A New Semester at SPACE

Developing a career in architecture requires years of commitment and perseverance. For those who qualify, it's a testament of their determination, and passion for the craft. The academic period is long, but the journey doesn't end in the lecture theatre. To progress, architectural students and graduates need space to build confidence, deepen their understanding of the industry and apply their academic learning through real-world practice.

At SPACE Architects, we believe in giving young people the opportunities to thrive in their chosen sector. As a practice, we are proud to welcome a new cohort of graduates each year while continuing to support the ongoing work and progression of current Part Is and IIs. As the new academic year begins, we're reflecting on how our young professionals are developing their skills, balancing university commitments with practice, and putting their learning into action across a range of projects.

Joining the team this autumn are three young professionals: Part I Architectural Assistants, Grace Dorling and Katie Gilhespy, and Trainee Architectural Technician, Ollie Broadfoot.

Katie Gilhespy is a Leeds Beckett University graduate with a passion for exploration and cultural architecture. With hands-on experience on a range of exciting projects, including a community centre in Leeds and a school playground in Jinja, Uganda, Katie is eager to apply her skills and develop her professional knowledge in practice. She has joined the education and residential team, working on a range of projects while learning new software and processes. Since leaving university, she has already established herself as a dependable team member.

Also joining as a Part I, Grace Dorling, is a recent graduate from the University of Liverpool who brings a fresh perspective and a deep passion for building heritage. Her interest in architecture began at school, inspired by her love of Art and Geography, and grew during her degree when she joined the RE-Heritage studio. She particularly enjoyed designing a community centre in Lydiate and refurbishing a Grade II listed chapel. Since joining SPACE Architects as a Part I, Grace has quickly settled into the team, contributing to a variety of retail and commercial projects while developing her Revit proficiency and applying the knowledge gained during her studies to practical challenges.

"Our education projects offer a particularly rewarding environment for young professionals to develop their skills alongside experienced colleagues. There’s something quite fitting about learning the profession while helping to design spaces where others will learn.”

Paul Broadfoot
Director, SPACE Architects

Ollie Broadfoot joined SPACE Architects as a Trainee Architectural Technician after a summer break following sixth form. As one of the youngest members of the team, his ambition and enthusiasm for learning fuel his commitment to honing new skills. Through his training, Ollie has gained valuable experience across different areas of the practice, building a strong foundation for his future career. Approaching each task with an innovative mindset, he consistently seeks creative solutions and opportunities to broaden his knowledge, showing how learning and development continue well beyond formal education.

The new academic year is underway, with several young professionals in the practice progressing in their roles, both within the studio and through their individual university studies.

Marking one year as a Part I Architectural Assistant at SPACE Architects, Jack Thornton has made strides in his career. With interests spanning philosophy, fine art and heritage, Jack brings an inquisitive mindset to the team, balancing creativity with considered thinking. He has gained experience across the full range of RIBA work stages and taken responsibility for BIM coordination tasks across projects. Jack is currently contributing to several projects across the North East, including two new-build primary schools. He also took on greater responsibility in the final stages of an adult education refurbishment project and has supported early-stage engagement on nursery and pre-school projects. His growing responsibilities reflect the way experience gained in practice can build on academic foundations and support continued professional development.

Also celebrating a year at SPACE is Lucas Walton, who joined the team in 2025. Lucas has consistently shown an eagerness to expand his architectural knowledge, evolving and gaining confidence as a young professional. Now that he has begun his University studies, he is balancing contributions to the practice with academic progression. During his time at the studio, Lucas has lent his skills to numerous commercial projects, producing detailed feasibility reports and contributing to drawing packages and planning submissions.

Commemorating two years at SPACE Architects are Part I Architectural Assistants Hannah Rolfe and Tom Balsdon, whose experiences demonstrate the different ways academic study and professional practice can inform one another.

Hannah brings a deep passion for architecture and heritage to her role. Now working two days a week at SPACE, she contributes to several commercial projects while studying full-time for her master’s at Newcastle University. Hannah’s university design project is exploring contaminated landscapes as forms of ecological memory through more abstract methods of representation and communication. Alongside her academic research, her experience in practice allows her to see how architectural ideas are developed and translated into real-world projects.

“Welcoming new graduates into the practice is one of the most important things we do. They are not just the future of the profession but they are a vital part of our present. Likewise, it's important that we shed a light on the achievements of the young professionals within the practice, who have already left an indelible mark."

Rob Charlton
CEO of SPACE Architects

Having completed the first year of his Degree Apprenticeship, Tom has begun his two-year thesis project exploring how heritage architecture and contemporary low-embodied-carbon construction can be brought together through the redevelopment of Newcastle's Stephenson Quarter. In practice, he is primarily involved in an education project in Darlington, designed to support STEM learning, which is currently awaiting planning approval. He looks forward to progressing to RIBA Stage 4, developing the technical design, and gaining valuable experience as the project moves forward.

Jade Atkins is a Part I Architectural Assistant and podcast host who has become a familiar and friendly face at SPACE since joining three years ago. She recently completed her dissertation on neighbourhood regeneration, a topic closely aligned with her design project and one that also connects with her work on the recent retail project at Eston Precinct. The project, set to be completed around the first week in November, sensitively celebrates Eston’s rich heritage while creating a vibrant space for future generations. Jade’s detailed drawings are proudly displayed on a plaque outside the precinct, showing the thought process behind the charming brick archways that give the site a unique presence and link back to its industrial past.

With just one year to go before she graduates with her master’s degree, Jade is looking forward to seeing how her design projects develop this academic year. She has also been learning how to use the new laser cutter in the office, continuing to expand her practical skills alongside her university work.

Another well-acquainted member of SPACE team is Charlie Kay. Having progressed from a Part I to Part II during his time with the practice, Charlie recently achieved a distinction in his master’s degree through the Degree Apprenticeship programme at Northumbria University. His design thesis explores a new ‘Urban Commons’ at North Shields Fish Quay, proposing a mixed-use development incorporating an auditorium, community plaza and fishing heritage museum.

Charlie is now working towards his Part III qualification while continuing to contribute to educational projects at SPACE, including Oxbridge Lane Primary School, Durham Academy and Thornhill Academy. His progression so far has been accelerated through gaining valuable experience attending site meetings and talking through problems on site with Contractors. He is particularly proud of his work at the University of Sunderland where he helped navigate some tricky existing site conditions to create a bright and welcoming environment for medical students to learn and work in.

This new semester, the experiences of our young professionals demonstrate that architectural education is not confined to university walls. From applying design concepts to live projects to developing technical skills and pursuing independent research, each stage offers opportunities to learn, reflect and grow.

At SPACE Architects, we're proud to support that journey, helping the next generation of architects and technicians build the confidence and experience they need for a successful future.