1. Why Architecture?

From a young age, I spent hours drawings or painting. My sketchbooks were filled with drawings of buildings, city scenes, and interiors. I knew early on that I would eventually end up in a career relating to art and design. Alongside art, I had an interest in maths and physics, which inevitably paved my path towards a career in Architecture.

2. What drives your passion for Architecture?

Architecture is not just a building, it is about the spaces that are created around it. In particular, I enjoy problem solving and the urban planning side of architecture.

My interest are in buildings that create high quality public realms and strong relationships with its context. At the opposite spectrum, I also like detailing and ornamentation; all of which gives a building its own character and charm.

3. How did your architecture education and career journey to date, bring you to working in Manchester?

To begin my career in Architecture, I had to identify an appropriate school of Architecture. Manchester School of Architecture due to its reputation and the location in the city made it a clear choice for me. The undergrad course helped me build a toolkit of skills that would become the foundation of my architectural learning.

Following this, I began my 12-month placement at Saunders Architecture and Urban Design in the summer of 2017. My work predominantly persisted of social housing and master planning. Towards the end of my placement, I became more confident in my abilities to design. I also gained a vast amount of experience in the construction stages, which made me more of a well-rounded designer. At the end of my placement I was asked to stay on and work part time while doing my masters.

For my masters, I decided to go back to the Manchester school of architecture where I got to shift my learning to residential, adaptive reuse and master planning. After graduation, I joined Tim Groom Architects (TGA) which is a practice with projects that are aligned with my interests. I did my part III at TGA and currently work as an architect here. TGA have a strong presence in Manchester with majority of the workload within the city centre. I am fortunate to work with amazing people, on exciting projects and get myself involved with the development of Manchester.

4. What do you enjoy the most about being an Architect in Manchester?

The best part of being in Manchester is that I get to immerse myself into a vibrant and culturally diverse city, where each corner has its own unique character, heritage and charm. It is a city that is ever evolving, with cranes cementing itself as part of the skyline. There is no other city like it with the ambition and drive for high quality development, making it a really exciting place to be an architect.

5. What was it that made you decide to be involved on the Manchester Society of Architects committee.

I joined the MSA with the hopes of getting more involved with the industry and meeting passionate, intelligent, and creative like-minded people. After attending a few monthly meetings, I began to find my footing within the society and started to help organise events. Shortly after, I was elected as Secretary in 2020.

As part of the Manchester Society of Architects, I get the opportunity to organise and get involved with events which are outside my day to day role as an architect. It is an opportunity to meet, socialise and learn. And to contribute to the society’s ethos:

‘to champion and nurture the current and future architects of Manchester’.

6. What is your favourite Manchester Building?

I am interested in urban design and I believe that Manchester has very strong walking links, public spaces and active streets. In particular, I really like the central library walk. It is a very sensitive and subtle intervention which accentuates the character of the neighbouring listed buildings.

7. What advice would you give a young person wanting a career in architecture?

Architecture is a very rewarding and challenging career. The skills you will acquire are extremely versatile, that can be applied to any field. Architecture is so vast that I would tell young architects to follow their passions and interested within subject. And most of all, talk to people, make friends and enjoy the journey!

8. What do you do in your spare time?

Painting and drawing fills up most of my spare time. My artwork can be found on my Instagram: @shadath_Chowdhury.

Aside from painting and drawing, I believe that staying active or going outdoors is important and love a challenging hike. In terms of sports, I mostly play racket sports as my steady hands translate well to sports like tennis, table tennis and badminton.

9. In your opinion – energy and sustainability aside, what is likely to be the biggest game changer in our built environment in the next 50 years?

The two biggest changes are:

1 – Growing city and aging population

Cities and town are growing at a rapid rate and people are on average have a higher life expectancy. This results in a rapid growth to cities and towns. We will need to find ways to accommodate the increased density, find solutions for generational city living and tackle homelessness within cities and towns.

2 – The way we live and work post pandemic

I believe that the way we work and live has completely changed since the pandemic. As more people are starting to work from home, we may see a shift in the desire to live in the city centre and the way that office spaces are used. The increased flexibility and priority on work life balance may result in a more adaptive city.

10. What is one thing you believe we should be talking about in architecture that isn’t discussed?

Diversity, wellbeing and education. All of which are topics that the MSA can bring to the table for discussions.

Q+A

1. Why Architecture?

From a young age I had an obsession of monitoring the local property pages! – buildings have always been for as long as I can remember a great interest. This, combined with my methodical and creative educational style, Architecture seemed to be the perfect career which blended these skillsets.

