Portfolio

Born in 1945, the younger son of a Master Builder and Decorator, Jack Barrett of Salisbury, Adrian has worked in the construction and decorating industry since leaving school in 1962.
He spent four years studying decoration, general contract management and estimating, in Bournemouth, before joining his family’s decorating business in Salisbury. 
Further study and examination led to Fellowships of both the Chartered Institute of Building and the Chartered Society of Designers.  Later he studied for and was awarded the degree of an MSc in Construction Management from the University of Bath.
From 1966 – 76 Adrian was jointly responsible for the estimation and supervision of more than 3400 decorating and small works contracts.
In 1977 Adrian opened his own Consultancy in Architectural and Interior Design.  During the following twelve years he designed and managed many small works projects (up to £1.5 million in today’s values) in the UK including alterations, renovations and extensions as well as both private and commercial interior design  To date he has completed over 550 contracts in the UK. These have included: listed buildings, private houses, hotels, public houses, wine bars, fast food and conventional restaurants, private schools, retirement homes, offices, shops, a snooker hall, an amusement arcade and other commercial establishments and the reconstruction of buildings following major fires.  He has also designed a number of new buildings. 
In the late 1980s he saw and took the opportunity to do similar work in France for British people who were, by then, flocking there to buy property.  He has completed over 200 contracts in France covering most areas of the country and always working with local artisans.  Generally, Adrian has travelled to France up to 30 times a year for several days at a time to meet clients and to plan and oversee his various projects.
In 1990 in the UK, Adrian’s name was added to the Law Society Register of Expert Witnesses and he now works regularly with lawyers in cases relating to construction, decorating or design.  This has taken him all over the UK and to other parts of Europe.
In September 2008 He completed forty six years in construction and decorating and has established a reputation for excellence in his profession.  A ‘one-man’ business, his clients are assured of his personal attention at all times, can rely on his considerable experience in all areas of work undertaken and know that he considers a job completed only when he and his client are totally satisfied. He always aspires to the highest standards and expects the same from contractors.
Adrian still attends professional courses in order to keep abreast of current methods, techniques and styles and keeps an up to date mini library of English and French construction norms and regulations. However, these days he also makes considerable use of the internet.
He is bi-lingual in English and French.
Because of the great demand for his work both in the UK and in France, Adrian now only accepts commissions that require a high level of technical and/or design input and most cases for expert witness.
This is to ensure that he can make best use of his wide range of technical expertise in both construction and decoration and also his many years of experience in the industry.
M.Sc.
Master of Science
(University of Bath)
Construction Management
F.C.I.O.B.
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building
City and Guilds of London Institute
Decorator’s Work Advanced Craft Certificate
Other qualifications
Adrian also held a Fellowship of the Chartered Society of Designers for 20 years but resigned from it in Dec 2008 at the start of his semi-retirement when was 63. He had also held a Fellowship of the Incorporated Institute of British Decorators and Interior Designers until the BID merged with the CSD some years before.