One year on from completing his ‘Part 3’ to become a certified Architect, our own Chris Trigg reflects back on his case study project, the challenges of qualification and what comes next…
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Coming up on a year since qualifying as an Architect, and I’m still getting used to seeing the letters after my name! From day one it’s been equal parts challenge and reward, and I’m very grateful for the opportunities, projects and people who have shaped the journey so far.
In spring 2024 I launched myself into the Part 3 course at the University of the West of England, ready to get back into structured learning and keen to round off the final stage of qualification. I’ve always enjoyed developing new skills, but I don’t think anything could have prepared me for quite how much contract law would be involved. The depth and intensity of the legal content was a surprise, but ultimately a welcome one; it gave me a far clearer understanding of the professional responsibilities that underpin everyday practice.
– A view of the original school building –
Having run small freelance commissions since 2017, I felt confident approaching the modules on starting and growing an architectural practice. With this, the course offered insights that went far beyond my own experience. Hearing from visiting and resident lecturers who shared candid stories about their challenges, successes and the realities of managing a practice added a layer of honesty and practicality that I valued hugely. Their perspectives helped me contextualise my own experience and broadened my awareness of what it really means to lead, deliver and maintain a resilient architectural service.
My Case Study project was a full refurbishment of a ‘post-war’ maths block at Teign School in Kingsteignton. Constrained by a limited budget, substantial water damage and a very unusual steel superstructure, the project contained several challenges that I unpicked with the supervision of an Associate Architect. We rapidly developed a concept to get the school to planning whilst looking out for opportunities to make the most of the existing fabric, allowing the school to focus funding on high quality teaching spaces and a well resolved thermal envelope.
Thankfully the planning process was quite painless and from this we were able to keep momentum with the school to produce a resolved technical pack to bring the project to site in Summer of the same year. As construction went on the tangled irregular steel structure became a much greater constraint than anticipated as it was deemed that all steelwork including roof steels would need to be encased to ensure that the rigidity of the whole building was protected in the event of a fire. During Stage 5 I learnt an immense amount from the team at Hills ltd, who oversaw the building contract on the scheme. The highly professional team shared their experiences to show how to administrate a complex site project in best practice. The site team from Arque were very proactive when issues arose on site, together from this there was a strong sense of collective problem solving which helped drive the project forwards.
– Interior corridors and classrooms had a deep level of refurbishment throughout the block –
– The subtle exterior upgrades underplay the extent of internal refurbishment and improvement of the building fabric –
As I continue into the next year of my career I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into complex stage 4 packages, building on experience gained from several live construction projects running this year. Looking back on where I was after qualifying in December 2024, my level of confidence feels completely transformed. I’m approaching challenges with a clearer voice, a stronger sense of purpose, and a genuine excitement for the work ahead. Most of all, I’m enjoying working in architecture more than ever — and I’m grateful for the growth, support, and opportunities that have shaped this chapter. Here’s to continuing the journey with curiosity, courage, and creativity.
– Chris Trigg, Architect –