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Get Sust!
SPECIAL ISSUE - CAREERS
Practice Profile: Feilden Clegg Bradley
In the first of an occasional series of ‘practice profiles’ Get Sust meets the people on the inside of one of the UK’s foremost sustainable architecture practices - Feilden Clegg Bradley Architects.
Last year Feilden Clegg Bradley Architects LLP (FCBA for short) was ranked 36 in the Sunday Times’ list of 100 Best Small Companies to Work For, the highest-placed architectural practice on the list. The practice is renowned for its sustainable buildings, but what exactly makes this such a great place to work?
Hester Brough joined the practice in 2004 after she had completed her Part II at Sheffield University. Now she’s working towards her Part III.
‘I was attracted to Feilden Clegg because I admire their designs and their approach to sustainability,’ she says. ‘Someone from the practice came to talk to students at Sheffield, and I was very impressed, so when I saw that they were advertising a vacancy I sent off my CV and samples of my work.
‘I’ve been here for about 18 months now. I’m working on the design of a new headquarters office building for Runnymede Borough Council. I’ve been involved with the project since the outset; we’ve now reached Stages E and F. I’m getting fabulous experience - working with planners and consultants, as well as our own design team. I’m now responsible for some of the internal tender packages. I’m really looking forward to gaining valuable experience when construction gets underway in July.’
The Runnymede project is typical of much of FCBA’s work. The finished building will incorporate public areas and the Council chamber, as well as offices for up to 300 people. The 39-m wide, deep-plan structure has cut-back voids to the first floor to allow light to penetrate far into the building. Concrete ducts draw fresh air deep into the plan, enhancing the natural ventilation strategy.
The building design - and particularly the natural ventilation - draws on experience gained over numerous previous projects - from the ‘Energy Efficient Office of the Future’ (BRE’s Building 16, which dates back to the early 1990s) to the newly completed National Trust HQ at Swindon. And this is not surprising, when you learn that FCBA places great store by ‘knowledge sharing’.
‘Each office has a weekly CPD event, often including external speakers, and there are regular study group meetings’ says Chris Askew, Practice Manager and recruitment co-ordinator. ‘We also have an annual “away day”. Last year we went to Basel in Switzerland. Each of our seven studios presented their work to their colleagues - three groups used film to illustrate their work; and one team used dance! We combined the trip with our Office Christmas Party, and some of us took the opportunity to visit the offices of Herzog and de Meuron.’
Chris is quick to stress, however, that the venue was exceptional. FCBA is very conscious of transport-related environmental damage and actively encourages its staff to use public transport to attend meetings. It’s founder, Richard Feilden, who was killed in an accident last year, was a very keen cyclist; and the reception at the company’s London HQ has space for its staff to park their Brompton folding bicycles.
In fact, FCBA has been at the forefront of such ‘green’ thinking since the practice was launched some 25 years ago.
‘Our attitude to sustainability and social values predates our success as a practice,’ says Chris. ‘That’s one of the things that attracted me to join them - we have shared values, and we apply the principles as widely as possible. As well as trying to minimise our transport impact, we buy food locally; and we’re soon to start a re-vamp of our Bath office, the old Bath Brewery alongside the River Avon. We will delve into all aspects of sustainability, from lighting energy use to the embodied energy of the materials we choose.’
But back to the knowledge sharing...
‘I have found the seminars extremely helpful,’ says Hester. ‘The Part IIIs organise these; the seminars put our projects into context - for example, looking at planning or procurement issues. The meetings are usually led by a Partner and someone who’s currently taking Part III. It’s an excellent way to learn.’
Having stressed the practice’s sustainability credentials, Chris Askew says the design teams are very pragmatic about what can and can’t be achieved: ‘For example, the important thing about the National Trust project is that the Trust did not want an ‘experimental’ building - they wanted sustainability that was achievable and affordable, and that’s what we have been able to deliver.’
There are some jobs, however, that they would not wish to work on; and they take the same approach when recruiting new staff.
‘We look for clients - and staff - who can demonstrate a synergy with our way of thinking,’ says Chris. ‘With candidates for vacancies, we look at who they have worked for, and what they have done. We’re looking for a clear demonstration that people have an interest and aptitude for our way of working. That means sending a CV with examples of work. There is no need for a long introductory letter - the examples can speak volumes. But bear in mind that presentation IS crucial.’