2. What drives your passion for Architecture?

Architecture, design & space have a daily impact on everyone’s lives daily in some way. I am particularly passionate about how Architects have the opportunity to indirectly change how people live and work in a positive way. From how we navigate the city, to how we feel in our homes or workplaces, architecture and design play a pivotal role in shaping the way we live.

3. How did your architecture education and career journey to date, bring you to working in Manchester?

I grew up in a small town in the South Lakes, opportunities for Architecture were near impossible, therefore on completion of my A-levels I left my small hometown for city life! I set my sights on the undergraduate Architecture course at Nottingham Trent University.

Following graduation from my Part1 course, in an effort to save some money I relocated back to Cumbria where I accepted the Part 1 Placement job offer from Harrison Pitt Architects in Lancaster. My year at Harrison Pitt Architects provided clarity architecture was for me and began to feel excited about what was to come in the years ahead. My part one placement equipped me with the experience and skill set required to continue with the next step of my architectural career – I enrolled on the Masters course at Manchester School of Architecture.

Having grown up isolated at the end of the Furness Peninsular, Manchester was the closet ‘big city’, I had frequently visited from a young age. The city felt familiar and in 2015 there appealed to be a really prosperous feeling about the place. I enjoyed the Masters course at MSA more than I anticipated. After graduation, Manchester’s skyline was thriving with construction activity. I had loved studying in Manchester and was eager to secure work in the city.

I secured a job at Buttress Architects in the summer of 2017 and worked at the leading design practice for five years. I sat my Part 3 exam at Buttress and was fortunate to work with really great people on some really great projects during my time there.

I am now a Senior Architect at Ellis Williams Architects, I am very excited to work with the amazing team at EWA, working within the Manchester office over this next stage of my architectural career.

4. What do you enjoy the most about being an Architect in Manchester?

Manchester is a city which pays homage to its rich industrial past whilst reflecting vibrant innovative architecture across the city. It is a city with ambition & confidence – this in line with the scale of the city makes it a really exciting place to be able to make a difference.

5. What was it that made you decide to run for Manchester Society of Architects President?

I became involved in the MSA around 5 years ago. Following studying, qualifying, and working in the city I was keen to give something back by contributing to the future of the city.

For me, becoming the president of the MSA enables the opportunity to work with passionate, intelligent, and creative individuals from varying roles to fulfill our society’s ethos:

‘to champion and to nuture the current and future architects of Manchester’

To be able to chair a society where we can make a potential impact to the city and its inhabitants is a daunting yet exciting and would encourage everyone to engage and become involved. I’m honored to be following in some renowned footsteps.

6. What is your favourite Manchester Building?

I have two for different reasons –

Whitworth Art Gallery – The late Victorian building has been beautifully restored with a new elegant extension. I love the projection and connection to Whitworth Park, the reflections of the park back onto the glazing. The building is bold yet sensitive, subtle yet clever.

The Express Building – When I first began working in the city my morning walking commute would take me past this striking building. I was taken aback by the chrome curves and tinted glass. A real classy building standing proud on Great Ancoats Street.

7. What advice would you give a young person wanting a career in architecture?

Architecture requires hard work, be prepared for this but is a very rewarding career… Ask the silly questions, explore various practices, embrace criticism, and keep sketching!

8. What do you do in your spare time?

As much as I love my job, time away from my desk is important. I am a keen runner, last year completing Manchester half marathon, I have my sights set on a European marathon this year! Growing up in the South Lakes, being outdoors is important, I love a long countryside walk!

9. In your opinion – energy and sustainability aside, what is likely to be the biggest game changer in our built environment in the next 50 years?

Firstly, is preparing for increased city density: Our cities need to grow at a rapid rate to accommodate the growing population. We need to find ways to address the issues of creating housing, not just for the current population but also for the additional 3billion on their way.

Secondly is AI: It is daunting to contemplate how quickly technology advances, however there is no doubt in 2070 AI will be shaping our environments in some way, therefore we need the skillset to adapt. We will learn to work differently, just like CAD and Revit didn’t displace Architects it transformed workflows. Embracing the new tools and evolving knowledge will be key, Architects must remain current and continually update their skill sets.

10. What is one thing you believe we should be talking about in architecture that isn’t discussed?

Fees, value, & the image of the Architect. Key themes which the Manchester Society of Architects will be running a series of events and conversations on over the next 12 months.