What made you want to step up into the role as Partner?
I worked at my previous practice for 15 years. During this time, I had risen from Architect to Director, through the ranks. Around 5 years ago in 2018, I was made aware of the opportunity to apply for my current role as Partner at FPA. I thought carefully about it, as I was happy with the job I was in and the people I worked with, and I worked 30 minutes from home. My children were 11 & 8 years old, and as their primary carer, work and childcare were manageable. However, there was something about FPA that intrigued me about their design reputation. I realised that as my children transitioned to secondary school, they would become more self-sufficient, and it was worth giving it a try. After a process of several months, I was delighted to be offered the position. There was no turning back – it was time for a new challenge!
How did you get to where you are now? Did you always know what you wanted to do?
I was inspired to look into architecture as a career from an interest in Art and Physics at school, and a fascination with making from childhood. After my GCSE’s, through a contact from my Art Teacher, I found an architect’s practice for my 2 weeks work experience, and I absolutely loved it. I knew immediately that this was the job for me. I focused on developing my portfolio and applying to schools of Architecture during my A’ levels.
My path was fairly conventional – I took an Architecture degree at Sheffield University (RIBA part 1) There then followed a year out where the student has to find work with a practice. A recession had hit (1990) and there were suddenly no jobs available … well for me anyway… I do recall wondering if having an unusual name was a factor in getting no interviews. Undeterred, I set out for Paris, as I had working knowledge of French and at the time, they had a more buoyant economy than the UK. Paris was an adventure….! Eventually I completed the required employment to commence my Diploma course. I decided to apply to the Bartlett (UCL), as I had heard that Sir Peter Cook, founding member of Archigram, a visionary architecture practice, had become the Head of the Bartlett. I was accepted and enjoyed two very creative years there, gaining my RIBA part 2.
On leaving the Bartlett there was another (or the same?) recession (or something…?) affecting my job opportunities …. So, I took an AutoCAD course at Hackney Community College to acquire extra skills – CAD was still in its infancy at the time. After a month or so, through a recruitment agency, I was employed on a one-month contract at a largish commercial practice and made myself as useful as possible so that I was made permanent. There I was able to complete my RIBA Part 3, to become an ARB registered Architect – eight years after commencing the course. Remembering the feeling of achievement, it is still a great moment when I see students complete this – I am now an external examiner at the Bartlett, and a mentor to students in my practice.
That was in 1995, of course qualifying was just the beginning of my career. I was keen to move into working on projects that overlapped my areas of interest and my next role from a chance meeting that I found a small practice specialising in recording studios and acoustic environments. At the time I was also making and performing my own music so this was a great match. After seven years however the economic situation at that practice led me to return to more mainstream work. I joined a large multidisciplinary practice for a year, and when that was also going through flux, found my previous practice, where I gained expertise in residential design an mixed use regeneration, and stayed for 15 years.
Copyright - Fletcher Priest Architects.
What does your Senior Role title actually involve?
The title is one of huge responsibility – jointly leading a practice employing 120 staff. There are several key areas including – Design, Client Management, New Business, Practice Management, Leadership and People Management. My day to day tasks involve leading projects - commenting on and contributing to design at a strategic or detailed level according to the project stage. Our practice is highly design led, so design quality is fundamental to our reputation. At the same time, I need to be engaging with new or existing clients to get opportunities to win new work, and when one comes in, leading the bid. The financial aspects are crucial – we are running a business. All the partners also have roles and contributions to running the practice – some of my areas of responsibility are health and safety and diversity champion. Ensuring our teams are working effectively and happy takes investment and time too, so managing relationships across the practice plays a part, involving being a mentor and mentee.
Be bold and confident – step up and find your voice even if at first it feels out of your comfort zone, keep learning so you bring new skillsets to your profile.”
My name is Dipa Joshi, I am 53 years old and I have been working in Architecture for around 30 years now.
I am an Architect with over 25 years’ design and implementation experience in various sectors including residential, commercial and recording studio design. My background also includes running clubs and performing in bands in the 90’s.
My current career role is Partner and Residential Lead at Fletcher Priest Architects, London.
What is it like being a woman in a Senior position and how does it feel?
It is an acquired skill! It requires resilience and a thick skin sometimes. There are pros and cons to there not being many women in senior positions. On one hand we are noticed and stand out from the crowd; on another we need to be assertive (but not aggressive) with our ideas and opinions to ensure they are heard. It’s a balance to pick your battles. I feel privileged to have been selected for my role, in quite a male dominated landscape, and my daily challenge is to use my skills to make the best impression of myself.
Challenges come in all shapes and sizes – it's important in these moments to think about the priorities, be discerning, be tenacious, keep your integrity, be resilient, try and see the positive, be kind, go with your instinct, be solution focused. Take advice from trusted and experienced people.
My passion for design keeps me motivated to keep going everyday – being an architect means that the core driver of what we do is to create a better environment through good design. Getting through a challenging time is always a learning process.
"Despite the challenges, the best things I love about my role is leading a team of amazing people all striving for good design, to create great projects by bringing the best of their abilities out. Growing and improving a design led architecture practice. Seeing people enjoying our built projects!"
What advice would you give a young woman aspiring to progress to senior level in the industry?
Be bold and confident – step up and find your voice even if at first it feels out of your comfort zone, keep learning so you bring new skillsets to your profile, be kind and support those below you, listen to others but believe in yourself, don’t give up. It is possible to have a career and a family!
Dipa Joshi
@deep2rap