Macourley James first joined Corstorphine & Wright in 2019 before returning to university to complete his Part II studies in 2021. We were then delighted to welcome him back once again and support his progression through Part III to becoming a fully qualified Architect.
To celebrate this achievement, Macourley spoke to us about his experiences.
What was your experience of completing your Architecture education?
I began this journey at Coventry University where I completed my Undergraduate degree. After a couple of years in professional practice, I then really enjoyed studying at the Welsh School of Architecture for both my Part II and Part III. The Part II course gave me a mix of part-time and full-time study and it was an easy decision to continue there for my Part III, a huge reason being that the quality of course leadership is outstanding.
What are you currently working on?
Currently, I mostly work on city living and mixed-use schemes. I really enjoy the problem-solving aspect of working on city centre schemes and the opportunity to add to the ever-evolving landscape of big cities like Birmingham.
I have been fortunate to work across several different sectors. I am especially proud of the early design work and accessibility focus of Staffordshire University Student Village and the positive reception this has received. I also really enjoyed working on the Belgrade Theatre early in my career.
Now that you have some more free time, how will you be spending it?
I have been enjoying having more time for my hobbies like building Lego sets, my favourite one so far has been The Star Wars Razor Crest. I also tutor part-time at Birmingham City University on the BA Interior Architecture course. I think it’s hugely important to participate in the next education of architectural professionals and I’m inspired by their enthusiasm for Architecture.
What advice do you have for those about to embark on their Part III studies?
- Don’t worry if you don’t know everything, that’s the point of being in education.
- Spread out your studies and do a bit every day, rather than trying to sprint at the end.
- Collaborate with your colleague, their expertise and experiences are valuable.
- Keep up with your Professional Experience Development Record (PEDR) in real-time—don’t leave it until the end!
