When it is time to apply for job positions within architecture firms, It is important to show you have the skills that are desired in the job role.

However, It is equally important to consider your own requirements from a place of work. Will this practice be a good fit for you?

The majority of architecture firms operating in the UK are classed as ‘small’ firms. Therefore it’s likely as a young architect or architectural assistant you will apply for a position in this category. To help you prepare for work in a small practice, read this list of likely job roles and expectations.

🍊 Team Size: 1-10 no. of employees

🍊 Common Software used: AutoCAD, SketchUp, Adobe

🍊 Types of projects: Residential; Extensions, 1-2 unit developments, housing schemes and occasional small public projects.

Find out more 👇

Close working Relationships

Small architecture firms are usually quite intimate working spaces. Working closely with your colleagues, often young architects gain work experience on various stages of projects.

Have a Voice in Meetings

You will likely attend design meetings with the whole team, get involved in the discussion and liaise with clients and contractors.

Gaining diverse experience

Gaining work experience and building a professional portfolio is extremely important. As small architecture firms have a hands-on attitude. You will work closely with the lead architect and architectural technician on planning and technical drawings. Plumping up your portfolio and learning the construction side of design.

Learning how to run a business

Greater opportunity to learn how to run a business. It is likely the back end operations of a small architecture firm workflow are managed by the lead architect(s). You will be exposed to this side of the business because you’ll be shadowing the lead architect from time to time.

Face time with clients

One of your job requirements in a small practice will be to do general office admin including dealing with new enquiries and answering the phone.

What type of architecture you will work on?

Small architecture firms mainly receive residential projects mainly consisting of home extensions. Which are seen as the bread and butter of a small practice. Working closely with clients is one of the reasons projects like extensions or one-off new builds are attracted to small architecture firms.

Property developers commonly employ small practices to design large residential schemes of multiple units for planning permission. These are not the most architectural projects as the desire of the developer will be to squeeze as many units on a plot as possible. Designed to a budget and with space standard restrictions.

There will be the occasional public project on the books. It could be the local town council is wanting a new rec centre or library. A local school may be expanding and need a new block of classrooms is another example.

Conclusion

Building close relationships with colleagues and clients is the backbone of a small architecture firm. They have an interest in building a practical workforce and may employ on personality and potential as well as skills.

Although a small architecture firm may not offer large scale urbanism with exciting cinematics. The work of small scale residential projects is a challenging and great way to learn architecture in real life, how a business is run and how to manage clients.

Featured