07 Aug 2025
Currently supporting a range of live projects, Alice is gaining a deeper understanding of how architecture impacts daily life and contributes to shared spaces. As part of her Part 1 year, she’s been involved in the final delivery of community-oriented projects and has developed a growing interest in the public sector.
Q&A with Alice: Embracing Curiosity and Craft in Early Design Experience We caught up with Alice to hear how early exposure to varied work stages is shaping her thinking and what community means to her as a future architect.
You’ve been involved in a range of projects, what have these different experiences shown you about the way architecture interacts with public life?
Having mainly worked on the final stages of projects, I have not yet had the opportunity to see this during the conceptual stages. However, from RIBA Stages 4 to 5, I have seen how the public is considered when ensuring safety and accessibility within the building. Referring back to building regulations, I’ve gained a much clearer understanding of the architect’s responsibility to design in a way that safeguards the public’s health and safety once the building is in use.
With a new Library project nearly complete – how did it feel to work on a project so directly tied to local learning and culture?
I think that’s one of the key reasons I’m leaning towards more public and civic projects. I’m drawn to the conceptual challenge of designing spaces that support learning and cultural activity - buildings that people rely on in everyday life. There’s something especially rewarding about contributing to a project that’s open to all and plays an active role in public life.
How important do you think flexibility and collaboration are in delivering buildings that genuinely serve communities?
My time at CPMG has really shown me how essential flexibility and teamwork are in delivering successful outcomes. Everyone brings different skills and interests, so collaborating effectively makes the most of that diversity and ultimately benefits the end user.
During busy periods, especially at deadline crunch points like with the Hexham Road project, I’ve felt how much of a difference shared effort makes. Even in a smaller team, the support and willingness to step in has been really encouraging for me at this early stage.
You mentioned you’re still open to discovering new sectors but feel drawn to public projects. What is it about public or civic architecture that interests you most?
These projects often serve a broader purpose, responding to local needs or addressing wider societal issues. I’m particularly interested in how design can influence long-term outcomes - like encouraging inclusivity, sustainability, or resilience. The opportunity to work on something that’s both practical and meaningful is what draws me to this sector.
From your experience so far, how do you think buildings like libraries or community hubs help shape a sense of belonging in a place?
As infrastructures for learning and cultural engagement, these spaces contribute to shaping the public’s identities. They bring people together and serve as settings for social interaction and collective activity, inevitably fostering a sense of community and belonging. I believe that creating a well-designed, functional, and inviting public space plays a crucial role in this. Its attractiveness and success can enhance the public’s sense of wellbeing, further reinforcing that feeling of belonging.
As a Part 1 student, how has your time at CPMG helped you understand the social responsibilities architects hold?
Even at the more technical end of a project, I’ve come to appreciate how design decisions impact usability and inclusivity. Things like clear access routes, compliant layouts and well-considered detailing might seem small, but they ensure that spaces are genuinely open and safe for everyone. That awareness is a key part of an architect’s social responsibility.
Is there a moment or part of a project where you felt particularly proud to be contributing to a space that will be used by others every day?
I’m proud to have contributed to the Library project for many of the reasons mentioned above - the wider impact that this type of building has on the public, reaching both older and younger generations, and what it represents within the built environment as a hub for learning and culture. Playing a role in delivering construction details and seeing it all come to life has been both exciting and rewarding, especially as someone at the beginning of their career.
Additionally, as a student myself with friends studying in the same city, it’s a nice thought that they might one day use the library I helped to bring to life.
Why do you think it's valuable for emerging architects to engage with public and community-driven projects early on?
I believe these types of projects offer some of the most meaningful expressions of architecture’s civic responsibility, directly responding to the challenges our society faces today. Working on such a diverse range of projects early in my career has given me a broad perspective on the profession and exposed me to the many complexities involved in delivering a project. This experience has been incredibly valuable in shaping my learning and development as I begin my architectural journey.