Progress and Progression

I have been working at the Harris Partnership continually since 2003, following completion of my Edinburgh College of Art, Architecture course and graduation with a BArch, MSc in Urban Design and exemption from RIBA Part I and Part II. I passed my Part III in 2020 and am now a registered Architect.

Initially, I worked in the Milton Keynes Office, but transferred to the Reading Office in 2013.

The Reading Office has seen some big changes over the last seven years, but now has an excellent team of staff, who work well together and some interesting projects moving forward to completion.

The Reading Office deals mainly with large Residential and Retail developments, but we also cover other interesting projects such as a church extension, a manege/riding school, conservation barn work, residential permitted development work and listed building works for a private school.

EARLY LIFE AND CHOICES

My passion in life is Art, from an early stage I knew that I would attend University and that it would be something connected with Art. Neither of my parents had managed to attend University and my mother was particularly keen that I was given the opportunity.

Not having much of a direction other than Art, I progressed through A Levels and then enrolled in an Art Foundation Course, in the hopes it would show me the way. I had an inkling to move into Graphic Design, as I wanted a career with structure (not teaching or living as an artist), but wasn't sure it was the best fit for me; I knew I tended to come up with two or three strong designs not the multiples needed for Graphic Design.

Prior to attending the Foundation Course, I accepted an opportunity from a cousin (Peter Bushnell) who is a Quantity Surveyor; he would let me work with him for a week, doing some sketching and tasks around the office, but also taking me to a few meetings where I would meet at least one Architect. He knew Quantity Surveying wasn't for me, but had seen some of my sketchbooks (where intending to write stories I had become sidetracked creating plans of the castles or cities where the stories would be set) and thought Architecture might be something that I would enjoy.

I had not been introduced to Architecture as an option before and it intrigued me. I had loved my Art trip to Barcelona the year before (seeing works by Mies van de Rohe and Gaudi, though my favourite building in Barcelona is actually Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar) and this was now an option in my head whilst I attended the Art Foundation Course.

I loved my Art Foundation Course and the tutors were very helpful; for my final project I explored the works of Frank Gehry. In due course, I applied for a placement on a Graphic Design course at University but also applied late to several Universities for Architecture.

I am not sure I entirely believe in fate, but something was drawing me towards Architecture rather than Graphic Design; I was awarded an unconditional placement at Edinburgh College of Art with an open invitation to visit before making a decision. This is in drastic contrast to Graphic Design, where I was to attend an interview; the first time I travelled over with all my portfolios and folders on the train I was prevented from onward travel by an IRA bomb threat at Birmingham Station. I was stuck in Birmingham for a couple of hours before I returned home. The interview was re-arranged, but by then I had visited Edinburgh and loved it, everyone was so friendly. I sat through the interview at Bath and knew that the University was just not for me. I declined before they gave me a decision and accepted my placement at Edinburgh College of Art.

I had no real idea of what the Architecture Course would entail, but knew that I could change if it was too much for me.

I loved it.

I look back now and wonder why Architecture was not discussed as an option during my careers advice talks at school given my aptitude for Art and Mathematics??

I am grateful to my parents for not insisting I stick to stereotypes; they allowed me to be the tom boy that I was and didn't force me into pink frills and lace when it was clear that was not me. They encouraged me to explore what I loved - art and working with my hands.

They taught me to strive for what I wanted, whilst still instilling in me a sense of integrity and honesty along with a desire to help others and nurture. This was initially evidenced from my progression from Brownies, to Guides then progression to a Young Leader and qualifying as a Guider and helping to run a Brownie pack.

I have progressed through a few trials and tribulations over the years, but relatively steadily I have reached where I am now.

RIBA III

After completing University, I decided to take some time out from continuing my education, in order to regain my confidence after an incident whilst working in Edinburgh in my final year.

I started my PEDR records in 2004, but a series of set backs, including the recession which started for us in 2007, meant that it was put on hold.

In 2010, we started to emerge from the recession and I had managed to keep my job, but not progress my Part III. I met my partner, who lived nearer the Reading Office, but as the relationship developed over the next couple of years, it became clear that I would need to either transfer to the Reading Office or leave and find a new job.

Luckily, I was able to transfer and moved to the Reading Office in 2013.

By this time, I decided to take a sideways step and pushed to be made Associate, which I gained in 2015.

In 2016, I took over the day to day running of the Reading Office and became more familiar with the managerial side of the business.

In 2017, whilst getting used to my new role, I project managed the refurbishment (including internal layout changes) of my partner's home. We often had to take quite a hands on role, as builders didn't meet our high level expectations, but managed to get the job completed before Xmas 2017.

In January 2018, I decided I had put it off long enough, I was going to sit my Part III in the next year, so I signed up for 2018/2019.

I submitted all in November 2018 and had my interview in February 2019. I spent a lot of time trying to ensure that I did copious reading in any area where I felt I did not have enough experience. Following the interview, I discovered that though they could see my strengths and experience they felt I did not have enough recorded experience in Contract Administration. So, although I passed my two day in office exam, I was asked to resit the EBA and PEDR sheets and retake my interview.

Never one to be deterred, I signed up to resubmit in November 2019. I arranged to observe a project under Intermediate Contract 2016 and attended a Contract Administration course with the RICS. I spent a lot of time comparing and contrasting contracts and looking at the different appointment criteria and as a result I was able to pass my Part III examination in 2020.

I now co-manage the Reading Office with Darren Wing and Iain Church.

FUTURE

My plans are to continue to assist in the management of the Reading Office and see if I can make it to Design Director.

As I continue with the challenges of networking, I have attended a few events related to Women in Architecture and would like to do more to assist young potential Architects to develop.

So what can I do?

After recent networking discussions and chats with teacher friends, I find that children are still pressured by the gender segregation that was in place when I was younger.

Now, I am not a staunch feminist and do not actually like the word feminist as it has been corrupted by images of 'man-hating women,' but I do think people should be judged on their talents and skills, not on their gender, sexual orientation or anything else.

I would like to do something that shows the younger generations that if you work hard you can do what you enjoy as a career.

I have signed up to mentor students at Reading University for year 2021/2022 in the hopes of offering guidance from my own experiences.