Why Architecture?

I chose to do a degree in Architecture because I loved the idea of being creative and designing buildings and spaces which improve the world and society in the way people interact. Architecture is something that influences everybody’s life and I want to be a part of the change to tackle the climate emergency.

Even though it takes a long time to become a fully qualified architect (seven years), it’s something I am interested in and so the time is worth the payoff of me doing something that really interests me.

While currently I plan on becoming a fully qualified architect, I am still open to exploring other avenues of Conservation and Restoration, Urban Design or even Human Resources.

There is some more info. about the route to becoming a qualified architect at the end of this blog, in case you're interested.

Guest speakers and gaining wider knowledge

Throughout the year, our tutors have got guest lecturers in to talk to us about some of the work they are doing and their own ideas about architecture. Recently we had a talk by Herman Herzberger, Avi Freidman and another from Southgate and Sarabia Architects.

I have found these lectures very useful because they have engaged me more with the subject and given me an insight into architecture after university. They have shown me that there is so much more to architecture than just designing buildings; you can continue to research into the ways that people use space, why they use it the way they do and the elements which stop people from using a space.

Since not all of the architecture team are architects we get different perspectives of creativity and the ways of representing our work. It’s taught me lots of skills to do with different software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Sketchup. Skills in how to use these programs are valuable when it comes to employability since most architectural practises use these programs and more.

Communication skills

One important aspect of architecture is communication. Communicating ideas in an easy-to-follow and clear manner is a real skill because as a person who is presenting ideas and designs to a client, you need to ensure that they know exactly what is going on inside your head.

So, we are taught lots of ways to convey our ideas, from conceptual sketches to scale models of a final design. Rather than having to explain my ideas in words, I can draw them, making a visual sketch or drawing or diagram to explain my intentions. It makes the work more fun!

Inclusion skills

The course teaches us to design in a way which benefits everyone. It teaches environmentally friendly ways of working, and the resources and materials involved in making something which is considerate of its surroundings.

We are also taught to challenge traditional ways of building and about newer methods which are emerging to achieve a well-rounded, thought-out building which would have minimal negative impact on the environment. Learning about the processes and science behind passive houses and buildings which are almost totally carbon free is very intriguing. It makes me feel as though I will be an architect who has a positive affect on the world I live in.

So the skills we are taught make us very employable in the future since we will not have to be taught these sustainable ways on the job, we will already know them; especially due to the climate emergency and the drive to decrease carbon emissions. But these skills are not just limited to the workplace, they are transferable into day-to-day life.

My career development

I began looking at architecture firms in different areas of the country to contact and gain work experience. When choosing which ones to contact, I made sure to keep it broad and not too ‘specialised’ with firms that, for example, only do domestic architecture or firms which only do commercial. I want to ensure I get a feel for what is available.

I am looking to gain work experience during the summer months when I am free of university work. I think it’s important to utilise the holidays because they are great chances to go and do things which you are not able to in the term time. Before coming to university, I already had some work experience, however, you can never have enough and my perspective of architecture and the world in general is so different compared to before I began the course.

I have a strong passion about housing and using old buildings, so I tend to look at firms which do restoration projects for housing, but I still consider others which do urban housing and other areas of architecture.