New Talent in the AJ100’s ranks brings a fresh take to the UK’s biggest practices

The Architects’ Journal has set itself a challenge to connect with and focus on the future of the profession. We’ve thrown our energy into fighting the climate catastrophe; highlighting the emerging talent in architecture; and championing diverse and compelling voices within the industry. All to effect positive, significant and lasting change.

As part of this drive, we’re delighted to unveil AJ100 New Talent: a celebration of exceptional Part 2 architectural assistants drawn from across the AJ100 practices – showcasing the contributions of those who are at the very start of their architectural journeys.

‘AJ100 New Talent is about championing those who may not always be given the credit they deserve,’ explains AJ deputy architecture editor Fran Williams, who, along with news editor Richard Waite, has spearheaded our New Talent programme. ‘This chimes with the AJ’s current focus on the struggles facing those entering the profession and the need for change – we believe practices have a big responsibility as the incubators that nurture the rising stars who are the future of our profession.’

AJ100 practices were asked to nominate architectural assistants for their standout contributions, whether for their work in their firms or for their activities outside conventional practice. The final New Talent list was then chosen with the help of our wonderful judges Colin Cheng of West Port, University of Edinburgh senior lecturer Suzanne Ewing, PUP director Chloë Leen and Tracy Meller, partner at Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners.

Our compelling list includes Nelton Barbosa, one of the first group of Level 7 architectural apprenticeships at Pollard Thomas Edwards, who combines his work in practice with studies at London South Bank University and champions the opportunities apprenticeships can provide to those who might not otherwise be able to study architecture.

Many others in the New Talent cohort are active in promoting inclusion and diversity, mental wellbeing, net zero solutions and collaborative ways of working. They all bring a fresh take to the biggest practices in the UK, and our congratulations go out to them.

In all, this year’s AJ100 (our special issue is published on Thursday) provides a snapshot of resilience in UK practice in the face of multiple challenges around the pandemic and Brexit. A salient finding from the survey is that the biggest shift in practices’ priorities is to do with the importance they attach to being ‘a good place to work’. The New Talent architectural assistants fit right into that culture shift.

Thanks are due to Bruce Tether, professor of management at the Alliance Manchester Business School at the University of Manchester, who has once more analysed the AJ100 data with aplomb. And to the brilliant Pamela Buxton, our AJ100 project manager, who has worked tirelessly to make the massive AJ100 project – now in its 26th year – such a success. And our thanks to you: the AJ100 practices, our subscribers, sponsors and supporters. There is much new talent to be tapped into, and to learn from. Let’s celebrate it.