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Kirsty Dicker: Stories of 2017

This is the first reflection of our Conversations: Stories of 2017 series. Kirsty Dicker is an Architect in our Adelaide studio, leading projects to positively contribute to public life through design in Adelaide. 

 

Those outside the architecture bubble rarely realise that after completing five years of study, including a Bachelor of Design Studies and a Masters of Architecture (or similar), you don’t become an ‘Architect’; you become a ‘Graduate of Architecture’, and could technically retain this title until the day you retire.

The ‘Architect’ title is reserved for those who have not only graduated from the degrees above, but have also logged 3300+ hours of certain architectural competencies, and passed the challenging national examination and interview process.

After working as a Graduate of Architecture at Cox Architecture for six years, I decided that 2017 would be the year that I claimed the Architect title.

For months leading up to the exam, I studied with the support of Cox Architecture and in particular, the individuals who have been through this process before me. I learned a lot more than I had expected and now know that it’s not just about the title, it’s about delivering great architectural outcomes while managing risk, understanding business, and always, ALWAYS, designing in the best interests of the community, not just the client.

I feel more competent having completed the process, and now feel more confident in taking my work to new heights.

The best part about being an Architect (!!) at Cox Architecture is that we get to help shape this beautiful city called Adelaide, which has modernized itself by leaps and bounds in recent years.

This year I have been able to continue my contribution to my hometown, in particular with the Her Majesty’s Theatre Redevelopment, a project to bring the theatre up to national standards, and reclaim her status as Adelaide’s second theatre.

I have also had the opportunity of working on a landmark development in the Adelaide CBD, which we won as a competition in 2016. I have been able to contribute to the development of this project in ways that I have not had the opportunity before and as such has provided me with a new understanding of client liaison, project development, and presentation.

2017 has been a great year for our office and me personally, and with my new title under my belt, I hope to continue making significant contributions to Cox Architecture and the City of Adelaide.