. Please see my Instagram @charliebowlesprojects for more information about my latest and upcoming projects.