Part 2 / Part 3 Design focused Architect

About the role

As an important team member in helping deliver Define’s developing architectural ambition and capability, you will work alongside Define’s design led team of planners, urban designers, graphic designers, landscape architects and architects, playing a key role in architectural led projects. You will be working on a wide variety of project types, including residential led masterplanning and mixed use masterplanning schemes, complemented by conceptual and detailed architectural activities – for example the design of local / neighbourhood centres and bespoke residential / community / mobility hubs / pavilions and mixed use applications. The exact split and nature of these projects will be subject to market demand and BD success and work will be predominately be based around residential led masterplanning and the detailed design of parts of these schemes. This is likely to include bespoke residential led schemes, particularly in sensitive contexts. Projects will include, increasing the number of town and city centre / urban architectural led mixed use schemes. Your working will mostly be from initial design stages / through to Planning application (RIBA Plan of Work work stages 0-3 incl.), but will also include specific project delivery / construction.

Role Deliverables:

Work closely with Associate Director of Architecture and the whole team in helping deliver architectural services, including but not restricted to undertaking and preparation of:

Architectural feasibility studies incl. written reports, plans, drawings and specifications. – Architectural design and production of graphic presentation material

Site studies and appraisals, including sketch design capacity studies

Development frameworks, briefs and Vision Documents for strategic land promotion

Site / area masterplans

Outline / Reserved Matters / Detailed Planning application packages

Involvement in ‘best practice’ initiatives.

Our salary package and benefits include:

Competitive salary dependent on experience (Potential candidate to advise existing salary and benefit package)

Matched pension contributions of up to 5%

25 days annual leave + bank holidays (with an extra day of leave after 3 years for your birthday)

Healthcare cash plan

Discretionary annual bonus

About you

Key Skills:

Design led architectural approach

Ability to efficiently take forward and develop architectural sketch ideas, to graphically strongillustrations for presentation, through to detailed design

Collaborative and positive ‘can do’ way of thinking, with design interest and curiosity

Preferably (but not essential) wide breadth of project experience including designing commercial, residential and mixed use buildings, as part of wider design masterplan, as well as re-use and repurposing of existing buildings.

Graphic / IT skills required:

CAD proficient – Define use Mac based Vectorworks; training can be provided if required to transition from AutoCAD or other CAD design packages

Photoshop – strong graphic presentational skills

InDesign – delivery of reports, studies, DAS and so on

SketchUp – massing modelling and architectural design

3D skills and graphic design / presentation

Define promote a culture of inclusion and value diversity positively to create a better workplace in which everyone can feel comfortable as themselves. We recognise that different ideas and perspectives help improve our decision-making, our services, and to deliver stronger outcomes. We commit to treating all our job applicants and employees fairly and with respect, irrespective of background, disability or any other protected characteristic. If we need to adjust anything in our recruitment process to support you, please do not hesitate to contact us at jobs@wearedefine.com.

About us

Define is a multi-disciplinary practice of urban designers, architects, landscape architects and planners established in 2011 and based in central Birmingham. We aspire to shape places that enrich people’s lives and are involved in a variety of exciting projects across the UK. We have a reputation for delivering the highest quality of service to our valued clients.

We promote a collaborative approach, providing a blend of technical and creative perspectives through the provision of integrated assessment, design and planning consultancy services. Our response to each project is inspired by its context in order to shape and realise exemplary communities and landscapes. Places with rich identities that respond to the needs of our changing society and climate change.

Our investment in professional research ensures that Define is a recognised leader of the development and application of best practice in our field. We seek to utilise new technology in order to improve both the services we provide and the quality of the places we create.

The creativity, commitment and enthusiasm of our staff is recognised as being key to the success of the Practice.