Architecture

What do architects do in the public sector?

Architects in the public sector influence the quality of design and sustainability for places at a neighbourhood or building scale. Architects bring their design skills and knowledge, spatial and analytical skills, and stakeholder and project management experience in-house.

Architects may advise on the development design and construction, including critiquing projects proposed by developers and landowners. Architects might be tasked with creating sketches, models and plans; managing projects; developing design codes; preparing masterplans; writing reports; engaging with stakeholders; and undertaking site visits.

Architectural designers in the public sector need to be creative and able to put forward persuasive ideas and proposals; enjoy critical analysis and problem-solving; be able to communicate clearly with a diverse range of people through written, verbal and visual (including drawings and diagrams) communication methods; and be comfortable working with financial information such as costs and budgets.

What job roles might an architect be suitable for in the public sector?

Architects could work in a wide range of roles, including urban design - inputting on design quality at pre-apps or creating design codes; sustainability roles - working on retrofitting buildings or working on energy policy; economic development - working on regenerating high streets or cultural programming; property development - working on development capacity appraisals or delivering housing in partnership with the private sector.

Progression would involve moving to a managerial or senior leadership position, with more responsibility for overseeing projects and budgets, day-to-day supervision of the work of team members, and more interaction with senior politicians and officials.

To work in the public sector, it is not a requirement to be a qualified Architect (part 3 status and on the ARB register). However, most public sector organisations do ask for a degree or equivalent experience in this field, which could be anything from a bachelor's degree (part 1 status) and above.

Architects Registration Board

Royal Institute of British Architects