EZ:My favourite memories were in the design studio where I get to boost my creativity, explore and experiment with different ideas, approaches and possibilities in design. I am extremely grateful to my tutors who guided me through the process of design and trained me to master independent and critical thinking. Looking back, I believe this was the most important thing to me, which gave me core competence in the journey later on. They also encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone and push my limits. I also enjoyed working with students from different countries and backgrounds. To learn how to work in a team has proven to be an important skill in the professional life, especially in a collaborative profession such as architecture. In this perspective, the architecture course here in UNNC built a strong and comprehensive foundation for my further studies and my career.
Q: After completion of your UG Architecture studies at UNNC you spent one year in a Professional practice. Was it helpful for your later Master studies?
EZ:Yes, it was really helpful. In fact, I would really recommend having a year of practice experience before going into further studies. Architecture is a profession that is heavily dependent on professional experience. The year in practice helped me grounded what I learnt from school in reality while giving me knowledge that can only be learnt in practice, showed me what is expected of me to be an architect. It also helped me to find the direction I would like to pursue in my further studies. More importantly, I learnt professional work ethics, efficient workflow and task management skills which helped me perform better in my Master’s study. I would not be as confident and strong if I walked into the Master’s study without toughening up in practice.
Q: Later you continued with further development of your professional career by Master studies of Architecture (ARB/RIBA Part II) at the Manchester School of Architecture in UK. Study at such a high quality university is quite challenging. You, as the UNNC graduate, did you feel prepared for such a demanding studies abroad?
EZ:Yes, it was indeed very challenging. I think that is true for all ARB/RIBA Part II students. The course is set up in a way that expects enrolled students already have got at least 12 months of practice experience. Therefore, it is quite a big leap from the ARB/RIBA Part I. If the Part I course is taking baby steps with tutors holding your hands every step of the way, then Part II is purely flying by yourself.
I think one of the biggest advantages as a UNNC graduate was that I am very familiar with the course structure and the teaching system. UNNC’s course prepared me with all relevant knowledge required. All the trainings I received matches what is required in Part II. I adapted to the new environment very quickly. The language skills I’ve mastered in UNNC did play an important role, not just in my studies, but also made my life a lot easier in the UK. It allows me to get a deeper understanding of British culture, which is very important for creating good design in that context.
Q: After graduating with a master's degree, you worked for a year in an architecture studio in London and then returned to China and began working as an architectural designer with Chapman Taylor International in the Shanghai office. Can you compare your experience from the Architectural practice in UK and in China?
EZ: I worked on two central London projects in the year practicing in the UK. In London, most projects are refurbishment projects involving dealing with historic buildings. The scale of the projects is relatively small comparing to projects in China. The planning law in the UK is very strict, so we had to handle more restrictions than that in China.
Practices in the UK generally have strong and dynamic organisational culture. This creates employee centred work environment, which help boost personal growth. Highly efficient work ethics is also appreciated. Working overtime is not common whereas in China and other Asian countries, overtime is inevitable given the large scale and high complexity of projects. All UK practices use BIM to design, manage and document projects. In China, BIM is not yet
Q: You're going to soon complete your professional qualification in the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). You've already completed the RIBA Part 1 and Part 2, and will shortly complete the RIBA Part 3. What is your experience with that qualification? What is your experience with RIBA in China?
EZ: Part 3 is the last bit of journey for architects’ registration in the UK. It requires candidates to work full time while doing the course. Doing Part 3 in China has been quite a challenge for me as my work schedule is usually quite hectic. Finding time to study alongside work requires good time management strategy and perseverance.Using a project in China to do the case study has been intriguing as it reveals the different approaches in building procurement and planning procedures. The comparative study has given me broader understanding of the industry.
This year I have been very fortunate to be elected as the Honorary Secretary of the RIBA China Chapter. My duty is to ensure the smooth running of the Chapter business. As the only female member of the RIBA China Chapter committee, I am initiating the ‘Women in Architecture Digital Nexus’. It aims to celebrate the success of female architects around the world through a series of industry events. The Nexus will form a network to share their stories, which will also help mentor and inspire younger generation of architects. Eventually, we hope to promote gender equality and diversity in the industry in China and beyond.
Q: Your experience is of a great value. We would like to ask one more question: What would you recommend to UNNC students at the UG studies of Architecture?
EZ: I believe our students already have a strong skillset that make them very competitive among other architecture students in China. As a student, it is normal to feel unsure about their future paths and tend to follow what most people do. I would suggest to take a step back and think very carefully about what career trajectory to take before rushing into the next phase of their study. Getting good practice experience is vital in the journey of becoming a more matured designer as it guides you to find your true passion and equips you with important skills that can be found in classrooms.
Thank you very much for sharing your experience with us. We very appreciate indeed.