In 2016 David completed a four-year EngD programme at UCL researching life cycle carbon management in university estates. He analysed the embodied and operational carbon impacts of refurbishment and new-build options for university buildings and developed a strategy for carbon management in the sector. David leads on all carbon initiatives at Skelly & Couch, including zero carbon strategies and management of embodied carbon on projects.

David has developed and delivered cutting-edge environmental engineering designs on a wide range of new-build and refurbishment projects, including many listed buildings. He recently initiated the design of a ground-source heat pump installation at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where student housing, social spaces and a café are being developed within the Cambridge Historic Core Conservation Area. David is presently working on the restoration of Grade II*-listed Aldenham House, in a project which ‘re-imagines’ the landmark building to align with the school’s strategic ambitions.

At St Paul’s Girls’ School, Hammersmith, for a redevelopment masterplan, an air source heat pump plant serves new buildings and saves energy output via an ambient heating/cooling network. Chimneys are part of a ventilation strategy to maximise natural ventilation, with a thermal labyrinth for temperature stability.

David is also involved in designing a world-class convening hub at Grade II*-listed Rhodes House, Oxford, while implementing an environmental and energy strategy that achieves high targets for both the refurbishment and new-build elements. The planning and implementation of non-intrusive surveys have enhanced understanding of the existing services, many dating from a century ago, thereby helping the client to define the scope of works to be carried out.

David’s previous projects include the Cambridge House redevelopment for Birkbeck, University of London; a spectacular new home for the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, Peckham; and a new 70-bed boarding house and hub building for Tring Park School for the Performing Arts.