Today you will find out more about Heather, our Part II Architectural Assistant.
Heather studied at the University of Edinburgh from 2016-2022, gaining both Part I and II qualifications (Master of Arts and Master of Architecture, respectively).
Completed her placement period at Oliver and Robb Architects in Dunfermline in 2019, where she gained experience in private, affordable, and sheltered housing developments, hotels, care homes, one-off new builds, as well as extensions and renovations to existing homes.
At University, Heather found herself gravitating toward studios that allowed her to design bespoke housing tailored to the client, with a focus on accessibility, adaptability, and sustainability.
Heather is now looking forward to building on her existing knowledge and skill set as a Part II Architectural Assistant here at ACA.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER IN ARCHITECTURE?
I have always been both creative and logical with my favourite subjects in school including a mixture of Graphic Communication, Engineering Science, Maths and Art. Throughout this time, I experimented with nail art and cake decorating, both of which allowed me to explore these two sides.
Architecture has always seemed to present this balance too, and so was something I considered as a career from a very young age.
2016 – 2020: Master of Arts in Architecture with Honours at The University of Edinburgh (Architecture Part I)
2019: Placement Period at Oliver and Robb Architects
2020 – 2022: Master of Architecture at The University of Edinburgh (Architecture Part II)
WHY DID YOU WANT TO WORK AT ACA?
Throughout my studies, I have had some control over the types of projects I design and always seemed to find myself gravitating towards one-off bespoke housing tailored to the client. More specifically, homes with a focus on accessibility/adaptability and sustainability in order to future-proof the spaces I design. I find the projects at ACA perfectly align with this, providing forever homes due to the open communication they have with their clients.
WHAT, IN YOUR OPINION, ARE ACA’S STRENGTHS AS AN ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE?
From a learning perspective, working towards fully qualifying as an architect, ACA is providing me with a variety of experience across multiple stages on the types of projects I hope to one day lead myself.
From a client’s perspective, ACA are experts in self builds that help through every stage of building a forever home, as well as ensuring it lasts many years beyond completion.
Not only are their designs beautiful and functional, their communication methods are years ahead of most practices, for example, giving their clients the opportunity to walk around their homes with the aid of virtual reality before ground is even broken on site.
DO YOU LIKE DESIGNING ONE-OFF RESIDENTIAL HOMES? WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT SELF-BUILD?
I have always enjoyed working on projects that allow me to design residential spaces tailored to a specific client. I even entered an architectural competition last summer that was focused on extending an existing low-energy home using new innovative building materials and techniques coupled with exciting new technologies specified within the home. The self-build element is exciting as it allows the client to fully tailor their home to the way they want to live.
Understanding this for each individual is something I find very important, and I love the challenge of meeting each unique brief. Finally, I find self-build clients also have more interest in including sustainable elements in their homes, which is something that I think can only become more important in the future.
IF YOU WEREN'T WORKING IN ARCHITECTURE, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?
Definitely something that would allow me to be both creative and detail-oriented, much like architecture does. Maybe a cake decorator or a nail tech, as these are things I have always enjoyed.
DO YOU PURSUE YOUR ARCHITECTURAL INTERESTS WHEN YOU ARE NOT AT WORK IN ANY WAY?
Other than the obvious answer of watching Grand Designs and Your Home Made Perfect, I enjoy travelling and going on architectural and cultural tours to learn about new people and places. I find it very interesting to learn how different people and cultures live and how their homes physically reflect this in style and layout.
TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT WHAT YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE NOT AT WORK. WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR FREE TIME?
In my spare time, I enjoy staying healthy by going to the gym and walking with my family and their dogs. This is often followed by less healthy socialising, including making all the birthday cakes in my family, usually novelty ones based on the birthday boy or girl. I also enjoy nail art, now mainly on my own nails, while watching a good movie.
If you have any questions for Heather feel free to contact her on heather@acarchitects.biz.