DMA

During the Easter school holidays we have had some brilliant students join the DMA Virtual Design Academy through PLACED, the Liverpool-based social enterprise that helps people to engage in planning and design through community consultation, engagement and education. Our award-winning, 5-day, structured work experience programme engages young people from a wide range of backgrounds through digital design, using an online sharing platform combined with office-based experience, and equips them with highly relevant digital design skills. Additionally, this time round we were lucky enough to have the insight of the Walker Sime project management team to share the role they play in the construction industry.

During the week, students designed a house on a pre-chosen site for their chosen client with space for living and working. They produced a design report for their site, outlining their approach to design, design development and their final design with technical drawings and a Computer 3D model, having learnt how to use the relevant digital design programmes. They were mentored throughout by the DMA Liverpool team and, at the end of the week, they presented their scheme to their mentors, the wider DMA team and each other.

We’ve received some great feedback from the students;

“This week I’ve learnt to navigate and feel more confident using new industry standard software, as well as designing a building and seeing the project through from initial to final design. This not only taught me new skills that will be useful moving forward in university, but also gave me an invaluable insight into the career in practice and how that looks day to day. It has been fascinating learning what the team do, and they collaborate on projects together, which differs from what I previously experienced at university and my perception of architecture. The VDA has definitely made me more confident in more ways than one, from presenting my work to engaging with professionals in a wider office dynamic, and I would recommend it as a good way of seeing what the true role of an architect is, especially to those starting out in the architectural education process.”
(Diya, Year 1 Architecture, University of Liverpool)

“I am surprised about how much I learned in such a short period of time. I feel it is invaluable to have such close contact with so many practicing architects and the contacts and connections going forward into the future. I was also happily surprised that an architecture company was willing to allow young people access to their practice in a way that helps them learn about the industry which I’m sure other practices wouldn’t have the time to do. I will definitely add this project and my experience when applying for architecture assistant part 1 next year.”
(Alice, Year 3 Architecture, University of Huddersfield)

You can hear from other students of our Virtual Design Academy here, and feel free to contact Jessica Hardy at j.hardy@david-miller.co.uk to find out how to take part.