Feilden Clegg Bradley has recently won a contract for a City Academy in Chelsea, and has numerous other projects in the pipeline, including other education work and master-planning projects. It is therefore looking for new staff and welcomes applications. To make a good impression with Chris, you’d be well advised to send a hand-written or neatly typed letter - this creates a much better first impression than an e-mail. And sending e-mails with large attachments is a definite no no.
Practice data-file
Feilden Clegg Bradley Architects LLP was formed in Bath in 1978 by Richard Feilden and Peter Clegg. Keith Bradley joined the practice in 1987 and was made a Senior Partner in 1997. |
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Awards: * Queen's Award for Sustainable Development |
Annual sales: £6.2m 26% if staff earn £35,000+. (Data from The Sunday Times survey www.bestcompanies.co.uk). |
Learn more:
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• | For further details about the practice, its projects and its recruitment process, please visit http://www.feildenclegg.com. |
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• | Chris Askew BA(Hons) DipArch RIBA, Partner, joined FCBA’s Bath office in 1999 as Practice Manager. He is a Trustee of the Architecture Centre in Bristol and past president of the Bristol Society of Architects. |
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• | Hester Brough BArch DipArch is an Architectural Assistant. She previously worked for the Amec Group in Warrington on healthcare projects. |
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• | Projects mentioned: Runnymede Borough Council and National Trust HQ, Swindon. |
| © Melanie Thompson 2006 |  |
Building a better world
Do you want to have a real influence on the future of sustainable construction in the UK construction? Then join an organisation that has been instrumental in developing the industry’s understanding of what environmental sustainability is and how it can be applied to the built environment...
At the Building Research Establishment (BRE) we are dedicated to a sustainable future, writes David Strong, Managing Director, BRE Environment. We have been instrumental in developing the industry’s understanding of what environmental sustainability is and how it can be applied to the built environment. As a result we are uniquely placed to provide the guidance and technical support that clients seek.
To foster a sustainable approach to development and to help those responsible for today’s buildings, our experts have developed methodologies, processes and tools including:
- The ‘sustainability checklist’, which sets out the steps that large developments and regeneration projects need to follow to meet sustainability targets.
- The award winning BREEAM and EcoHomes environmental assessment methods for buildings, which have become the mark of environmental sustainability, providing a framework from which to work.
- Envest and Environmental profiles, used to identify which building forms, components and materials will have the lowest environmental impact.
We are actively involved in working with design teams to reduce environmental impact whilst ensuring that the health, comfort and productivity of occupants is maximised.
BRE Environment employs over 250 built environment professionals, dedicated to reducing the impact of buildings at all stages in their life-cycle. We are continually looking for creative graduates with relevant skills to join our expanding teams to help promote sustainable design and development.
To help BRE grow its business, we aim to ensure that all employees are given the opportunity to maximise their potential. Mentors help with personal development, and our wide range of training opportunities helps you gain the necessary skills and knowledge to meet your objectives.
If you share our passion for improving building performance, safeguarding the environment and creating sustainable communities, we want to hear from you.
Learn more: |
• | For further information on BRE and current opportunities please visit www.bre.co.uk or send your CV Sarah Dolan: dolans@bre.co.uk. Please quote reference: Get Sust. |
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Spruce up your CV
We’ve noticed that graduates get disheartened by the apparent lack of opportunities in the sustainability sector. But there are opportunities - it’s just a case of knowing where to look, and how best to present yourself, writes Tom Leathes of Acre Resources.
Although graduate jobs are just as common as any others, they are rarely advertised. There are two reasons for this: there are always plenty of new graduates on the market; and advertising tends to be expensive. That’s why the only jobs you’ll see advertised are for those people who are hard to find – and that tends to be those with a few years’ experience.
It’s the same with recruitment agencies. Again, graduates are abundant, so companies are sometimes not willing to pay a fee to an agency for someone they could probably find with relative ease.
What’s the solution then?
The most effective way to ensure that you secure environmental or sustainability work as a fresh graduate is through direct applications to companies. You do have to be pro-active and will have to get your CV out in numerous directions. There’s lots of competition, so the people that follow up applications and ensure they are received are the ones that get through.
