My experience at Snug Architects helped me to develop the skills and knowledge required to make myself a competent and capable architect. Working in professional practice furthered my understanding of how a practice is run, giving me insight into construction procurement processes, planning system, and an awareness of the range and delivery of services architectural practices provide. I partook in regular cpd lectures, and used skills gained in my planning placement to produce the office’s first Heritage Statement without assistance from a planning consultant. I have been involved in and observed projects through from RIBA Stage 1 to 3, liaising with other built environment consultants, and developing an appropriate manner of professionalism. I helped to produce Design and Access Statements, BID documents, Feasibility Studies, various documents for client consultation; using diagrams, hand sketching, renders, and architectural plans.

Part of my UWE Agency Project Student Placement, I am acting as an assistant planner with CSJ Planning consultancy. For five weeks I will produce documents and forms for projects the consultancy is presently working on. Being involved in a range of smaller projects I will get the opportunity to experience a wider breadth of tasks which will provide an understanding of the wider planning process, both in policy and legislation, and their interaction.

Atkins architects engaged us in activities that gave us opportunities to discuss and develop an understanding of professional practice. Myself and five others were shown around the Atkins office and two projects our mentors were working on that were in the process of construction; we discussed the process of procurement and applying for part one jobs; and partook in a design review. These experiences, and the enthusiastic and inspiring people I met, gave me an enjoyable and insightful glimpse into the architectural profession.

As a third year student I assisted the tutors and associate lecturers with the year one design studio module. I was required to understand the project outputs and encourage and support students through conversation and drawing. This improved my skills of critical analysis and idea generation. As a fellow student I was able to answer questions that an associate lecturer might not; having more recently gone through the same experience of my first year studying architecture.

My responsibilities included restocking and cleaning shelves, working behind the till, assisting anybody should they need help, and preparing to close the shop for the night.