Why I’m destined to be an Architect

Meet BA (Hons) Architecture student Bradley Fletcher. Bradley knew he wanted to be an Architect from the age of 10. We caught up with him to discuss more about why he loves architecture, why he chose NUA, and what he hopes to contribute to the habitable world once qualifying.

How did you discover Architecture?

My first encounter with phenomenological (the study of structures of consciousness) questions, influencing the architectural conversation, was whilst studying A-Level Geography.

How do you define a space from a place? This question prompted endless debates on whether a place is characterised by emotional connectivity or does the existence of infrastructure fuel the transition.

A seemingly impossible question to comprehend can be somewhat simplified by this analogy:

If you were to travel to the Sahara Desert, the vast expanse of emptiness leaves no social/emotional connection to a specific area – branding it as a space. However, if you were to add a building into the heart of the desert, a place is born, but why?

Why pursue Architecture? 

For reasons I still seek to know, I was ten-years old when I first said I would become an Architect. I have always possessed a core interest in our surroundings – both natural and man-made.

I’m committed to discovering propositions for how the two worlds we live alongside can become married to enhance our connectivity with nature. Mitigating our impact on the planet, whilst protecting and sustaining the precious attributes that makes Earth unique in our universe.

Architecture is the ignition to change.

Why NUA?

Two reasons. Firstly, specialising in the creative industry, the resources are superior. We have up-to-date model making technologies and learning resources that go above and beyond the course requirements.

Secondly, NUA has the reputation of supplying ample opportunities to students; the fact you’re reading this blog today exemplifies such opportunity.

From displaying work at Norwich Forum for first year, to soon be exhibiting a future vision proposal in a Great Yarmouth gallery in second year – NUA allows students work to become recognised and opens the gateway to future careers.

Why do you think architecture is important?

Architectural education lays the foundation (excuse the pun!) to provoking ones inner thoughts and raises philosophical notions only ourselves can unravel.

My interest in Anthropology, more dominantly Zoology, left me puzzled to the purpose of zoos as a recreational activity.

I anticipate all zoos should become a scientific hub of conservation and research, housing wildlife that requires human attention or contributes to conservative efforts only.

Zoos would fund international conservation; inspiring the next generation to preserve and protect.

It lies within these individual ambitions, that our lifelong quest is formed. Who do we want to be?

The above highlights how architectural education encourages you to achieve utopian aspirations, producing innovative designs to accommodate our visions.

Architect’s discoveries today, define the world of tomorrow.

How do you hope to change the world?

With every generation of Architects, you have a responsibility to design innovative solutions to problems some may never even consider. There are still many stones yet to be unturned in the architectural industry, I hope to find some of them.

I aspire to breach normalities of a working environment and hope to reform the white-walled offices we spend majority of our time in, to more natural environments that are a catalyst for inspiration and work efficiency.

I encourage anyone with similar interests in the architectural field to join the quest to discover new stones and bring fresh insights to cities crying out for sustainable regeneration!

You can discover more of Bradley’s architectural work on his Instagram.

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