Programme launched to give Nottingham architecture students critical industry skills
Leonard Design Architects and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in the East Midlands have teamed up with Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham as part of a nationwide RIBA mentoring scheme to develop the next generation of architects.
A group of third year architectural students from both universities will spend time this week with a number of professionals at Leonard Design as part of the scheme, which provides an introduction to the working environment for the students.
The week kicked off by the students being given a tour around a historic building on Carrington Street to provide an understanding of some of the key projects Leonard Design is currently working on.
The premises are currently derelict but plans have recently been submitted to Nottingham City Council by Leonard Design to transform it into several vibrant retail units and a commercial office space.
The area is the gateway into Nottingham and connects Nottingham railway station with the new Broadmarsh car park and bus station – another site which Leonard Design is also working on in partnership with the City Council.
The architectural practice is headquartered in Nottingham and has three further offices in London, Kuala Lumpur and Sydney, Australia, and works on projects all over the world.
John Morgan, director at Leonard Design Architects, said: “This is a really positive initiative. By working closely with Nottingham Trent University, the University of Nottingham and the RIBA we’re able to provide these undergraduates with a fully-rounded view of the work an architect undertakes with a project onsite.
“I became an architect because of my passion for developing towns and cities across the world – it really is a lifestyle. Our aim is to not only inspire these students but to give them an insight into the types of opportunities available to them if they were to stay and work in Nottingham at the end of their studies.”
Mike Baulcombe, regional director at RIBA East Midlands, said: “The RIBA student mentoring scheme is a nationwide initiative to give architecture students an insight into the working world. It allows them to begin to understand day-to-day industry challenges and start building critical business skills. This year, working with our members and Schools of Architecture across the East Midlands, we are mentoring over 100 students with 50 architects. Nationally the RIBA scheme mentors over 1,000 students each year.
“Working with architectural practices such as Leonard Design, this is a fantastic experience for the students to see a range of projects first-hand and work with some talented individuals.”
Gavin Richards, acting head of architecture and Lois Woods, course leader in architecture at Nottingham Trent University, said: “It’s great that the schools of architecture at both Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham are collaborating. Working with RIBA and Leonard Design, the students are exposed to opportunities that they otherwise wouldn’t have available to them. The RIBA mentoring scheme helps students to work out their strengths, weaknesses and start to narrow down where they see themselves in three to five years’ time.”
David Short, associate professor, BArch course director from the University of Nottingham, added: “This is a unique opportunity for the students and one that they’ve grasped with both hands. Spending the week visiting various sites and seeing how projects are managed from start-to-finish helps pull together much of their learning and bring it all to life. There is nothing like true industry experience and many of our students are very active in going out and finding work experience.”
