We recently said goodbye to Jack Kittle as he set off on an exciting journey to travel the world before returning to continue his architectural studies. Before departing for Australia, Jack reflected on his time at LHC Design, sharing insights from his experience as a Part 1 Architectural Assistant. His story offers valuable guidance for those preparing to begin their own professional journey.
The Part 1 Architectural Assistant role offers an invaluable opportunity for early-career professionals to gain hands-on experience and understand how architecture comes together in the real world. With complex projects requiring collaboration across multiple disciplines, our architectural assistants are an integral part of the team—supporting a range of tasks and making meaningful contributions from day one.
After completing my bachelor’s degree in architecture and graduating from the University of Plymouth in July 2024, I was eager to begin my placement year and gain first-hand experience in the industry that I had spent the past three years preparing to enter. My time at LHC has been immensely rewarding. It has offered a comprehensive insight into life within an architecture practice and allowed me to engage with projects across RIBA Stages 0–5, from strategic definition and briefing to technical design and on-site experience.
From my very first day, I was actively involved in project work, immediately using Revit for the National Marine Park project. Since then, I have contributed to masterplanning alongside an urban designer for a 450-dwelling housing scheme and played a role in designing timber prefabricated holiday units for a development in a Cornish valley.
The opportunity to take on real responsibility and contribute to key design elements across multiple schemes has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of my placement.
Jack Kittle I Part 1 Architectural Assistant
Beyond project work, the people at LHC have been a defining part of my experience. Based in the Plymouth studio at Royal William Yard, I quickly became part of a welcoming and supportive team. Whether walking or swimming at lunchtime with colleagues or simply being surrounded by creative and engaging individuals, my time at LHC has felt like much more than just a job.
The strong sense of community across LHC’s three studios has been invaluable to my development, as has the support from my mentor, Josef Horner. Jo, along with several others, played a crucial role in my experience—always taking the time to answer questions, offer guidance, and ensure I felt fully integrated into the team.
Jo also played a formal role as my mentor by assisting me with my RIBA PEDR (Professional Experience Development Record) entries. This process involved writing and reflecting on the past three months of practice before meeting with Jo to discuss the challenges, successes, and key learning opportunities from the quarter. We scheduled monthly meetings to ensure at least an hour of direct contact time, reviewing my experience, identifying gaps across work stages, and clarifying any uncertainties that had arisen in the preceding weeks.
Before joining LHC, I had some apprehensions about how my year as a Part One Architectural Assistant might unfold. I was wary of being confined to mundane CAD-based or scheduling tasks, as I had heard some placements could be, and missing out on a broader experience. However, my time at LHC could not have been more different. I have been trusted with creative responsibilities, given opportunities to present ideas in key meetings, visited sites to witness projects materialising, and participated in meaningful social value activities such as a tree-planting day.
Throughout the year, I expanded my technical skill set and engaged with new tools, including conducting research in Autodesk Forma for energy-efficient site strategies, creating and curating multiple Design & Access Statements using Adobe software, conducting sketch testing using an iPad and Morpholio Trace, and refining my proficiency in Autodesk Revit while also learning to use AutoCAD.
My familiarity with Twinmotion was particularly valued within the team as a visualisation and design tool, allowing me to contribute effectively to visual presentations and project development.
I have always felt encouraged to share ideas and offer my input, and I have been fortunate to work with colleagues whose diverse experiences—both in architecture and life—have enriched my time at LHC. My placement year has not only strengthened my design and technical understanding but also increased my awareness of how a multi-disciplinary architecture practice operates. I feel incredibly fortunate to have spent this time at LHC and I am grateful for the support, trust, and opportunities that I have been given.