Learning on the Job
The Gardeners Question Time for young architecture practices, Part Four comprises of a programme of events bringing emerging practices together to pitch questions to a panel of more established practitioners.
In a special series organised by the Architecture Foundation Young Network, a trio of debates will provide an opportunity for various issues to be addressed including ideas for alternative routes of qualification and practice, how to size up to get bigger and more work, as well as the question of skills and learning on the job.
For the last event in the series, Learning on the Job, we have invited a selection of established practitioners to discuss how young practitioners can gain business, finance and detailing skills. The usual path to learn these skills is in a large office, often having to work tirelessly through independent packages without the practical understanding gained by seeing them come together on site. Should there be other means to gain those skills while making use of the energy and creativity that emerging architects offer? And are there new ways that collaboration can provide support for smaller practices from those with more experience?
The panel on the evening will comprise Sam Jacob (Sam Jacob Studio), David Howarth (DRDH) and Astrid Smitham (Apparata).
Sam Jacob is principal of Sam Jacob Studio for architecture and design. His work spans scales and disciplines ranging from master planning and urban design through architecture, design and art projects. Previously, Sam was a founding director of FAT Architecture where he was involved in many internationally acclaimed projects.
David Howarth is co-director of DRDH, which he founded in 2000 with Daniel Rosbottom. David has joint responsibility for design direction and strategy with Daniel, as well as taking overall responsibility for the management of the practice. Prior to starting the practice, David was a director of John Lyall Architects where he led a number of high profile masterplans and the design of a range of commercial, cultural and transport infrastructure projects.
Astrid Smitham is founding director of APPARATA, a studio for architecture, design and research. They design and construct buildings, furniture and books: tools for everyday life that open up unknown possibilities. They work with how things are put together: materials, structures, identities, communities, landscapes.
Making It
For the second event in the series, Making It, we will discuss how finding the work you want to do is not always possible for those starting out in practice. Often the first commission is a family member or friend of friend’s extension, or in some cases a very lucky break. Young practices are turning to smaller and smaller projects. Many hustle in order to establish multiple income streams just to get by. The validity they search for has to be proven through a series of smaller commissions from the ubiquitous residential extension to small fit-out. Why aren’t young architects trusted with the big projects?
The panel on the evening comprised of Holly Lewis (We Made That), Hikaru Nissanke (OMMX) and Heinz Richardson (Jestico Whiles).
Call Yourself an Architect?
For the inaugural event in the series, Call Yourself an Architect?, we have invited a selection of established and emerging practitioners to discuss ideas of new and future forms for architectural practice and qualification. From individuals practising without the ARB validation and defining alternative modes of working, to others with more traditional models of practices at varying scales.
The panel on the evening comprised of James Binning (Assemble), Huan Rimington (Build Up), Eddie Blake (Sam Jacob Studio) and Torange Khonsari (Public Works).