LOVE LOCAL
A day in the life of…
Kicking off this new series, David Adams and Tom Scott of Graham Handley Architects share a typical day in their working lives, as they combine creativity and problem- solving skills to shape homes and developments for their clients 9 am: Coffee is essential, toast is optional Diaries are often full, with client meetings, project deadlines and site visits. The beginning of the day is precious: phone calls, team meetings and a review of the day or week ahead. We may have 30 or 40 projects at various stages, from very early sketches to being under construction. 10 am: Meeting new clients It’s always exciting to begin a new project, whether it lasts four weeks or four years; it’s even better when the client’s friendly dog is on hand to offer an enthusiastic welcome! The team works with consultants, contractors and clients to transform complex briefs into practical solutions that balance functionality with a strong visual identity. 11 am: How are we doing? Despite the lure of projects, we also review the business itself – the pipeline of future work, continuous professional development (CPD) or the opportunities of completed or in-progress projects. Architects must be able to master the spreadsheet as well as the pencil (whether Apple or graphite). 12 pm: A working lunch Lunch is an important part of the day. We might be meeting
BRICK BY BRICK Both Tom (above) and David (top) take a hands-on approach to their work. Meeting with clients, drawing sketches and attending site visits, they are there every step of the way
a potential client or fellow professional, or perhaps having a learning lunch (CPD is both an obligation of our professional qualification and a practical necessity in a fast-moving world). 2 pm: Does it look like the drawing? Site visits are essential. We’ll walk round, answering queries, asking questions, checking quality and monitoring the progress. A lot can change in two weeks
(the average time between visits), so it’s great to have a set of drawings and witness first-hand the gradual shift from a space that is problematic to one that generates a new way of working or living. 4 pm: Do I make a phone call or develop the drawings? The life of the architect requires balance: actions, consequences, relative urgency. A contractor’s question; a client query; the internal review of a design concept. We may be maximising natural light in a new build or developing designs for a period renovation. We try to guide projects from early concepts through to detailed design and delivery. 5 pm: The end is not the end Projects finish more than once. Snagging (checking that everything is as expected), practical completion (the client moves into their new home) and the rectification period (sorting out any minor issues). Then there are completion photos because we’re proud of our projects and love to show them off.
gharchitects.com
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK JUNE 2026 75
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