Living the high lifeCIAT's Highest Graduating Student Award honours students from each of the Institute'sAccredited Architectural Technology Honours degree programme who have been selectedby their course leader as the highest achievers in their year. Dorota Fitzpatrick,Membership and Education Assistant meets some of this year's students and finds outwhy they chose their career path and what inspires and motivates them.8 ATSEPTEMBER/OCTOBER2011Jason BraithwaiteNorthumbria UniversityMy attraction towards studying ArchitecturalTechnology was not just because of my interestin construction and how buildings are built, butbecause I felt that the discipline has afundamental role in the architectural design team.The Architectural Technology professional's roletranslating design into construction, or beingable to turn a concept into a reality, is verypowerful and this appealed to me. I was delighted to have chosen to study atNorthumbria University. Their innovative degreeprogramme and superb teaching staff inspired,motivated and most importantly taught me whatit means to be a design professional and what isrequired of me as a graduate ArchitecturalTechnologist. I am also very grateful for my yearout work experience where I was able to improvemy technical and architectural design skills. In five years time, I hope to have become aChartered Member and be working in a seniorposition where I can further exercise mytechnical competence. I also hope that theindustry embraces Building InformationModelling as I look forward to using it as part ofa collaborative design team.Jason BrittinLondon South BankUniversityStudying for a degree in ArchitecturalTechnology has been such an exciting andrewarding experience. I trained as a carpenter 21years ago and since then worked in the industrybut have always wanted to become involved inthe design and technology of buildings. At the age of 36 the thought of returning toeducation was daunting however studying atLondon South Bank University helped to make itboth inspiring and enjoyable. My goal now is tobecome a Chartered Member and to join fellowmembers in progressing the status of ourprofession and to deliver an excellent service toour clients. I am really keen to see the how BuildingInformation Modeling will affect all levels of theindustry and in particular how ArchitecturalTechnology professionals can make use of thisdevelopment. I could not have achieved my goal without helpfrom my wife and without the support of fellowcolleagues and lecturers, so my thanks goes tothem. Ajai Chohan University of West LondonMy interest in architecture started when I wasnine years old when I helped my father build anextension to our house. From that pointonwards, I knew that I wanted to work inarchitecture.At first, studying Architectural Technology camewith difficulties, without much backgroundknowledge of the subject it was hard to visualisewhat drawings symbolised and how they relatedto real life structures; but from reading andresearch I grew more confident with thefundamental concepts needed and from these Ibuilt and expanded my knowledge. In my final year, I represented my university inthe CIAT Student Award for TechnicalExcellence. It gave me a huge sense ofachievement - something I will never forget.After graduating I was put forward for aninternship opportunity working as anArchitectural Technology professional in China.It is an opportunity I intend to grab with bothhands and hope to make it a long term role. Myaim for the future is to become a SeniorArchitectural Technologist, become involved inproperty developing and open my ownarchitectural practice.EDUCATION

Lachlan CrawfordCoventry UniversityThe primary reason for me taking theArchitectural Design Technology degree atCoventry University was to give greaterbackground knowledge for the work I do in thetechnical department at Ayrshire Metal ProductsLtd (a leading cold rolled steel manufacturer). Istudied the course on a day release basis whilststill working full time; as such there was quite achallenge in balancing work, study and socialactivities. I did, however, receive ample supportfrom my employer, lecturers and CIAT toovercome these issues and ensure I was able toachieve my best.The programme of work on the course was veryinteresting with a good mixture of technical andbackground modules. In particular I enjoyedapplying the skills learnt to design projects onreal sites within Coventry using multiple drawingpackages (AutoCAD and Revit) alongside somemanual drawing to visualise the designs. It wasalso very interesting seeing how all the differentaspects of construction are integrated toproduce a successful building.John DaviesPembrokeshire CollegeI have always had a keen interest in architectureand the building industry. After finishingsecondary education I trained as a builder aftersecuring an apprenticeship within the publicsector. I gained a wealth of practical knowledge,experience and skills working within this capacity.During employment as a builder within the NHS,I enrolled on the HNC Computer AidedArchitectural Technology programme (CAAT).This opened a window of opportunity for me.My career progressed and I was fortunateenough to join the team as a senior architecturaltechnician within a private architectural practice- Pembroke Design Ltd based in Haverfordwest,Pembrokeshire. They supported my learning andI went on to a Foundation degree inArchitecture. Still eager and determined, Ienrolled on the BSc (Hons) ArchitecturalTechnology programme. After almost 11 years striving to maintain abalance of home, work and study, I graduatedthis year from Pembrokeshire College (affiliatedwith the University of Glamorgan) with theOutstanding Graduating Student Award inArchitectural Technology accreditation, and theHighest Graduating Student Award inArchitectural Technology from CIAT.CIAT was an invaluable resource tool and alwayskept me up to date and well informed on therelevant subject matter of our ever-changingindustry.Jason Hull De Montfort University,LeicesterThe choice to undertake an ArchitecturalTechnology degree was made during my secondyear of A-levels. The main reason I choseArchitectural Technology over an architecturecourse was because I believe that students gain agreat deal more knowledge than someone on thesame level on an architecture course.The programme itself was very beneficial as ittaught me all of the basics for me to become aChartered Architectural Technologist in thefuture. Throughout my degree, CIAT has aidedmy education in a number of ways, by sendingme information about what is happening in theindustry through the weekly Enewsletter,allowing my practical knowledge to expand andbeing available to contact whenever I neededinformation regarding my programme or theindustry. On my programme I was lucky enoughto obtain a number of awards, for each of thethree years of the degree I received an award forbest student. Since completing the course, I amnow currently employed and on my way tobecoming Chartered, which I hope to achieve inthe next few years.Paras MakwanaUniversity of Wales Institute,CardiffI have always been interested in civil engineeringbut also have a passion for architecture. Afterdoing some research and going to universityopen days as well as taking advice from CIAT, Iconcluded that Architectural Design Technologywas for me. Since completing the ADTprogramme at UWIC I have no regrets about thechoice I made. I really enjoyed the course butmade sure my undergraduate study was backedwith credible work experience, which helpeddevelop my professional skills. Even now inpractice I am always learning and try to keep upto date with industry news. Since graduation Iam now employed by Powell Dobson architectsand working my way up to a senior position.Having CIAT behind your back certainly helps,as it provides you with professional standards,which can make you, stand out from the crowd. My advice to students who wish to start a careerin ADT is to be on your toes as the industry isalways changing therefore you must keeplearning even after your studies.Paul SleeThe University of Salford As a mature student who changed his career toArchitectural Technology, being awarded theHighest Graduating Student Award helpsconfirm this was the correct decision. I wasdrawn to Architectural Technology as it linksdesign, building technology and problem solvingin a recognised career. Undertaking the degreeprogramme at the University of Salford was agood decision due to its reputation andEDUCATIONAT SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER20119