Part of the Picture

Valuing graduates in architectural practice

These case studies show a sample of architectural assistants working in practice today. They highlight the contribution young professionals make to the successful delivery of architectural projects, large and small. Please click the thumbnails above to read the individual stories.

The seven featured graduates are employed in a range of offices across the UK, performing various roles in practice and on-site. As post Part 1 or Part 2 graduates, all have studied for a career in architecture and hope to qualify as architects. Some are currently working towards their Part 3 qualification, and are in a better position than many of their peer group – they are in paid employment in the profession they trained to work in.

The ‘Part of the Picture’ project was conceived by RIBA as a prompt to architectural practices to reflect on their current policies on the employment of students and graduates. All sectors of the architecture profession have suffered in recent years, but the younger generation of architects is often the first to feel the impact. This project therefore seeks to highlight the value of this group in delivering high quality architectural services.

As you read the individual case studies you will discover why. Thanks to a partnership with RIBA Appointments, we have commissioned portraits by photographer James Whitaker. Various employment situations are brought to life, each contributor explaining their perspective on work in practice and the skills they bring to the table.

Some practices will say our architecture students are unprepared for a commercial office environment. And inevitably there will always be an element of support and training needed - but surely that applies to all industries and generations, and is a cycle to nurture and cherish? By doing so we create diverse and dynamic work environments where design ideas can be shared and all staff are working at levels appropriate to their experience.

All parts of our profession need to act to improve the current employment situation. Architectural students, whose debt continues to mount, have to be open to a range of options in which to practise architecture. Schools of architecture need to adapt and forge links with industry, and the RIBA should continue to shape professional experience policies. To find out about changes the RIBA has recently implemented in this area, please visit: www.pedr.co.uk

Hopefully this project emphasises the importance of community in our unique profession as we work to promote the value of architecture and architects to a wider audience.

Laura Broderick,
Special Projects Co-ordinator, RIBA