London, UK
Project architect
at Kennedy Woods Architecture
Kennedy Woods Architecture is seeking a project architect to help on a range of education sector jobs with its team in London.
Who you are
You are a collaborative designer who sees the ability to work together with other people as the key to successful projects and is interested in creating a positive impact in the world through built projects.
You are a free-thinker who takes initiative, enjoys autonomy within the framework of a brief and can develop a line of conceptual thinking. You are a competent designer with an understanding of processes and construction, who enjoys grappling with different scales and can work outside of their past experience.
You pride yourself on your ability to communicate ideas through images, drawings and writing and are particular about detail, but not precious. You are able to understand how to adapt communication to suit different audiences (most importantly, non-architects) and enjoy being inventive with the tools and media you use to make communication engaging and inspiring.
You aren’t tied to any particular style, instead you like to find suitable responses grounded in real context, challenges or tensions you discover in a brief. Despite this you have a strong aesthetic sensibility and appreciate clarity, simplicity and innovation in design.
Who we are
Kennedy Woods mission is to design kind, clever places to help people learn and grow. From school estate masterplans to interior fit-outs, we work hand-in-hand with schools and nurseries to create outstanding learning environments across a range of architectural scales.
As the UK’s first B Corporation architecture studio, we are dedicated to supporting innovative, sustainable development and our process is underpinned by user-centred design principles, including user-research and engagement.
Our office is a light-filled studio, two minutes from Peckham Rye overground station in South London.
We are a values-led company that believes a strong culture is the key to achieving fulfilment, producing great work and building lasting relationships. Ours is based upon the values of empathy, tenacity, questioning and spark, which are at the heart of everything we do.
Learn more at www.kennedywoods.co.uk or and via Instagram @kennedywoodsstudio.
About the role:
We are looking for a project architect to join our team in a job running role, to work across a variety of education projects at a range of RIBA stages.
The role is client facing and candidates will be expected to represent the studio, its values and ethos, and maintain a professional manner at all times.
You will be expected to oversee and support more junior team members, overseeing other projects alongside the main projects you run.
The ideal candidate would be a team player, able to effectively handover and review work to supporting designers; a methodical problem-solver with user-centred design interest; and a confident storyteller.
Education sector experience is not a requirement but would be advantageous.
Required skills and experience
Minimum criteria:
- minimum of ten years experience post Part 3 qualification
- high proficiency in AutoCAD, Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign
- basic competency in SketchUp
- highly-organised, detail focused, with good project management skills
- strong written, verbal and visual communication
- job-running experience across all RIBA work stages essential
- contract administration experience
- all applicants must have the necessary working permits
What we can offer:
- starting salary level in line with RIBA benchmarks
- 28 days leave, plus studio closure between Christmas and New Year
- benefits package including health insurance and partial profit share bonus
- good work-life balance with no work-late culture
- be part of shaping a growing studio
The role is full time, but we are open to considering candidates who prefer to work part-time (four days per week or five shorter days on a pro-rata salary).
How to apply
Please submit your CV, and portfolio of recent work via the ‘apply’ button below with the subject line “Project Architect Job Application”.
Instead of adapting a generic cover letter, please provide four 140-character responses to the following questions:
- who are you and what is your story
- what’s your favourite aspect of your current job and why
- what interests you most in the world (except design/architecture!)
- what changes would you make to architectural education and why