Chris Gross

MEng (Hons) MPhil PhD CEng MICE
Conservation Accredited Engineer

Director

Chris is a director for the practice and leads the conservation and re-use side of the business and is a Conservation Accredited Engineer. He is responsible for the HR functions of the practice.

Chris joined Integral in 2015 and became a Director in 2024. He has extensive experience working on conservation and re-use projects. Chris is involved throughout all stages of projects and works closely with the other design team members at the early stages to understand the client brief, define the direction of the project, significance and conservation philosophy. He strongly believes that getting this right from the outset is essential as it sets the framework for all design decisions. On both conservation and re-use projects he aims to make the minimum structural interventions possible as this retains existing fabric, uses the least material and therefore minimises embodied carbon and is cost efficient. He has extensive experience of working with Conservation Officers, Historic England and heritage funding bodies.

As well as his work on historic buildings Chris has a background in natural building materials having researched both straw bale and hemp lime construction. He won the Howard Medal and Palmer Prize both from the Institution of Civil Engineers for his work on straw bale construction. He is a contributor to the Architects Pocket Book.

Outside work Chris has five chickens who provide him with fresh eggs every day as well as being friendly pets for his family. In his spare time he enjoys cycling and spending time with his family.