What made you choose a career in this industry?
I’ve always wanted to be an architect. Even before I knew how to spell the word architect, I knew I wanted to be one. When I was very young I was drawing sketches of the house I grew up in. From the minute I started studying architecture I have enjoyed it and since I started working it has never felt like work.
Would you describe architecture to be a hobby of yours?
My job strays into hobby territory. For instance, at the weekend if I’ve got some sketches that need to be done, I’m very happy to go into the office and do them.
What advice would you give to an aspiring architect?
I think one answer would be to look around you, look at your environment, look at the columns and structures and try to develop feelings for those things. Think about the design of the buildings you use and how they may have been constructed. Try to develop a visual appreciation for the buildings around you. How do they work structurally? how are they heated? Architecture is a very practical profession, but it also includes a lot of creativity and design, so try and further your passion for these.
What is the most important lesson you have learnt throughout your career?
Never take anything for granted. Check, check, check and check again. Be honest with clients and be as friendly as you can be with them. Your relationship with clients is important. Know where you want to win your battles.
Why apprentices? Why does Reigate Architects hire apprentices? What are the benefits?
To be perfectly honest I didn’t know much about apprentices until Lauren (our first apprentice who has been with us for two years now) came knocking on the door. Lauren had good grades and was very passionate about architecture. Apprentices are with you for four years – they can develop many skills and are able to grow as an architect. With an architect student in their year-out from university, the same amount of training and hours are poured into them but they are only there for a year. You get to spend more time guiding and helping apprentices to become a good architect; it is incredibly rewarding.
How has your industry changed over the years?
I officially became an architect when I was 28 after finishing my university course two years prior. So, I have been an architect for 38 years. The use of computers has been the one big change. When I first started working, we didn’t have computers or emails, we had drawing boards and typewriters. We posted drawings and typed letters out to clients and waited a few days for a reply. No fax machines and no internet, if we wanted to find something out, we had to go to the library and research it ourselves. The speed of working has become quicker. But the act of designing hasn’t changed much, there’s still just you and your thoughts and ideas and, to start with, a pen and paper.
What are your career highlights?
I’m not a person who gets particularly proud of myself and what I have done. I have been involved of several major projects in the UK and overseas. At Bluewater I was one of two designers who delivered the scheme, and was personally responsible for about £350 million worth of work. Bluewater is high up there in terms of its shopping experience even after 30 years. But I’m proud of every single job Reigate Architects produces, whether it’s a £50,000 or a £2,000,000 project they all get the same attention and I’m equally proud of them all.
What do you love most about your industry?
There are certain parts of the building process which are inevitably more enjoyable than others, but every part of the job can be described as problem- solving. I love that a good piece of architecture has the power to improve someone’s life. If you do your job as an architect correctly and design a beautiful extension or building, there is almost a sense of wizardry.
What did your previous 9-5 look like and what does it look like now?
My days working in London were long. I would leave to catch the 7.40 train in the morning and return at the same time in the evening. The days were long, and I was away from my family a lot. Working locally has let me spend more time in Reigate with my family. I love Reigate because it has fantastic access to London whilst also being so close to the countryside.
What qualifications do you need to be an architect?
The word ‘architect’ is a legally protected term, meaning that to call yourself an architect or Reigate Architects you need to be a qualified architect. But variations of the word ‘architect’, such as ‘architectural designer’ are not protected – so you may need to check what qualifications such designers might have. You don’t need to be a member of the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) to be an architect, but you must be qualified and registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB). You can check if someone is a qualified architect by going to the ARB website and searching their name or firm name.