I’m originally from Austria but later moved to work in the United Kingdom where I am currently based. After graduating with my civil engineering degree from the University of Graz, I began working as a project manager for a family-run 100 year old construction business in Austria which gave me a rare opportunity to get involved in some complex renovations and roof extensions in the centre of Vienna.
My motivation to explore and work on projects abroad grew stronger during this period and following a few applications at international companies, I got the chance to move to England and work on some multi-million pound construction projects, most of which you can read about in posts by clicking my “onsite” tab.
Despite having worked on commercial building projects in recent years, I have always had a keen interest in historic and sustainable buildings. I grew up surrounded by unique building innovations designed by my father – a talented and self-trained architect and joiner – and this initially motivated me to go into the construction industry.
More recently, through membership of both English Heritage and The York Society of Engineers (which run lectures and field trips on their projects), I have been inspired to pursue a second masters degree in the conservation of historic buildings at the University of Cardiff.
In terms of other interests, I was born into a family of cycling fanatics (or “cycloholics”) with several competitive cyclists across the generations, including my talented ultra-cyclist brother, whom I have supported throughout his impressive career in various ways, including driving the “support car” during overnight races.
In September 2022, we all cycled the North Coast 500 in the North of Scotland together and on later occasion through the Italian Dolomites. In early 2023, I also completed solo bike tours around the Southern Irish coast clocking thousands of kilometres on “véloroutes” way-marked by the Vélo Tourisme in France.
Most recently, my partner accompanied me on a 500+ kilometre tour of Northern Holland and our next adventure will take us back to the Northern tips of Scotland to ‘bag’ some islands along the 200 mile long Hebridean Way.