Browse the various company listings (www.ends.co.uk is a great place to start) and decide which are of interest to you. Find out who the best contact is at that company, and try to speak to them. Explain your background and what you’re looking to do, and follow up with a covering letter and CV.
You will find that a number of companies have graduate schemes, or specific areas on their websites devoted to graduates. This is also a useful place to start looking. The more companies and organisations you approach, the faster you’re likely to get that important first role. So be proactive and don’t get disheartened!
The CV is your primary marketing tool when trying to secure a new job. It’s often your first point of contact with a prospective employer, and it may be a cliche, but it’s absolutely true - first impressions really count.
A basic CV should include:
- Contact details
- A brief profile outlining your main attributes, skills and experience
- Career history and relevant experience in detail
- Education
- Specific skills and memberships
- Hobbies and interests
- References.
In general, a balance must be reached between being concise and including all necessary detail. A common misconception is that CVs should be limited to two pages. This is perhaps true for graduates or junior individuals, but is often too restrictive for an individual with several years’ experience. Whatever the length, all parts of the CV should be punchy and concise - short paragraphs are far more readable than large blocks of text.
Learn more: |
• | Acre Resources is a leading recruitment agency specialising in Environment, CSR and Sustainability. Working with large corporations, NGOs and consultancies, Acre has a range of vacancies throughout the UK and beyond. |
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• | For more information, or to apply for the latest jobs, visit www.acre-resources.co.uk. |
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• | If you need help or would like some further tips, contact Acre Resources. Tel: 020 8584 5299, or e-mail your CV to: mail@acre-resources.co.uk. Please quote reference: Get Sust. |
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Support for further study
The INREB Faraday Partnership was set up in 2001 to help deliver buildings and technologies that will contribute to the UK’s carbon reductions target. It does this in numerous ways, but most significantly, by offering a number of post-graduate studentships who work within four UK universities - De Montfort, Loughborough, Nottingham and Ulster.
The students - known as Faraday Associates - work on research projects concerned with both the technical and non-technical aspects of low carbon technologies and their integration into buildings. For example, recent projects range from “Energy data analysis in schools: identifying opportunities for new and renewable energy” to a study of ‘The social and psychological aspects of integrating solar photovoltaics into social housing’.
A key objective of INREB is to create business-literate researchers who have ‘industry-ready’ skills in teamworking, networking and communications, as well as a solid background in research techniques and an all-round business awareness. While the university partners provide the academic excellence you would expect, the Faraday Associates gain their business-related skills through participation in INREB conferences, activities and study trips, and by attending graduate schools such as the ‘UK Grad Programme’.
INREB aims to broaden the scope of Associates’ activity in 2006 by encouraging more university partners - especially those with strong links to research into the sustainable urban environment. Funding for up to four new Associates is anticipated in 2006.
Learn more:
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• | Visit www.inreb.org. |
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• | To express an interest in the studentships OR becoming a partner organisation, contact Paul Evans, INREB Partnership Director. E-mail: evansp@bre.co.uk. Please quote reference: Get Sust. |
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RIBA Good Practice Guide: Employment
by B Gegg and D Sharp
This is an extremely useful guide for new or small practices, especially those that don’t have a qualified Human Resources manager, writes Peter Dodds.
That’s not to say that those with an HR manager shouldn’t buy this guide because it’s a handy reference to have in any office. It is clearly set-out and each chapter topic follows the same format:
- issues and alarm bells – highlights key issues and pitfalls
- checklist – provides a handy to-do (or to-don’t) list to cover all issues
- where to look – lists key legislation and guidance
- case study – provides an example that demonstrates the facts and key issues.
The chapters are organised to follow the chronology of an employment relationship starting with interview and ending with retirement. Pretty-well every scenario in between is covered in the intermediate chapters. This all helps the text flow, so you could easily read it from cover to cover rather than just dipping in and out of it as you would with a weighty reference book.
Despite its modest size (less than 100 pages) it covers all the topics in this field clearly and succinctly. Anyone wanting to dig deeper on any of the topics need look no further than the extensive list of references provided for each chapter which cover publications, Acts, policies and web-links for further reference.
