Co-Op Term Experience
“Stuart Howard Architects marked a transition period for me as I made the switch from business to design. Between the mad rush to learn Vectorworks and deciphering the language of architecture, my first few weeks were hectic, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. The team at SHA was incredibly accommodating, from answering code questions to explaining office procedures. Everyone made me feel welcome from the get-go and excited to come to work every day.
My responsibilities were broad, including research of specific bylaws and zoning, drafting of existing plans, detailing components of houses, and providing administrative support on over 20 projects. I learned the value of scheduling as a firm, as different projects were in different phases that required varying levels of work. My four months were mainly focused on a couple of projects, while I helped out on others when needed. On my last day at SHA, I was extremely gratified to learn that a project I’d worked on for four months had received its building permit (I found out in my final 10 minutes!).
The office culture at SHA was incredible, from Tuesday lunches to Fitness Fridays, with everyone put in positions and encouraged to interact with each other. You get to know one another quickly, which makes the office quite cohesive. This open communication pays dividends during stressful periods, when coworkers team up to help each other and meet tough deadlines. This communication starts with Stuart and Neil, who lead weekly office meetings to go over every project the firm is involved with. While those meetings were dense with information, it was super interesting to hear what everyone was working on, and a great opportunity to learn about the variety of projects and challenges the firm is involved with.
An aim of my co-op experience was to learn about the politics of design, and lessons were fast and often. In Vancouver, architecture is inextricably linked to code and the municipality, with each project a juggling act of design and bylaws. My responsibilities included writing energy reports and application forms, filling out professional schedules, coordinating with other professionals and communicating with city officials meet their requirements. Delving into the Vancouver building code was eye-opening, and although I only scratched the surface, I gained an immense appreciation for the precision-planning and research architects are involved in.
While most of my responsibilities were in drafting and researching, I was also able to participate in meetings with city officials, clients, and contractors. Being exposed to all their different ways of communication and requirements was invaluable. I learned that complications arise at all stages of a project (particularly with renovations), and a large part of an architect’s job is being able to plan for the unknown and to adjust on the fly.
I am extremely grateful to Stuart, Neil and the entire SHA team for taking me in and teaching me for four months. The leap from business to design had a steep learning curve, but there is no place I would rather have made it than at Stuart Howard Architects.”
Bio
Sam is a marketing and brand analyst making the transition from communications design to architecture. His experience in business focused on using strategy and design to explain, sell and in general, make things look better and more appealing. Sam hopes to use his time at SHA to develop new skills, and also to study the architectural process, particularly around how the politics of municipalities impact urban planning and architectural design standards.
Education & Credentials
Sam graduated from UBC in 2017 with a BComm (Hon) in Entrepreneurship. While working at Combo Creative since graduation, Sam managed the creative teams building two websites (including graphic designers, animators, writers and web developers) and acted as video producer on two projects. He is proficient in HTML and CSS, and has working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite.