Podcast write-up
Table of Contents
Introduction 0:00
Welcome to the Pod! An introduction to the guys who invented it (us), why we started ArchAdemia, a Q&A section and a top three segment at the end.
ArchAdemia is a platform to bridge the gap between university and architectural practice. It is aimed at architecture students and architects of all abilities looking to upskill. The platform is a one stop shop for architecture tutorials, architectural downloads, valuable content and advice from practicing architects. The platform will give students access to practicing architects and enable them to converse and bounce ideas off like minded individuals.
The three of us have been friends for many years and we own an architecture practice based in the Royal Albert Dock in Liverpool called Studio RBA
ArchAdemia was born as a training platform for architects and students who worked for us at Studio RBA and has organically grown from there.
The platform in its earliest days helped Kenny learn SketchUp via our Sketchup Tutorials produced in house, long before ArchAdemia as we know it today. ArchAdemia has been born out of our own experiences as practicing architects and software inefficiencies encountered along the way.
The platform and podcast will offer advice on all the other skills beyond software that are needed to be an architect and touches upon the key difference between life as an architectural student and life in practice.
A brief background 4:30
Jack initially worked for a global architecture practice called Nightingale Associates now Arcadis and Adam worked for another international practice called BDP.
They then went on to work for smaller local architecture practices in Liverpool and Studio RBA organically grew from there. Jack and Adam qualified in 2013 passing their Part 3 exams via RIBA North West in 2013.
When we arrived at John Moores University School of Architecture in 2005 we got a massive shock with regard to the step up in level from college to architecture school. The first week in university was really intense and while most were out partying, we had a mountain of work to complete. That trend continued for the duration of our student lives! An architecture degree is one of the top 3 most difficult courses you can do in relation to the workload and long hours, it’s something you’ve got to be prepared for.
While working at BDP Adam worked on Liverpool One. A signature development in the UK. While it was a great experience working for a big practice it restricted him at part 2 level as he was largely sheltered given simple tasks, which is why he made the decision to work for a smaller practice post part two. That decision widened his knowledge and skillset as he was more exposed to all stages of a project.
Moving on to Studio RBA, we started to win a lot of work early on because of our ability to produce CGIs and the business was born out of our CGI capabilities, something we excelled at in university. Kenny talks of how important your friends can be when studying architecture, as we all helped each other to learn software’s and improve our skills, this is a narrative of practice life.
Adam talks about his time working on Liverpool One and how the scale of that architectural project is evident in his mentality to date. BDP were the masterplan architect with a series of international architects like Cesar Pelli taking on the buildings. Adam also worked on Aintree racecourse, producing 1 to 20 detailed sections through the façade as part of his role.
What is ArchAdemia 17:26
We started the platform as we recognised a skills gap between university and practice and first and foremost its aim is to bridge that gap. At its core are the architecture tutorials and the platforms continues to grow from there. ArchAdemia brings everything in one place.
You can book time in with Adam for advice and the aim is to make this offering available to other consultants in the future. Some of the services we are thinking of include: structural engineering, landscape architecture, highways consultation, CDM advice etc.
ArchAdemia is now a real passion project with additional ideas forming all the time. The aim is not to displace the great architectural tutorials on YouTube but to bring the good ones all in once easily accessible place and create a huge community of architects who can support each other. We want to raise the bar with regard to the quality of architectural teachings available online.
Why a podcast 23:52
The objectives of the podcast are to give a real insight into the platform and explain what it offers in greater detail.
At degree level Jack and Adam both learnt AutoCAD and then Adam went on to work for BDP who used MicroStation. This gave Adam a huge learning curve and meant his employers would have to spend time training him in the software before he was fully up to speed. ArchAdemia is a solution to that problem for both employees and employers.
We are available to our members if you have any concerns or anxiety relating to a career in architecture, just drop us a message.
Q&A 27:51
To end each podcast, we undertake a Q&A session in which we outline and answer key questions that have been born out of their experiences over the years. Please get in touch with any questions you would like to see featured on the podcast!
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