My only minor niggle with the guide (and it really is minor) is that the chapter topics are broken-down into sub-sections indicated by bold headings. These headings don’t necessarily just cover what they describe, so if you just skim through the guide you may miss the information you’re looking for.
This guide is an extremely worthwhile addition to those which should be read not just by employers but by employees too as the politics of the workplace become evermore complex.
Learn more:
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• | ‘RIBA Good Practice Guide: Employment’, by B Gegg and D Sharp, RIBA Publishing January 2006, 112pp (paperback); price: £15.00 Order copies from www.ribabookshops.com. |
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• | Peter Dodds, Associate at John Thompson & Partners in London, is currently taking an MSc in Advanced Energy and Environmental Studies at UEL/CAT. |
| © Melanie Thompson 2006 | |
The Dissertation (2nd Edition)
by Iain Borden
“A dissertation is (wordy) architecture made of words. It is a way of conceiving and producing architecture through sentences, paragraphs and considered argument”.
So says author Iain Borden. That’s all very well, but to most students a dissertation is a thing to dread - to put to the back of your mind until the deadline really is looming, and then try hard to forget about once it’s all over. This new edition of ‘The Dissertation’ aims to take away some of the pain of putting words on paper.
Billed as ‘a complete guide to what to do, how to do it, when to do it, and the major pitfalls involved’, The Dissertation is designed to help architecture students get better marks. This new edition includes new extracts from first class UK and US dissertations.
Learn more:
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• | ‘The Dissertation, 2nd edition; An Architecture Student’s Handbook,’ by Iain Borden, published by Architectural Press is available on-line at the discount price of £15.29. View a sample chapter by following this link: www.elsevier.com/architecturalpress. |
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Principal Sustainability Consultant
This is a fantastic senior job opportunity within one of the UK’s leading construction and management consultancies.
With a successful Sustainable Development division, our client is now looking for a Principal Sustainability Consultant to work within the London-based Environment team. The successful candidate will provide advice to a range of clients on the inclusion of sustainability initiatives into project and strategy delivery.
The ideal candidate will be an experienced Senior Consultant with construction and / or property sector knowledge, and a demonstrable track record of delivering projects to budget and on time.
Ideal candidates will have:
- Around seven years’ experience in management/environmental consulting
- Experience in BREEAM / EcoHomes assessments
- Business development and client-facing experience
- Chartered or Full Member status of a professional institution
- At least three years focusing on sustainable development at a senior level.
A very strong salary and benefits package is on offer to the right candidate, along with the opportunity to lead a winning team to further success in the sustainability field.
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• | For more information or to apply, please contact Isabella Panettoni at Acre Resources. Tel: 020 8584 1150. E-mail: bella@acre-resources.co.uk. Please quote: Get Sust. |
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Assistant Design Engineer
SolarCentury’s engineering design team is expanding, and is looking for an Assistant Design Engineer.
The company has supplied PV and other solar energy solutions to projects ranging from new build homes to the Eden Project.
Reporting to the Head of Engineering, the successful candidate will assist in the delivery building integrated PV, solar hot water and wind power solutions. Candidates should have project delivery experience in a technical role (Mechanical/Electrical/Building Services or similar), a good working knowledge of CAD software (2D AutoCAD), and a strong grasp of engineering principles, and problem-solving skills.
Salary: Salary £18,000-£22,000 plus benefits (including pension, gym and health cover).
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• | Please send in your CV and covering letter by e-mail to: recruitment@solarcentury.co.uk. Closing date: 24 February 2006. Please quote: Get Sust. |
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• | Further details are at www.solarcentury.co.uk. |
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Graduate or post-grad landscape architect
Mott MacDonald is looking for someone to provide advice to its environmental team leader, who is co-ordinating major infrastructure projects. The successful candidate will assist in the publication of designs for landscape and urban design schemes. Candidates must have good report-writing skills, and be proficient in ACAD and Adobe Photoshop
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• | Please send a CV and covering letter, including A4 examples of previous work to: Gareth Evans, Mott MacDonald, Stoneham Place, Stoneham Lane, Southampton SO50 9NW. E-mail: gareth.j.evans@mottmac.com . Please quote reference: Get Sust. |
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