Skip to main content
Max Duval

Max Duval

Web Tech Lead

Web Tech Lead at Hometrack

London, England, United Kingdom🇬🇧
Preferred workplace:Hybrid
Report

Building robust & delightful sites.

Now it’s UK property data visualisation and insights at Hometrack. Previously it was the news at the Guardian. Before that it was more mortar than software.

Activity

Active on:Bluesky networkio.tngl.jake.ypds.updatecommunity.lexicon.location.geo

Loading activity...

View full activity

Career: 14

Web Tech Lead

Hometrack

Jul 2024 - Present

Built a new platform to explore, visualise and gain insights on the UK property market: Data Hub. – Brought deployment times down to a few minutes – Improved API performance fivefolds when processing geospatial data – Launched a Web Guild of frontend engineering excellence

Senior Software Engineer

The Guardian

London, England, GB · Hybrid

Jun 2021 - Jul 2024

Delivering news to millions of readers every day. I have worked in several cross-functional teams encompassing design, product, data analysis, user support and editorial stakeholder. – Reduced digital exclusion by designing for low-performance devices – Improved standardisation of tools, code style and documentation. Read more on “Standardisation: the merit of consistent patterns” – Introduced AVIF images, addressing a major user complain on image quality while reducing overall bandwidth by ~6% – Rebuilt the internal web analytics tool to enable developers to contribute new features. A critical strategic tool for knowing our users – Halved deployment times, which increased team cadence, engineering confidence and stakeholder satisfaction

ReactScala

Software Engineer

The Guardian

Jun 2020 - May 2021

Full Stack Engineer

MXDVL

Jan 2007 - Jun 2020

With over 10 years of experience with building for the web, I have offered services ranging from fully managed websites to transitioning away from legacy platforms. For over 5 years, I have implemented a single source of truth by refactoring multiple databases in several projects. · Built web-based video games, including multiplayer with Node.js. · Rich landing pages using WebGL with Three.js. · Integrated online payment with the Stripe platform. · Improved Google page speed insight by 40-60 points on average. · Developed JSON APIs in PHP to expose data to collaborators. · Familiar HTML/CSS, the JAMStack, many PHP CMS, and Node.js.

HTMLCSSPHPNginxLinux

Architectural Designer / Building Information Modeling Lead

Allies and Morrison

Aug 2018 - May 2020

At this practice known for its place-making, I deepened my knowledge on projects ranging from conceptual propositions to construction documents. My work is always rigorous and thorough, using the latest technologies best suited for the task at hand. · Built testing tools for key project metrics using Grasshopper, ranging from sustainability to unit mix. Solar analysis as part of the design process leads to major savings in building envelope performance. · Leveraged BIM to deliver project documentation on tight deadlines and trained the team throughout, exceeding all targets. · Streamlined internal scheduling systems to reduce typical feedback loop to under a minute.

CAD3DSketchingMicrosoft Excel

Architectural Designer

Florian Busch Architects

Shibuya City, Tokyo, JP · On-site

Mar 2017 - Jul 2018

· Skilfully produced images for a research project offering an alternative to the 2020 Tōkyō Olympic stadium. Published in The Japan Times, Rethink Tokyo and Designboom. · Designed and worked all phases of a house and studio in central Tōkyō with tight spatial and regulatory constraints.

Architectural Designer

Richard Bliah Associates

Chiyoda City, Tokyo, JP

Jul 2016 - Jan 2017

· Developed winning concepts for offices and urban strategies in mainland China and Japan. · Built complex digital generative and data-driven models, and trained others to do it. · Produced and reviewed photo-realistic architectural and urban renderings.

Architectural Designer

Provencher_Roy

Montreal, Quebec, CA · On-site

Sep 2015 - Apr 2016

· Honed my model-making skills using rapid prototyping tools like foam, resin casting, 3D printing and laser cutting. Managed the office fabrication lab and training. · Curated and designed a successful exhibition of the ongoing projects of the office, with a strong focus on process, iterative and multidisciplinary work. · Won a competition for a mixed-use project.

Researcher

McGill University – School of Architecture

Montreal, Quebec, CA

Jul 2012 - Apr 2015

· Learned the philosophical foundations of fabricative knowledge, research-creation and interdisciplinary techniques and received several grants from SSHRC. · Developed a series of self-sustained prefabricated shacks for the Canadian climate. http://www.farmmresearch.com/mmot/

Assistant de recherche

UQÀM – École de design

Montreal, Quebec, CA

Jun 2010 - May 2011

Réalisation d'une plateforme web de recherche d’actions et d’évènements urbains. Création d'un tableau dynamique de recherche grâce à Javascript, PHP & MySQL.

Assistant de cours

UQÀM – École de design

Jan 2010 - Oct 2010

Assistant de cours du DESS en design d'évènement. Réalisation d'un site web pour les finissants.

Assistant de recherche

UQÀM – École de design

Aug 2010 - Sep 2010

Travail sur une étude d'analyse de l'UQAM en plans et en images: Réalisation d'un livre de plans de l'UQAM à la Nolli. Réalisation d'un pliage de photos de l'UQAM à la Ruscha.

Création de modèles AutoCAD

Dawn of War Productions

Mar 2010

Réalisation d'objets en 3D et d'un motif en 2D pour le film Immortals sorti en 2011. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1253864/

Adjoint administratif

LafontaineLangford, architectes

Jun 2009 - Jul 2009

Modélisation 3D, relevés architecturaux et autres tâches.

Skills: 18

Technical

CADCSSHTMLJavaScriptLinuxMicrosoft ExcelNginxPHP
ReactScalaWeb Development

Business

Project Management

Creative

DesignPrototypingSketching

Other

3DData VisualisationSpatial Modelling

Projects: 2

Data Hub

data.hometrack.com/

The Guardian

theguardian.com/

Education: 3

McGill University

Master, Architecture

Jan 2011 - Jan 2015

Directed research project focused on the potential for architecture behind computer screens: A World Digital.

Université du Québec à Montréal

Baccalauréat

2008 - 2011

Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf

BI, DEC & DES

2004 - 2008

Awards: 4

Ray Affleck Prize in Design (Honourable Mention)

May 2015

Established in 1989 in memory of Raymond Tait Affleck (FRAIC, RCA), B.Arch. 1947, by his family, colleagues and friends. Awarded to a student in the School of Architecture for distinction in design in the M.Arch. (Professional) final design project. The winner will be selected by a jury of three members, at least one of whom is an architect outside the School of Architecture.

Hugh McLennan Memorial Scholarship

Mar 2015

Established by the Hon. John Stewart McLennan, Dr. Francis McLennan and Miss Isabella McLennan in memory of Hugh McLennan, son of the Hon. John Stewart McLennan, killed at the Battle of Ypres in 1915. Awarded for travel to the student who has maintained the highest standing throughout professional studies in Architecture. Selection is made by a Committee of Staff of the School of Architecture.

Médaille du Lieutenant-gouverneur pour la jeunesse

May 2011

Reçue pour « avoir fait preuve de dépassement de soi et d’abnégation par son implication tangible au sein de son milieu scolaire ou communautaire. »

Bourse COOP-UQÀM en arts

Sep 2010

Reçue pour avoir « [fait] preuve d'implication communautaire au sein de la collectivité de l'UQAM. »

Volunteering: 1

Future Frontiers

Languages: 6

English(Native or bilingual)
Français(Native or bilingual)
Allemand(Elementary)
Espagnol(Elementary)
Japonais(Elementary)
Serbe(Elementary)

Also find Max Duval on…