By Jacques de Klerk
This year has marked a significant milestone for our studio as we have embarked on the most robust graduate and intern programme we have hosted to date. We have welcomed one graduate on a comprehensive two-year programme, an intern for a focused one-year programme, and two dynamic short-term interns. Having the new generation in the office has invigorated our practice and prompted us to consider what it means to pass the torch in an industry.
When you decide to become a professional architect, you inherently commit to a certain standard. You work relentlessly to achieve architecture that is beautiful, feasible, and economically sound. However, our mission extends beyond the structures we create; it is fundamentally about empowering every architect to reach their full potential. We strive to live out our values not just in words, but in decisive action. We design for the long term, and we are committed to helping the next generation do the same.
This vision presents a unique challenge. It is not merely about creating beautiful buildings, but about cultivating an environment that empowers architects to create the best possible architecture. For this to work, you must look beyond your own capabilities. It requires a willingness to sow, plant, and water seeds in up-and-coming professionals eager to make their mark on the built environment.
Through this year’s expanded programme, we have observed three fundamental truths about collaboration and growth:
1. The Blessing of Difference:
The first crucial lesson is understanding that every person possesses a unique skill set. It is a profound revelation that a studio thrives on this diversity rather than uniformity. It means some individuals will uncover opportunities where others only see problems. It means some will find genuine joy in the precise, meticulous tasks of architecture that others might view as tedious. There is a distinct blessing in our differences: new perspectives are gained, and the final result is better.
2. Culture is Caught, Not Just Taught:
The second challenge is instilling your workplace culture. This involves teaching methodologies, certainly, but more importantly, it requires holding yourself to the very standards you champion. While some things are taught, most things are caught. As the old adage goes, if someone says they have measles but actually has mumps, the people around them will catch mumps. We duplicate who we are. Young professionals learn by observing our approach far more than by simply listening to instructions.
3. The Unwritten Commandment: Thou Shalt Have Fun:
The final part, which is too often forgotten in the pressures of deadlines, is the 11th commandment: thou shalt have fun. Working in a team is truly a good time. The sheer pleasure of collaborating with others is one of the most underestimated aspects of being a professional in an industry that demands teamwork.
We may not have outlined a perfect, step-by-step manual on how to lead and train the next generation, but that is a journey you must undertake yourself. Our ultimate advice? Try it. The next generation is smart, technologically fluent, and ready to outwork you in ways you might not expect. As an industry, we should all embrace the profound value of intern and graduate programmes. After all, the best way to build the future is to empower those who will shape it.