28 years of hard knocks: architectural wisdom for the next generation

Building better: practical insights from decades in architecture and construction

What do nearly three decades of hard knocks in the tough worlds of architecture and construction get you? A fair bit of practical experience, hard-won knowledge, and the wisdom necessary to help you design spaces that truly feel right and function better.
Recently, I had the privilege of sharing some of these insights with Year 9 students at The Ruth Gorse Academy in Leeds, students who are considering architecture as a potential career path.

For anyone – students, Clients, or fellow professionals – who are curious about what those 28 years have taught me, here are some snippets of architectural wisdom and observations from my journey. You can thank me later. 🙌

8 lessons learned

1. The impact of good [and bad] design

Good architecture can fundamentally change people’s lives for the better.

It provides safe, beautiful, and efficient environments that support our mental and physical well-being. But here is the critical flipside: the opposite is also true. Bad or careless architecture can actively detract from life quality. Please, please, try not to do bad architecture, people. Our work has a lasting legacy.

2. The path to qualification is a marathon

The academic route to becoming a fully qualified architect still takes a long time and requires a significant financial investment. While the academic journey is valuable, if you can, it’s certainly worth exploring alternative routes, like the architectural apprenticeship pathway, which can offer a more practical and debt-friendly approach.

3. Climate change is our design brief

Climate change is real, and it must be at the forefront of every design decision. As designers, we have a vital role to play. Helping to design more energy-efficient buildings, utilising natural and sustainable materials where possible, is not a trend – it’s a professional and ethical imperative to reduce our collective impact.

4. The reality of running a micro-practice

If you dream of owning a small practice, understand this: a significant amount of your time is NOT spent on design work.

As a micro architectural practice owner, much of the week is dedicated to the crucial, supporting tasks necessary to keep the business, in business – things like project management, invoicing, marketing, and client communication.

5. Be realistic about earning potential

I like to think that architecture is a highly skilled and respected profession, you probably won’t earn as much money as you might if you compare yourself to certain other fields, such as law or medicine, early in your career. However, if your passion is truly to make a difference through design, the rewards are often far greater.

6. Architecture opens doors to many careers

Studying architecture provides one of the most robust and holistic educational backgrounds available. Even if you don’t become a practicing architect or architectural technologist, the skills you learn – design thinking, problem-solving, visual communication, and project management – lead to countless spin-off careers in areas like construction, theatre stage designer, online creator, architectural illustrator, retrofit assessor, interior designer, energy / carbon consultant + loads more

7. Resilience and optimism are essential tools

This industry is challenging. You will face setbacks, budget constraints, and planning hurdles. You need to have a resilient mindset and an optimistic outlook to navigate the complexities of the pre-construction and construction processes and remain creatively energised. Rewards come to those who stick with it.

8. Architecture is about people and their stories

Ultimately, in my opinion, architecture is about people and their stories. Our core mission is to create nice buildings and great places to make life better for all people, while simultaneously preserving the planet. The fancy drawings, the technical specifications, and the models are merely the tools we use to communicate our ideas on how to help those people, all while fitting within legislative frameworks and managing budgets.

A nod to the future

Despite being a bit shy, I genuinely think the students I met valued the opportunity to hear an unfiltered perspective on the industry. It was interesting for them, and I sincerely hope that for one or two, it might have inspired them to get involved.

A huge shout-out to the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists [CIAT] for helping to promote the Discover Creative Careers Month 2025 programme! Engaging with the next generation is vital for our industry’s future.

And finally, to any of the “negative naysayers” in the architectural community who might say or think things like “don’t do it, there’s no money in it,” I say this: Architecture is hard work, but it is one of the most rewarding professions on the planet. If you are driven by passion, a love for solving complex problems, and a desire to build a better future, there’s no better path.