Studio

Working at BCN has given me the chance to take real ownership of my work and develop confidence in my technical & design skills. I’ve learned a lot through hands-on project involvement, constructive feedback and being trusted to solve problems rather than just follow instructions. That trust has made a big difference to my professional growth.

My work involves a mix of drawing, problem solving and coordinating with others to keep projects moving. I’m usually working in ArchiCAD on documentation and details, jumping between projects & checking in with colleagues to resolve issues efficiently. There’s a good balance between focused work and collaborative discussions which keeps things practical and productive.

BCN has a genuinely supportive and collaborative culture. People are approachable, willing to help & respectful of each other’s expertise. Compared to other workplaces, it feels less hierarchical and more team focused. There’s an emphasis on doing good work together rather than ego or unnecessary pressure.

Being part of the BCN team has helped me grow in a hands-on way, especially through being involved in different stages of a project — from early concepts and presentations to technical coordination and site visits. Experiencing the full journey has built my confidence and adaptability. Personally, the open and supportive culture makes it easy to ask questions, share ideas, and learn from the team. It’s reinforced that architecture is the right path for me and shown me the real impact thoughtful design can have on communities.

At BCN, a typical day is a mix of developing designs, coordinating with consultants, attending site meetings, and responding to project queries. There’s also time for team discussions and general admin to keep things moving. It’s collaborative, hands-on, and varied - no two days are the same, and there’s always something new to pick up along the way.

To me, BCN is all about collaboration and connection. It’s an open, supportive, and ego-free environment where ideas flow freely and feedback is welcomed. The culture strikes a great balance, being relaxed yet motivated, and feels welcoming, fun, and fresh.

My time at BCN has been primarily focused on the Oaks Shores project, a full refurbishment of two apartment blocks in Queenstown addressing weathertightness issues. Through this project, I’ve taken on greater leadership responsibilities, particularly in managing consultants and communicating with the client, while deepening my understanding of façade systems and weathertightness standards. The project has been highly active, with continuous discoveries and challenges requiring timely, well-reasoned solutions, which has strengthened my ability to synthesise technical information and make informed recommendations. Overall, working at BCN has helped me grow both professionally and personally by giving me the confidence to take ownership of complex projects and develop practical, solutions-oriented thinking.

In the wider business I'm involved with coordinating project matters with clients, consultants, contractors, and suppliers via email, phone calls, and video conferences, while producing detailed drawings and documentation and managing project timeframes to ensure deliverables are issued on time. During peak stages, I collaborate more closely with the team to review details, address design challenges, and develop practical solutions, keeping all aspects of the project on track.

BCN has a calm and focused office environment, creating the perfect atmosphere for getting work done. At the same time, the team is friendly and approachable, always willing to listen and offer support, whether for work-related challenges or day-to-day matters. There’s also a strong social side to the studio, with colleagues keen to organise outdoor activities and social events. This balance between focused work and an active, supportive culture makes BCN an enjoyable place to work.

My time at BCN has encouraged me to apply myself in an esteemed environment where my efforts and responsibilities are invaluable to my colleagues and our work. I’ve learnt to take responsibility and work together as part of a team to achieve effective and highly productive results.

My work includes producing high quality architectural drawings and documentation through professionally self-guided and directed tasks, discussions with teammates and project leads and collaboration with workmates.

The relationships in our office allow for enhanced development, where through communication, conversation and trust we can achieve the best versions of ourselves. The expertise of my project leads has strengthened me to develop my architectural knowledge and thrive in a supportive environment, where I try to pass on my skills and experience to my peers.