Would I Encourage My Child to Become an Architect?

A few weeks ago, my partner asked me:

"If our child wanted to become an architect, would you encourage them?"

As an architect, educator and practice owner, I was surprised by my own answer.

Yes, I would absolutely encourage them to study architecture… but I'm not sure I would encourage them to follow the traditional route to becoming an architect.

That probably sounds unexpected coming from someone who has spent nearly two decades studying, teaching and practising architecture. I'm fiercely proud of being an architect. I value the creativity the profession demands, the breadth of knowledge it requires and the impact it can have on people's lives.

Join us at Studio Manifest. We’re seeking a Part 2 Architectural Assistant to join our team. You will play a leading role not only in project delivery but also in business development, thought leadership, and our active research agenda.

We talk a lot about energy efficiency in homes, and rightly so. Our articles on Air Source Heat Pumps and The Value of Insulation highlight how crucial it is to reduce the energy we use day-to-day – what we call 'operational carbon'. But there's a bigger picture: the hidden impact of your home, long before you even move in.

Join us at Studio Manifest. We’re seeking an experienced Architect to join our team. You’ll lead projects, mentor the team and drive studio growth.

We are delighted to announce that we are now an accredited London Living Wage employer. This means that every member of our team receives at least £13.85 per hour - the only wage rate independently calculated to reflect the real cost of living in the capital.

Merry Christmas from Studio Manifest - 2024 in review

Pitched House, by Studio Manifest, featured in Homebuilding & Renovating magazine

Studio Manifest feature in Enki Magazine

Join us at Studio Manifest. We’re seeking a Part 1 Architect to join our team.

Join us at Studio Manifest. We’re seeking a skilled Architect or Architectural Technician to join our team. You’ll lead projects, mentor the team and drive studio growth.

We are delighted to have been featured once again in the October 23 issue of @real_homes

We’re delighted to be showcased as RIBA London’s Practice of the Month for April.

Last week saw the launch of our long term collaborative project with the University of Suffolk and BT, the ‘DigiTech Smart House’. We have been working with the Architecture students from the university for several years to design this ‘living laboratory’; a model for future house design using 50% less embodied carbon than most new-builds, and designed to be carbon-neutral for day-to-day living.

Many people have wanted to switch to renewable energy sources at home for a long time, as it’s critical to reducing our collective carbon emissions. Yet due to the technology being relatively new, it has remained expensive to do so.