Don Patterson

Don Patterson

Director

With nearly thirty years of experience, Don’s talents lie in the ability to work closely with both clients and designers; helping them to interpret their vision, ensuring designs can be successfully developed and realised within budget. He specialises in both cost and project management, drawing on his extensive UK and US experience in the commercial, media, education and corporate sectors.

Why did you want to become a Quantity Surveyor?

My first steps into the industry really came out of my interest in technical drawing and architecture, and I also spent some time studying civil engineering. As my knowledge of the industry grew, and after completing an engineering diploma I migrated towards the commercial side of the building process; and decided on an undergraduate degree in Quantity Surveying. If I had not chosen quantity surveying as a career, I may have become a structural engineer.

What are the key challenges that are likely to affect your sector in the next five years?

There are a number of significant challenges facing not just the industry, but wider society in relation to being more sustainable; but another interesting challenge will be how the use of smart technology in buildings develops in the coming years. More and more of us have become accustomed to having smart technology at home, and we are starting to see an increase in clients viewing smart technology as being an essential element of a project, rather than a ‘nice to have’.

What is the best film you’ve ever watched and why?

Probably 12 Angry Men with Henry Fonda. It’s a film based on the deliberations of a jury; as the film unfolds it provides an interesting take on human nature. Its full of life lessons, demonstrates the positiveness of being open-minded and how having a balanced approach can influence outcomes.

What is your favourite building and why?

It’s difficult to select a single building, but one that is close to my heart is the Freedom Tower, in part because of what it represents, and also because of the years I spent living in New York.