One of our Architects, Robert Davidson has recently adopted the role of RIBA Mentor to a group of students studying at Newcastle and Northumbria University.

So far, the group have been given an overview of GRADONARCHITECTURE as a practice, our values and examples of past and present projects. They even came to visit us in the studio, which was a particular achievement in the snow!

Rob will be mentoring this group throughout the academic year and hopes to impart as much of his knowledge on them as possible while in this role.

“At GRADONARCHITECTURE we believe it is extremely important to give students the opportunity to see practice and studio culture. Academia and working life can feel like two completely different worlds, so it is critical as practitioners we help to reduce that gap. The RIBA Mentoring scheme is an excellent way to do this. Students often have no prior experience of what working in practice is like, so it gives them a real insight into how practice life may be for them before they start their Part I year out. We hope to give the students who participate confidence, and an opportunity to ask any questions they may need to ask.

GRADONARCHITECTURE has been actively involved in mentoring students through other extended programs such as the T Levels apprenticeship scheme, and as a practice we also encourage work experience, placements and help with the ARB Part 3 Examinations at Newcastle University.

As a profession we must continue to invest our time in students as they are the worlds future. After all, they will be the next generation of thinkers, designers, problem solvers (Architects).”

Thanks to RIBA North East for coordinating the scheme.