Completing the Circle: Work Experience with HPA

Following completion of a project to refurbish the Sixth Form in Barrow, HPA Architects attended the Art Foundation Architecture Exhibition, where we met student Shannon Sear and extended an invitation to Shannon to attend work experience with HPA prior to committing to study at Nottingham Trent University in September.

We asked Shannon for her thoughts on expectations versus reality of life in practice:

She said: “During my time at HPA Architects, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in some site visits, which have given me a deeper understanding of how architectural designs are implemented in real-world settings. During the site visits, I learned about how lime mortar is used to repair heritage buildings and how surveys are conducted.

"I enjoyed learning about how to use Revit for building information modelling, AutoCAD for drafting, and how a collaboration of both programs can produce detailed designs. I also experienced using Twinmotion for rendering and visualisation, and I was amazed by the realistic details of the renders created. These tools were incredibly useful and gave me a strong foundation for future university studies in architecture.

"As well as practical and technical applications, I spent some time with the admin team and learned about how fees are calculated, how reports are produced, and the importance of compliance and regulations.

"The experience also helped me appreciate the importance of collaboration and communication in architectural projects. I was able to observe how architects work with engineers, clients, and contractors to bring designs to life.

"I really enjoyed my time with HPA Architects – this work experience was invaluable and has inspired me to pursue a career in architecture with greater confidence and enthusiasm.”

HPA Architects is proud to be a learning organisation committed to continuous improvement; developing the knowledge and skills of not only our team but also aspiring architects of the future, to drive new ideas and innovations. We wish Shannon all the best for her further studies.