Architect

Q&A with Sui-Te Wu

1. What is/was your job title?

I am a RIBA Client Adviser and Director of Lean BIM Strategies, providing strategic architectural advice to clients in the education sector and local authorities in UK.

I was the Group Design Director for a large national architectural design consultancy until 2017. Before that I held a senior position in Local Authority as the technical lead for the multi-disciplinary building design service.

2. What does your job involve?

As a practicing architect, my job has always been focusing on architectural design for projects that are typically complex and significantly in scale.

This involves in-depth research on the nature of the relevant project scope, the site setting, the environmental impact of the development and the key stakeholders’ engagement. Above all, I prioritise getting to know the client’s objectives and their needs, opportunities and constraints of the projects.

Social values have always been the backbone of urban and architectural design. However, proactive responses to the Climate Emergency are high priority. Utilise technology and data are key to evidence design decision.

3. What does it look like on an average day?

For practicing architects, there is not a typical/average day. Of course, there will be programme and work plan for the projects in hand. There will also be new clients to contact, existing clients to focus on and previous clients to continue to nurture.

To keep abreast with the current issues and the new technical development, I learn and develop continuingly, including from visiting buildings and spaces that matter.

4. What qualifications and experiences enabled you to achieve your position?

I completed a Master’s degree in architecture at Rice University in Texas, United States, after I graduated in Taiwan. I gained very valuable knowledge that I set out to pursue, and diverse experiences and independence from a wider perspective of the western world.

Sui-Te studied Art at High School before embarking on her degree and Masters degree in Architecture.

5. Any advice for aspiring creative students?

My advice for any students who wish to pursue architecture as the career route will be to learn how to express their ideas and to communicate positively with others, to be curious, and to aim high to contribute to the environment, with creativity.

Never let any barrier to be an obstacle in achieving your goals.