{"id":757902,"date":"2024-10-09T06:01:07","date_gmt":"2024-10-09T05:01:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/?p=757902"},"modified":"2024-10-09T10:41:34","modified_gmt":"2024-10-09T09:41:34","slug":"architectural-mentor-7-narrative-practice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/news\/architectural-mentor-7-narrative-practice","title":{"rendered":"Architectural mentor 7: Narrative Practice"},"content":{"rendered":"

Narrative Practice<\/a> is an architectural mentoring and research platform with the main objective of improving diversity and representation.<\/p>\n

Who are you and why did you start this\u00a0initiative?<\/strong><\/em>
\nWe are a non-profit architectural mentoring and research platform founded in March 2020 by myself, Dhruv Gulabchande. We set it up in response to the challenges posed by the pandemic. Our mission has since evolved to create a supportive community for women, individuals with disabilities, and those from Black, Asian, and Global Majority Ethnicity backgrounds, offering a space where they can discuss their aspirations and challenges as they navigate their careers in the built environment.<\/p>\n

What are your organisation\u2019s core\u00a0objectives?<\/strong><\/em>
\nTo improve diversity and representation within the profession through mentoring support. We\u2019re looking to break down barriers and create opportunities for young people by providing them with the guidance and resources needed to do well in their careers. We want to ensure they have a space to engage with like-minded mentors who have succeeded in their careers despite facing similar challenges.<\/p>\n

Are you volunteer-led?<\/strong><\/em>
\nWe are entirely volunteer-led. We rely on the generous contributions of time and expertise from our mentors. Their dedication is the backbone of Narrative Practice, allowing us to offer high-quality, personalised support to each of our mentees.<\/p>\n

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Mentoring at Fletcher Priest Architects (photo: Jane Lam)<\/p>\n\t

<\/p><\/p><\/div>\n

Do you partner with any other organisations?<\/strong><\/em>
\nOur practice supporters include Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Stanton Williams, and Arup, We also work with the RIBA, RIAS, a number of universities around the world, and a large number of other organisations including Decolonise Architecture<\/a>, Temple Bar Trust, City of London, Black Females in Architecture<\/a>, Neurodiversity Architecture Network<\/a>, Arts Emergency and the London Festival of Architecture.<\/p>\n

What kind of programmes do you run and which has been the most successful?<\/strong><\/em>
\nOur flagship programme, Sessions, offers short and long-term mentoring, helping mentees gain practical advice, career guidance and personal development support. Since March 2020, Sessions has engaged with over 700 individuals globally, making it one of our most successful initiatives.<\/p>\n

As well as mentoring, we have several research programmes on the go. Next Generation Mentoring promotes architecture as a career path for students from underrepresented backgrounds in London boroughs. Sessions School EPQ provides a platform for disadvantaged young people to express their creativity and develop communication skills. Form: Work Experience Framework guides 14-to-18-year-olds from underrepresented backgrounds through professional career insights and hands-on workshops. These programmes have been particularly effective in reaching disadvantaged groups and sparking interest in architecture.<\/p>\n

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Mentoring at AHMM (photo: Yara Taha)<\/p>\n\t

<\/p><\/p><\/div>\n

Which achievements are you most proud\u00a0of?<\/strong><\/em>
\nWinning the Diversity in Action award at the Thornton Education Trust (TET) 2023 Inspire Future Generations Awards. Since then, we have contributed to its ENGAGE Toolkit<\/a>, which offers best-practice guidance for practices looking to engage with mentoring and diversity.<\/p>\n

How does your work stand out from other outreach programmes in the\u00a0industry?<\/strong><\/em>
\nOur sustained monthly mentorship, lasting over four and a half years, offers a continuity that many other programmes cannot, reinforcing our commitment to providing long-term, meaningful support.<\/p>\n

What improvements would you like to see in the architecture industry?<\/strong><\/em>
\nThe integration of regular mentoring support into architectural education. Over multiple years of academic teaching, we have informally piloted this approach at several institutions, and the results have shown that additional mentoring significantly enhances students\u2019 experiences and outcomes.<\/p>\n

What advice do you give your students who are thinking of pursuing a career in the built environment?<\/strong><\/em>
\nBe open to exploration and experimentation. Architecture thrives on innovation, so why not embrace individuality and express unique perspectives? We encourage students to take risks and push boundaries in their designs as this is how they will develop their own voice as architects. We also stress the importance of building strong relationships with mentors and peers.<\/p>\n

Questions answered by Narrative Practice’s founder Dhruv Gulabchande<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Narrative Practice is an architectural mentoring and research platform with the main objective of improving diversity and representation. Who are you and why did you start this\u00a0initiative? We are a non-profit architectural mentoring and research platform founded in March 2020 by myself, Dhruv Gulabchande. 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