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Buckinghamshire. This project will be accommodating funeral services for the Hindu community, which is currently lacking at this scale. This new building will be a space that can accommodate both the ceremony and ritual that accompany the cremation of a Hindu individual, which is an important rite of passage in Hinduism. As I mentioned, I enjoy working on projects that bring value to the community, and I believe this certainly will, by providing comfort and reassurance at such an important and sensitive time.
Proposed rear extension at 8 Bowling Green Street, Leicester © Marchini Curran
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE SECTOR TO WORK IN AT THE MOMENT?
I find it enjoyable to work on any project that has a positive impact on the community. Community projects are by far my favourite, but I also really enjoy breathing new life into a derelict building. We are working at the moment on a Grade II listed building in Leicester that has been vacant since the pandemic, aiming to convert it into apartments. Protecting such a valuable heritage asset is a great way to create value for the users and for the city in general, as we will be ensuring the building’s future.
YOU ARE ALSO ACTIVE IN THE LOCAL ARCHITECTS’ SOCIETY, IS THIS ENJOYABLE & CAN YOU GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT YOU’VE ACHIEVED RECENTLY (SUCH AS ON DIVERSITY)?
Having qualified as an architect abroad, I had to go through a challenging and lengthy process to register with the Architects Registration Board (ARB) here in the UK. It was hard, and I failed the first time I took the examination. I realised that there was a gap between the requirements of the exams and how candidates can interpret these, depending on where they studied before moving to the UK. After I successfully registered with the ARB, I managed to spin this setback and channel my disappointment into
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK
something positive. This is how ‘Roadmap to Recognition’ started. Through my work as a committee officer at the Nottingham and Derby Society of Architects (NDSA), I aimed to provide support for prospective candidates willing to take the ARB Prescribed exams and register with the ARB. We interviewed people who had previously succeeded and shared extracts of their work. Candidates reported to us that they found this extremely helpful and didn’t feel alone anymore in their struggle. We organised an in-person workshop at the beginning of September, which gave people the opportunity to ask questions and meet peers and mentors, and it was a very beneficial experience. Another benefit of the ‘Roadmap to Recognition’ project is that it’s highly likely to positively affect diversity, as it mainly applies to architects who are not originally from the UK or Europe. By helping these individuals in pursuing formal recognition with the ARB, the sector will benefit from their different perspectives, cultures, and approaches to design, which I think is key to keeping the profession resilient in an increasingly globalised world.
NAME A GREAT PROJECT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON
I am working on a number of great projects, but the one I’d like to mention is the New Crematorium in Denham,
WHAT ONE THING WOULD MAKE YOUR JOB EASIER OR MORE SATISFYING? If everyone was on the same page about the climate emergency; I believe we’ve been at a crossroads for a few years now, and we have at this moment the unique opportunity to tip the scales towards a sustainable world and a healthy planet. Unfortunately, however, not everyone is on the same page, with tensions spanning budget and funding available, policy, and commercial interests. I think stricter regulations would certainly help, but true change can only happen if most of us are actively working towards it. As designers, we do need to be working collaboratively with clients and contractors, if we hope to meet any sustainability targets.
WHAT’S YOUR BIG PERSONAL SHORT- TERM GOAL?
I’d love to collaborate again with the RIBA to organise more support for architects who qualified abroad, beyond the UK and the EU, and looking to register with the ARB in the future. On a more personal level, I am slowly but surely cleaning up my diet to make it as healthy and sustainable as possible. I believe looking after ourselves and our planet go hand in hand.
DO YOU SEE ARCHITECTS HAVING A GREATER ROLE AS CONSULTANTS ON REUSE OF PROPERTIES FOR THEIR CLIENTS IN FUTURE? I’d like to end on a positive note, so I’d say ‘hopefully’. I certainly hope that the possibility of reusing the existing building stock is explored first before considering a new build, as the life cycle cost of demolition and new construction is significantly higher. However, having said that, I do think that with an ever-growing global population and an increased demand for housing and other services, our work is cut out for us.
ADF SEPTEMBER 2023
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