Reflections; On my time in practice
Arriving at PAD studio as a fresh graduate, every task initially felt significant and unfamiliar. The language of practice took time to understand, and it quickly became clear that observation, listening, and asking questions were essential to my development. Over time, through working across a range of projects and alongside colleagues, consultants, and contractors, I gained a much clearer understanding of the responsibilities we hold as architects — to clients, the environment, local communities, and to the integrity of the design process.
Time in practice opened interests and ways of working that were not accessible during university. Collaboration has been central to this experience, shaping my understanding of how thoughtful architecture emerges through shared knowledge and dialogue. Design once felt abstract and largely driven by a written brief that at times felt impersonal or unrealistic. Engaging directly with clients, visiting sites, and seeing buildings develop from the ground up has given architecture a tangibility, depth, and purpose that I had not previously experienced.
Throughout my time at PAD, my understanding of architectural process, materiality, and both technical and conceptual design evolved steadily, playing a significant role in nurturing my curiosity and supporting my development. This progression has given me the confidence to move forward and take what feels like a natural step into my master’s studies in September — an opportunity to build on the ideas, questions, and interests that have developed during this period. At the same time, the experience has highlighted that learning in architecture is continuous; the more I have learnt, the more questions emerge, which I find motivating and incredibly exciting.
Working at PAD has impacted not only the trajectory of my professional career but also my personal growth. The studio has been an incredibly supportive environment, offering trust, encouragement, and space to develop. Over the past two years, colleagues have become mentors, role models, and friends, often showing more confidence in my abilities than I had myself. I leave with genuine gratitude for the generosity, care, and integrity that define PAD studio, and I hope to carry these values forward throughout my future in architecture.
If someone had asked me five or even two years ago what an architect is, what they do, or what impact they have, I would have answered with a naïve confidence grounded in general knowledge rather than lived experience. As I move into my final week at PAD studio, my understanding is now shaped by practice — collaboration, responsibility, and care. This experience has given me not only the tools and foundations to progress professionally, but also a clearer sense of the values I want to carry forward as I continue to grow into the architect, and the person, I aspire to be.