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Graduate case studies

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Alexander - 
Architectural & Planning Assistant

Even though many of our graduates will have progressed in their careers since completing a case study, they are still of interest to students who wish to gain an understanding of the world of work.

About the job

Main responsibilities

Draw up design schemes for bids, planning submissions and design development for both tender and construction. Design and detail housing schemes from detached homes to multi-storey apartment buildings. Ensure compliance with both council legislation, building regulation and building standards guidance.

Typical day

A typical day involves reviewing client comments on ongoing schemes and working with the project architect to update and deliver high quality designs. In a planning submission, a package of 50 drawings detailing plans and elevations of 10+ house types is not uncommon.

What do I enjoy about my job?

I really enjoy the flexible, encompassing approach to looking at the built environment and how different fields such as psychology, biology, ecology, engineering, anthropology, archaeology, history, politics, economics all come together to influence a good design. This wide impact allows me to explore a wide ranging series of interests with regard to the built environment. I also enjoy the technical resolution of translating ideas to a real built form and how an idea becomes reality.

Challenging aspects

The technical knowledge required is often high, leading to an ongoing learning process with technical providers with greater experience. Large projects can also become incredibly complicated, with lots of moving parts with multiple contractors, from the design team to engineers, building contractors and others.

Why did this area of work appeal to me?

The built environment is incredibly important to the way we live as humans in an increasingly urbanised world - affecting the way we work, relax, and enjoy leisure time but also our mental and physical health. With the additional current problem of a lack of sufficient housing provision in the country, good placemaking and design can provide housing of sufficient quality that also improves the enjoyment and quality of life of both residents and the general public. This improvement of the physical world around us really draws me in and drives the way I work.

Skills/qualifications I use in my job?

The route to full Architect chartership is long and arduous, requiring both an undergraduate (Part I) and postgraduate (Part II) degree unless taking a route with large amount of demonstrable experience. In that regard both my degrees are of use in every day on the job. My dual training in Planning at Masters level also contributes to an understanding of how to navigate the planning process and terms used.


Career information

Brief history since leaving University

Since leaving University after my first degree I worked in an architecture practice in London and a public council in Shropshire as a planning assistant. During this time I participated regularly in organised CPD sessions required by the chartering body but also events, talks and conferences in my own time. Since graduating from my postgraduate course, in addition to my full time role at HTA I am currently editing a manuscript for publication in a journal in the near future.

Where do I see myself in the future?

In the next year I intend to complete my professional qualification to achieve full chartership as an Architect and take more of a lead in running projects from inception to completion. Longer term I intend to gain experience and work towards my professional chartership as a Town Planner. Additionally, I intend to keep good relations with the University of Sheffield School of Architecture through both academic papers, but also guest reviewing student crits.


Advice to students

My piece of advice to students

Overall, be interested and be passionate in the area of the field that interests you. Architecture is a very broad field encompassing lots of different world views and approaches with no wrong answer. A holistic reading of the influences on the built environment and a critical positioning of yourself as a student within this and how you respond to those contexts will deepen a rigorous response to the problems tackled.



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Last updated: 23 Jun 2017