Speaking to architects recruiting for their practices has revealed interesting insights into how to impress in an online interview and whether your portfolio is telling the right story. But one common refrain among some senior staff is that too many newly qualified architects – and even those with more substantial experience – have an insufficient grasp of the technical and practical aspects of real world projects.
Demonstrate interest in "putting things together"
Director of Formation Architects, Kees van der Sande, reveals that he regards hands on experience as a big plus. His practice likes to get a sense of how practically minded an applicant is, and whether they appreciate how much time and effort goes into making things work.
This might amount to pointing out some specific things learned on site visits, or some details of instructive interactions with contractors that taught you hands on skills. For students, practical work experience outside of or complementary to study can be invaluable.
But equally, it need not be so formal: van der Sande's practice might ask applicants whether they do DIY or whether they make anything, to get a sense of who they are. For him, any evidence that a job candidate enjoys putting materials together is an excellent sign.
Formation is a practice that aims to retain projects and see them through the delivery stages. Accordingly, they place a premium on technical construction and contract knowledge among Part 3 students, and even more so when it comes to architects with a few years of work experience.
Revit is not a substitute for construction know how
Van der Sande cites an overreliance on cutting and pasting standard details – easily facilitated by software – as a common problem today.
“We see young architects that have a working knowledge of Revit and AutoCAD software, but they do not necessarily fully appreciate what they are drawing,” he points out.
“Roles that once were given to drawing technicians are increasingly being carried out by architects, but without the level of practical understanding the technicians had: a thorough understanding of how and why details work. How to keep rain out of a building, for example.”
Formation uses Revit on around half of its projects. Modelling software is great where there is repetition, he argues, but without the benefit of a suite of standard components the architect has to work out exactly what they are doing very carefully because the potential for creating problems on a project is very real.
“The future will be driven by those who know how to build. The pendulum is swinging back that way, away from the concept designer.”
Kaye Stout, Partner at PTE, echoes some of van der Sande’s thoughts on a connection between gaps in the architect’s technical knowledge and the decline of the technician.
“As a young architect, you could sit next to a technician and watch your design become a working drawing, and then go on site to see how it had turned out,” she remembers.
The Building Safety Act: what will architects need to know?
Stout points towards the arrival of the Building Safety Act in 2021 as something that will have “warning lights flashing red” in practices that do not have the right technical skills in place.
Its draft form, the Building Safety Bill is all about demonstrating competence at each stage of a project. New duties will be enforced, with serious (including criminal) consequences for non-compliance.
“When the Building Safety Act comes into play, practices cannot afford to have ill equipped members of staff who might consider that the technical aspects of design are the responsibility of someone else,” Stout warns.
“They are going to have to think about what they are drawing. They will also need to start getting their hands dirty and become more familiar with how buildings are being put together on site.”
She predicts that the Act may bring about widespread technical skills training and a new emphasis upon onsite experience. When it comes to recruitment, applicants with solid technical skills could be well placed.
Every line should communicate
Like Formation Architects, conservation specialists Donald Insall Associates is another practice that sees projects through to delivery stages. Tony Barton, Chairman of the employee owned practice, is keen to point out that, while they do not expect a young architect to have much practical experience, they invest a lot of time in ensuring their architects get plenty of it as soon as possible.
“People have to be CAD capable: everyone has to be able to produce a good standard of technical information in a timely manner,” Barton states. “But they must also be aware that every line you draw should mean something: it should be immediately comprehensible to the builders in hard hats”.
A good school of architecture will teach its students how to design working roofs, walls and floors, Barton states, and you can immediately spot this in portfolios and CVs. It is clear who can design a realisable, practical building and who cannot.
Can it be built – both technically and commercially?
Tim Bell, Director at Bell Phillips, also emphasises the value of greater practical construction knowledge, particularly among newly graduated Part 2s. He suggests that the construction technology side of courses is wrongly viewed as less creative.
“We do like to see people with a good understanding of construction principles and typical methods. Where it is lacking, it is all the more important to evidence an interest in it.”
It is design understanding that most impresses Rhea Shepherd, Senior Architect at HTA Design. She reveals that applications from Part 1s have shown impressive amounts of research this year, but that does not necessarily translate into a realisable building.
"We can teach people Revit and CAD, but can they provide a buildable answer to a brief?" she asks. "Can they think the process through to a convincing space, place or design?"
For Tim Bell, another consideration runs parallel to this: showing an understanding of the commercial realities of development. A good candidate will have an appreciation of the clients’ motivation, their perception of risk and their aspirations.
Thanks to Kees van der Sande, Director, Formation Architects; Tim Bell, Director, Bell Phillips; Kaye Stout, Partner, PTE; Tony Barton, Chairman, Donald Insall Associates; and Rhea Shepherd, Senior Architect, HTA Design.
Text by Neal Morris. This is a Professional Feature edited by the RIBA Practice team, one a series that supports architects in building career resilience.
The RIBA is interested in hearing from members about their own career challenges and successes. Please send us your own experiences, feedback and ideas.
Find out more:
- How to impress in a job interview
- Does your portfolio tell the right story?
- Seven design tips from architects for compiling your Part 1 portfolio
- How to impress a potential employer with your first architecture portfolio
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As part of the flexible RIBA CPD programme, Professional Features count as microlearning. See further information on the updated RIBA CPD Core Curriculum and on fulfilling your CPD requirements as an RIBA Chartered Member.
Article first published on 12 November 2020. Last updated on 3 February 2021.
