London, UK
Project architect
at Concept Eight Architects
Concept Eight Architects is seeking an experienced project architect to join its team in London or Weybridge, UK.
Opportunity to rapidly develop yourself into a well-rounded architect and future opportunities to progress into management. The role offers a high level of responsibility and ownership of design led, award winning and industry recognised projects from inception to completion.
Three to five years qualified architect (RIBA and ARB registered)
Background
Concept Eight are an established design led architecture and interior design practice dedicated to the creation of imaginative residential buildings. Our work has featured in national and international press, digital publications and recognised by several awards bodies. We are 13 strong and have grown steadily over the past few years. We pride ourselves on offering varied opportunities to all staff, aiding their professional development and remunerating them well with a combination of a competitive salary and an annual bonus.
We operate out of our friendly design studio located in Weybridge, Surrey with our staff living in areas such as Southwest London, Surrey, Hampshire and surrounding areas, all enjoying the benefit of a commute against the traffic. We have excellent staff retention and make great effort to ensure the studio environment is open and friendly, with a strong social atmosphere and focus on a good work-life balance.
The practice specialises in high value single family dwelling houses and conversions, but occasionally are also involved in small scale apartment schemes. We approach all projects with a focus on design, balanced with well executed technical solutions. Our team is made up of architects, technologists and interior designers who all bring different skillsets to our projects.
More information on the practice’s work is available on our website.
Our more recent work and many live projects which are yet to feature on our website can be seen in our extensive Instagram feed.
To deal with several high-profile new commissions, we are now looking to add to our team. We are looking for a passionate, committed and design focussed architect with at least three years working experience in the UK. The candidate should have a thorough knowledge of all design and delivery stages of a project, including feasibility, planning, technical design and on-site administration. The individual should be proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, AutoCAD and SketchUp with a working knowledge of Revit.
We are seeking an individual who wishes to join a firm where they can grow individually as well as help the firm to thrive. This is aimed at an individual who is seeking to hold a long-term position at a practice to help shape theirs and the company’s future.
Duties and responsibilities
The practice has a growing workload of projects both in London and the home counties. The ideal candidate would be keen to progress their career and take on a high level of responsibility on the day-to-day delivery of one or more of these projects, reporting to an associate architect or director. As a close nit group, we are seeking someone who will easily blend into our team and be an active participant to daily office life, happily working with both senior and junior team members.
Specific current projects which the new member would be responsible for are the modernisation of a heritage estate and complete remodel with extensions to a high-end surrey home. As such experience in residential architecture is an essential requirement ideally with private clients but as we do also take on development projects an understanding of this sector is also beneficial. Experience working on listed buildings and properties within the greenbelt and/or ANOB would also be a bonus.
The candidate will have exposure to all RIBA stages and will be dealing directly with clients, consultants, suppliers, statutory bodies and contractors – ensuring a broad variety of work daily. While initially reporting to a line manager, the candidate’s long-term goal should be to take ownership of a number of several complex projects to develop themselves into a well-rounded architect and valuable member of the studio.
Typical duties are set out below but will vary from project to project.
Project delivery includes:
- concept and detail design work
- strong design credentials utilising relevant research to promote appropriate site, budget and brief specific proposals
- production of presentation material
- technical design of projects
- delivery of construction information
- production of reports, drawings, schedules and specifications
- submission of planning and listed building applications, including writing design and access statements
- an understanding of greenbelt site constraints and identifying planning strategies to successfully obtain consents in these areas
- submission of building regulation applications, including coordination of technical material
- site co-ordination and building contract administration
- understanding of project costs and construction processes
- incorporation of sustainable design principles
- acting as principal designer under CDM 2015
- on-site progress reviews and documentation
Project management duties include:
- report to project leader/director on progress of projects and project risks
- monitor fee costs and profitability of the project alongside directors
- easy graphical, verbal and written communication with client and other bodies
- planning, programming and monitoring of design work to meet deadlines
- coordination of work produced by project team, including consultants
- liaise with the client, consultants, local planning authorities and other statutory bodies and committees
- ensure project QM, CDM/H&S files are maintained in accordance with practice standards
- prepare agenda and minutes for project meetings and ability (where required) to chair meetings
- management of junior assistants assigned to your projects/team
General office duties include:
- ensure office/practice standards adhered to
- promote an environment where all team members can work to their strengths
- identify own training needs
- keep abreast of all regulatory development
- attend regular team meetings
- contribute to team successes
- set a positive example
- be prepared to help run general office duties
- get actively involved on team building and socials
Personal specification
This section sets out the requirements, competencies, skills and qualities that are sought.
Basic requirements:
- at least three years relevant qualified architect experience in residential projects in a UK practice
- an enthusiasm for quality design solutions
- a desire to develop themselves professionally, with ownership of projects
- ARB and RIBA registered
- have excellent design skills and experience in bespoke high-end residential projects
- an impeccable command of English, both written and spoken
- comfortable with a client facing role and acting as a representative of the company
- present their projects confidently
- undertake technical research relevant to projects
- must be able to work well as part of a team internally as well as wider external project teams
- must be willing to help others when needed and willing to work with both junior and senior team members
- an ability to turn around quality work within a swift timeframe and in an efficient and effective manner
- must demonstrate a can-do attitude
- good problem-solving skills
IT and other competencies:
- ability to hand-draw and sketch to a decent standard
- good command of CAD (Concept 8 Architects works primarily in AutoCAD)
- good command of office systems (Word, Excel, Project) – essential
- good presentation skills (Adobe Photoshop and InDesign required)
- good computer modelling skills (Concept 8 Architects works in SketchUp)
- prepared to understand and work on C8 time keeping and in house QA procedures
- working knowledge of Revit, ideally but not essential
- good working knowledge of NBS specification (NBS Chorus)
Professional practice skills
The candidate must be able to demonstrate competence in most if not all the following areas:
- university level education for both RIBA Part 1 and Part 2 and Part 3 in UK universities essential (or demonstrate equivalent with ARB registration)
- ability to carry out duties of an architect as set out in the RIBA’s job book
- excellent design skills, with the ability to explore and present thoughtful options for review and development
- good detailing skills, with sound knowledge of building technologies, materials and how they are assembled
- sound knowledge of technical standards, regulatory frameworks and CDM/H&S requirements
- knowledge of sustainable design principles in practice
- practice experience in high quality architectural or interiors detailing
- on-site experience
- good understanding of JCT contracts and experience in utilising these
- proficiency in AutoCAD essential Revit/BIM experience an advantage
Office requirements:
- personable, sociable and a positive member of the team
- offer opinion and review colleagues’ work
- present your ideas to the team for them to review your designs
- we run an open plan office and we encourage all team members to offer opinion and participate in design reviews
- work across teams and assist others on their projects
- arrange relevant CPD’s and suggest technical engagement for the team
- get involved in non-work team social and sports activities
- office management tasks shared by all team members in the office
- willing to attend networking events and assisting the company secure new business
Timescale
We are actively looking to fill a position now. We are setting a submission deadline of 31.03.23 however we encourage individuals to send their expression of interest sooner as the position may be filled before the deadline ends.