All of us at Corstorphine & Wright are delighted to congratulate Tanim Ahmed who has passed his Part III certification to fully qualify as an Architect.
Tanim has worked with us at Corstorphine & Wright for two years and is based in our Birmingham studio
We are so pleased to spotlight him to celebrate this achievement and learn more about his inspirations for becoming an architect, as well as some advice for those who are embarking on their own Part III journey.
What drove you to study architecture?
I decided to study architecture early, at the age of 11 and was inspired by the works of Zaha Hadid. Her innovative designs and bold use of forms captivated my imagination, which was further influenced by my interest in automotive design. I was particularly drawn to fluid forms and creating spaces that were both sculptural and practical.
Later in my architectural journey, I discovered the works of prominent Southeast and East Asian architects such as Sou Fujimoto, Kenzo Tange, and Marina Tabassum which influenced a lot of my undergraduate and postgraduate portfolio and research.
Can you describe your experience of studying for your Part III?
Part III was a challenging but incredibly rewarding experience. Aside from being the last academic step to becoming an Architect, it was an opportunity to learn about the contractual, business management and legal aspects of architecture and apply that knowledge whilst working on live projects at Corstorphine & Wright.
What projects did you focus on? What interests you about this work?
My Part III case study focused on Oakley Grove School. I had not previously worked on any school projects before this, and I was eager to understand and learn more about the requirements for an all-through school. The project included a dedicated Nursery, Primary, and Secondary school as well as a state-of-the-art Sports Hall. Being part of the architectural design team for this project and knowing that the buildings will be used to teach and inspire future generations to pursue their ambitions and dreams was a very fulfilling experience.
What advice do you have for those about to embark on their Part III studies?
Part III requires a lot of hard work and sacrifice, and it is important to remember that it is not supposed to be easy.
Three tips that helped me are:
- Complete your Professional Experience Development Record (PEDR) as early as possible; they take longer to finish than most of us anticipate.
- Leverage the experience of your colleagues; they will have various tips on how they managed their Part III course and recommend useful resources.
- Most importantly, remember that your mental and physical wellbeing comes first. Nearly all Part III courses are flexible and designed to accommodate the fact that you will be working in practice while studying. Tutors understand that you will have office-related deadlines, so don’t stress yourself!
