Inside the Role of an Architectural Technologist: Design Collaboration, and Sustainability

A day at the Forfar office

I commute to our Forfar office twice a week, arriving at 9am. I typically start the day by catching up with my colleague Chris from the Design team before diving into my emails and prioritising tasks. My focus then shifts to my current projects, which vary in scale and complexity. Once a month, we hold a Forfar team meeting where colleagues from across departments – Design, Land Management, Agency, and Utilities – gather to discuss ongoing projects and share ideas. These meetings are invaluable for fostering collaboration and keeping up with developments across the business. We also enjoy brainstorming team-building activities, as we value socialising outside of work whenever possible. Recently, we’ve started an office badminton club, and we’re gearing up for a friendly tournament with our Perth office soon!

Path to Architectural Technology

My passion for design began with technical drawing, and I was eager to take Graphic Communication at Advanced Higher level in school. Unfortunately, my school didn’t offer that course, so I pursued Advanced Higher Art instead, where I was able to focus on landscape architecture . Determined to keep my interest in technical drawing alive, I explored university courses that aligned with my aspirations. I eventually graduated from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen with a BSc in Architectural Technology. Since joining Bell Ingram seven years ago, I’ve taken on increased responsibilities, including managing my own projects and serving as an internal auditor.

Current Projects

My work spans everything from large-scale conservation projects, like Braemar Castle, to steading conversions, office buildings and one off residential properties. Thanks to our sizeable team, we also work on framework agreements, which add another layer of complexity and opportunity to the role. The range of experiences and the rural focus are truly unique to Bell Ingram, and it’s a big part of what I love about working here.

Adapting to Industry Changes

The industry in Scotland is undergoing significant changes, particularly in the respect to new building regulations which aim to drive energy targets to help achieve Net Zero. With a keen interest in old and traditional buildings and bringing them up to modern standards, I enjoy the challenge new regulations bring. I find it incredibly rewarding to breathe new life into rundown buildings, and it’s an area of expertise I’ve developed and look forward to continuing.