12 VIEWS
ASK THE ARCHITECT
Regular ADF contributor, and partner at Hawkins\Brown, Nigel Ostime answers our questions on the role of the architect, and what designers need to learn from other sectors when it comes to efficiency
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BECOME AN ARCHITECT? As a teenager trying to decide what to do with my life, like most people who want to become an architect I knew very little about what the job actually entails, but – presumably also like most people – had a vision of designing and realising beautiful, well-crafted buildings. I enjoyed drawing and I suppose at that time I thought it would be a rewarding and stable job. Well I was right about one of those!
In my first year a tutor told us (too late as we had already committed!) that architecture was no way to earn money. I think it went over our heads anyway to be honest. What he didn’t say was that it is also part of an industry that suffers from the turmoil of a fluctuating economy. I have worked through two major recessions, both of which have had an impact on me. But no regrets.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT IT MOST CURRENTLY?
Nigel Ostime of Hawkins\Brown
My role at Hawkins\Brown allows me to pursue two particular interests. The first is enthusiasm for driving efficiency in the project process and making more time for the iterative design process where as architects we add the most value. The second is in design for manufacture and assembly (DfMA) and digital
technology, both of which I promote through my work and through the organisations I am a member of. I am currently leading the development of a second edition of the RIBA’s DfMA Overlay to the Plan of Work, which is due for publication in the autumn. And I am starting a group within the Offsite Alliance which aims to bring together architects and manufacturers of offsite products to better understand each other and find ways to promote modern methods of construction. If our industry doesn’t get to grips with these things, we are destined for hard times; I firmly believe this is mission critical.
WHAT IS THE HARDEST PART OF YOUR JOB?
I think architects always struggle with too much to do, in not enough time, and I am no exception to that. It stems from our innate enthusiasm and always wanting to push the boundaries.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ARCHITECTS STARTING OUT? I am an advocate of the benefits of networking and of keeping on top of current affairs: who is doing what, and the big topics of the day. I can point to a number of rewarding outcomes from doing this, all totally unforeseen and unplanned but which would not have happened
EAST VILLAGE, STRATFORD
The Build to Rent project designed by Hawkins\Brown is being built by Mace (for clients Qatari Diar/Delancey and Get Living London) using the contractor’s High Rise Solutions system, which combines digital technology with a new offsite manufacturing approach
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK
ADF JULY 2021
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