Another cause for celebration here at Corstorphine & Wright with our colleague Dan Calverley passing his RIBA Part III. Dan works from our Leeds Studio and is involved in a wide array of projects and schemes.
As a newly qualified architect, he has some top advice for those entering the industry.
There are several paths that can be pursued when looking to become an Architect. For some, continuing formal education into university is a great option but for those eager to enter the workforce, an apprenticeship is a fantastic route. This is what Dan pursued, although it wasn’t what he expected to do growing up. He told us, “Having left sixth form, I was fortunate to land an apprenticeship with an Architects practice and I have studied and worked side by side ever since.” This takes a lot of work and dedication and for Dan gave him “great practical experience but has also allowed [him] to develop some strong working relationships.” These are relationships that last an entire career:
“Some of the guys I met when I was 17 are still working in the Corstorphine & Wright Leeds studio.”
For Dan, the best part of working in architecture is seeing communities use the buildings that he has designed. He recognises the privileged position that architects hold which grants the potential to really affect people’s lives: “Seeing someone enjoy a space that you have designed and affect them in a positive way is a really great feeling.” This is why Residential, Public Realm and Urban Design sectors hold the most interest for him, “I feel they also have the most immediate impact on people’s lives and day-to-day experiences.”
Dan has a packed life outside of his professional world with two small boys and a love of cricket keeping him busy. “We are often out and about at sports events or parties but when we’re not, we’ll most likely be at the cricket club or spending time with friends and family, usually something that involves eating and drinking.”
Taking on Part III studies is a huge undertaking, and we know that many of those entering this stage are looking for as much advice as they can find. Dan tells us that his top advice is to just get on with your case study! “There always seems a bit of a hesitancy to start your case study in earnest but it’s a huge piece of work, so try and break the back of it as early as possible. This will then allow your exam preparation and reading to feed into the final drafts.”
