I started as an Architectural Assistant Apprentice at Levitt Bernstein, in September 2021. In recognition of this year’s National Apprenticeship Week theme – “Skills for Life” – in this post, I will share some of the things I have learned. I'll also answer some of the questions I am commonly asked, as an apprentice.

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Presentation skills:

An important skill I’ve learnt from both university and practice is how to effectively present work in front of an audience. Architecture schools are famous for their “crits” where students would present their work to fellow students and tutors for feedback. I find crits useful as they provide a different point of view regarding my project and alternative ways to approach problems.

Visual communication skills:

Commonly, ideas in architecture are represented visually. This can be done through sketches, illustrations or diagrams. I’ve learnt that the way you choose to present your ideas can largely depend on who you are presenting to. Above is an illustration I made for the office’s London Festival of Architecture event. The key was to depict Thane Works as a bright and lively space for the event.

Model making:

Sometimes, a model can be useful in conveying ideas. Models can be made from a variety of materials and techniques such as card, wood or 3D printed (and many more!). I find physical models can aid in conveying form, which can be tricky to discern from drawings alone.

Site experience:

Site visits can be overwhelming to start with; there’s a lot to take in, when seeing a building that’s under construction. For me, site visits have been useful in understanding why things are drawn a certain way and the process in which a building is constructed.

Sustainability in architecture:

Working with the sustainability team at Levitt Bernstein, I have also been introduced to ways which architecture can address issues we face regarding the climate emergency. Additionally, the practice has hosted Architects Declare events, in support of addressing the climate and biodiversity emergency.

How to play softball:

Wednesday evenings at Regents Park, during the summer!

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Below are questions which I commonly get asked, as an architectural assistant apprentice:

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Why did you choose to become an apprentice?

I chose to become an apprentice because I wanted to gain early experience working in practice, during my formative years in architecture. I also felt that the workflows implemented in practice would serve me well in university, making my time at university more productive.

Additionally, I liked the idea of having a creative outlet, in the form of university, whilst also being able to work on live projects in the office. Working on live projects have introduced me to ideas and concepts I may not have considered if I was purely studying at university.

Where are you studying? How does it work?

I am studying one day a week at London Southbank university, with the remaining four days spent working at the office. At the end of my four-year course I will be Part 1 qualified.

Who pays for your university?

My tuition fees are paid by the Government through the Apprenticeship Levy, with a top up by the Practice. I am also paid a salary paid by the Practice.

What do you need in to get onto the course?

For my course I needed to achieve at least a BBC and like other architecture courses a portfolio too. There are lots of resources online for undergrad portfolio guidance, that I’d recommend having a look at. In addition to those two things, I also needed to provide confirmation of employment offer at a practice.

How long does it take?

The course is four years long. While that is a year longer than typical architecture degrees (three years), most students from “normal” architecture degrees would spend a year out in practice, after university, to become a fully qualified architect. It all balances out in the end!

What do you like most about being an apprentice?

Since starting, I have also grown to really appreciate the breadth of knowledge available in the office. If there is something I am unsure about, there will be someone who can help steer me to the right direction.

It’s been a lovely year and a half at Levitt Bernstein and I hope to keep picking up new skills and developing what I know, on my journey to becoming an architect!