The People Behind the Projects
🔹 Interviewed by: Chris Watling
🔹 Guest: Joe Shepherd , Architect, PRP
In every successful project, there’s more than just a strategy—there’s a story. The People Behind the Projects shines a light on the individuals whose work powers progress, innovation, and impact.
This week, I sat down with Joe to learn more about his journey, understand his thoughts on certain topics, and discuss talking points for the wider industry.
What inspired you to pursue a career in construction and architecture?
I decided to pursue architecture during a GCSE school trip to Berlin, particularly after visiting Norman Foster’s refurbishment of the Reichstag. I remember being amazed by how a beautifully designed space could evoke such a strong emotional response, creating a shared sense of awe and wonder among those experiencing it. From that moment, and throughout my journey through formal architectural education, I’ve been inspired by the idea of creating these profound, powerful moments. I believe these experiences can be woven into all areas of the built environment, creating spaces that bring joy, encourage connection, and help enable communities.
2. What is one valuable lesson you’ve learned in professional practice that wasn’t covered during your university education?
I was fortunate enough to complete the Level 7 Apprenticeship, which allowed me to balance working in practice with academic study during the final years of my education. One of the most valuable lessons I took from working in practice, and something I then brought back into my academic work, was the importance of communication. In architecture school, we’re trained to present our designs through engaging, narrative-driven storytelling, often tailored to other architects. But in practice, communication needs to be far more adaptable. For example, when speaking with a fire engineer, the design concept isn’t usually their primary concern, they want to know where the compartment lines are and how the fire escape’s function, conversely when communicating to a client perhaps they do need to hear the narrative but in this scenario it may be in a more accessible and simplified way so that the concept is clear and undiluted. I have learned a lot since being in professional practice but this has been a fundamental and well used skill, tailoring my communication to suit the audience and the context, ensuring that the message is clear, relevant, and effective in all scenarios.
3. As a newly qualified architect, do you feel adequately prepared in terms of your knowledge of Approved Document B and other key industry regulations?
At PRP, we regularly hold Bitesize talks led by colleagues across the practice. Unsurprisingly, Approved Document B and additional fire safety legislation and guidance have been a key focus of these sessions. These talks provide a clear, concise way to stay informed and prepared for the evolving regulatory landscape. However, what I have often found even more useful is the many members of the wider PRP team who have extensive expertise in this area and are approachable and generous with their time and knowledge, making it easy to seek clarification or deeper understanding whenever needed.
4. What advice would you offer to aspiring architects or those just beginning their careers?
One key piece of advice I’ve come to value over many years is the importance of observation and awareness of the built environment. Most construction techniques, materials, and design approaches have been explored in some form before, therefore the more you see, experience, read about, and research, the more informed and innovative your own designs will become. I find that travelling to different countries and immersing myself in new environments opens my eyes to fresh, creative approaches. These experiences constantly inspire and elevate the work I do every day.
5. What do you consider to be the most significant constraints or limitations faced by architects today?
I guess coming at it from a slightly different angle, one of the most significant and ongoing failures of the construction industry in the past has been its limited regard for environmental responsibility and sustainable design. This is an issue that we as architects face but also carries serious long-term implications for the built environment and for future generations. While sustainability is gradually becoming a more prominent part of the conversation, several persistent barriers remain. These include a general lack of knowledge across the industry, insufficient emphasis on the reuse and adaptation of existing buildings, misaligned client priorities, and a complex framework of statutory regulations that, while essential, often complicate the implementation of truly sustainable solutions. The challenge for us architects is to make sure our projects are sustainably driven and convince others within the design team that this should be a top priority.
Note: These are Joe's personal opinions and do not represent the views of PRP.
🙌 Let’s Celebrate the People Behind the Projects
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