Job Description

At Purcell, we're offering a unique opportunity for an Architect to join our friendly, supportive team in Bermondsey to contribute to the restoration of the Palace of Westminster Estate, one of the UK's most iconic and historically significant sites.


You'll be working on projects across all RIBA stages, combining heritage conservation with innovative design to ensure this UNESCO World Heritage Site stands strong for future generations. We believe in fostering a collaborative environment where knowledge sharing and professional growth are at the heart of everything we do.


If you're an Architect with excellent technical and conservation skills and a passion for high-quality work, we'd love to hear from you and offer you the chance to be part of something extraordinary.



The successful candidate will evidence keen attention to detail and high-quality examples of work submitted with their applications. You will need to be able to display a can-do attitude, willingness to learn and understanding of Purcell's projects and culture. We offer a rewarding and supportive environment for personal and professional development.



This is an excellent opportunity to join our talented team, and we are keen to talk to architects who understand conservation principles have excellent presentation skills as well as enthusiasm to produce high quality work.


Purcell is an award-winning employee-owned architectural and heritage consultancy practice with a commitment to quality, innovation, and diversity.


We have staff of approximately 300 talented architects, designers, heritage consultants and surveyors across 14 offices, in the UK, Hong Kong and Australia. Winners of Architect Employer of the Year 2022.


Collaboration is central to our employee-ownership culture, providing opportunities to work on some of the finest buildings; from meticulous heritage and conservation schemes to bold contemporary design. We offer a rewarding and supportive environment for personal and professional development and our employee-owned ethos empowers everyone to use their voice. We believe in creating an equitable and inclusive culture, founded on our values, which celebrates knowledge sharing and our successes, to build an inspiring work environment.



It is our distinctive employee-owned working culture that has contributed to our status as a World Architecture Top 100 Practice, renowned for our excellence in architecture and heritage consultancy.


Benefits


Our benefits package includes


Agile, flexible and hybrid working, (a minimum of 3 days in office, up to 2 days WFH) Annual leave increasing with long service Life assurance Study sponsorship with paid study leave Sabbaticals Employee assistance programme Season ticket loans Cycle to work scheme Virtual GP service Subscription fees Company day out A volunteering scheme Enhanced learning & development opportunities. The Role

Responsibilities

Support multiple projects across all RIBA stages, assisting senior staff to ensure timely and budget-friendly delivery. Apply conservation principles under guidance for historic buildings, ensuring basic compliance with heritage regulations and guidelines Contribute to design development and technical detailing, ensuring solutions are contextually sensitive and align with building regulations. Assist senior architects and associates in managing client relationships and preparing design proposals for stakeholders. Ensure designs meet building regulations and conservation standards by conducting site visits and supporting quality monitoring. Integrate sustainable and energy-efficient solutions into projects, applying innovative practices where relevant. Assist in managing project budgets and preparing fee proposals, supporting the delivery of projects within budget constraints. Use BIM processes (Revit, AutoCAD, NBS) to support design coordination and documentation. Stay informed about industry trends and attend relevant events to build professional knowledge and networks.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential:


You should have successfully completed your Part 3 qualification and gained 2-4 years of practical experience working on architectural projects in the UK, where you've been involved in managing and delivering projects from concept through to completion. You are proficient in industry-standard software, particularly Revit for Building Information Modelling (BIM), AutoCAD for technical drawing, and NBS for creating specifications, enabling you to efficiently produce accurate documentation and collaborate effectively with the project team. You possess excellent design capabilities, with a keen eye for detail, and can produce high-quality, accurate drawings that effectively communicate design ideas and meet the project's technical requirements. You have a comprehensive understanding of the UK's building codes, planning regulations, and statutory requirements, ensuring all designs comply with the relevant legal frameworks and are feasible within the context of planning applications. You can clearly articulate design concepts and technical details to clients, contractors, and team members both in writing and verbally. Your communication style is clear, professional, and tailored to various stakeholders. You have hands-on experience across all RIBA stages, from concept design through to post-occupancy, and are comfortable taking projects from initial feasibility studies to final delivery and evaluation. You have an interest or strong background in conservation architecture, ensuring that your designs and interventions are sensitive to the historical and cultural significance of buildings, adhering to established conservation standards and practices

Desirable:


Experience working with NEC3/4 contracts, managing project delivery and ensuring compliance with the terms and conditions. Have a keen interest in obtaining, or are already on the path to obtaining, a conservation qualification or accreditation. How to apply


Please email a copy of your CV and portfolio referencing job code

P0042

to recruitment@purcelluk.com. Please include details of your Right to Work in the United Kingdom, as well as an available start date.
This job description is a guide to the duties the post holder will be expected to undertake. It is not intended to be exhaustive or exclusive and will be subject to change as working requirements dictate and to meet the organisational requirements of Purcell.

Don't meet every single requirement? That's okay.


Research shows that women and people from underrepresented backgrounds can be less likely to apply unless they meet every criteria listed. At Purcell, we are committed to building an inclusive, transparent, and welcoming team. If you're enthusiastic about the role and excited to grow and learn with us, we warmly encourage you to apply.


When applying, please feel free to use your preferred name -- we don't require full or birth names at this stage.

We are proud to foster a culture of kindness, respect, and authenticity, where everyone can thrive and bring their whole selves to work.


Please note that due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unfortunately unable to provide individual feedback. If you have not heard from us within 6 weeks of your original application, then you have been unsuccessful. Please continue to look at our vacancies and apply where relevant. We wish you all the best in your job search.



As world leaders of heritage and conservation, Purcell is committed to embracing diversity and equal opportunity within our international teams, reflective of the society in which we work and live.

We welcome people from all backgrounds and celebrate differences through our culture of employee ownership.