Indujah Srikaran has recently joined the planning and architecture team at Sheldon Bosley Knight. Indujah is a newly ARB-registered and RIBA chartered architect, having completed her Part 3 studies at the University of Nottingham in 2022. She has six years’ industry experience working in the architecture sector, previously working in RIBA chartered practices as an architectural assistant whilst working towards her final qualification. She has worked in a wide variety of sectors including residential, commercial, educational, healthcare and conservation. She has co-ordinated projects with clients, stakeholders, consultants, contractors, and regulatory bodies. Helping a diverse range of people to design buildings and problem solving to draw up the perfect solution is what makes her job so interesting.

What is your job title and where are you based?

I am an architect within the company’s planning and architecture team based at Stratford-upon-Avon.

What is your role and what does your job entail? Is there a typical day?

My job includes meeting clients for the first time, discussing architectural opportunities/potential with their buildings/land, measuring existing buildings, understanding scope, budget, design potential, and planning limitations/opportunities and drawing feasibility, planning, and building regulation drawings. On a typical day I visit sites, survey buildings and draw feasibility, planning, and building regulation packages on Autodesk software at the office.

What did you do before joining Sheldon Bosley Knight?

Before this job I worked as an architectural assistant and eventually as an architect at Jonathan Holland Architects, a small RIBA chartered practice in Kenilworth, for almost four years. Before that I worked during my university summer holidays.

How did you get into the property industry and how long have you worked within it?

I have worked within the residential sector for a few years but only entered the property industry in April 2023 when I joined Sheldon Bosley Knight.

What attracted you to working for Sheldon Bosley Knight?

The fact Sheldon Bosley Knight is a multi-disciplinary company where architects and planners can collaborate more directly with each other as well as with other departments such as rural and strategic land was of particular appeal. I was also interested in learning more about the UK planning system/law, specifically areas within permitted development rights and how architects could utilise their design capabilities in these areas. 

What’s the best bit about your job?

Problem solving! Usually there are always many constraints to a project and being able to find a solution that encompasses the requirements for budget, time, quality and design, all whilst working within the complicated world of planning/building laws, is something I find satisfying. It is also great to see a happy client when their brief has been met!

What qualifications or training do you need to do this job?

I have obtained a Part 1 (BA) in Architecture, Part 2 MA(arch) in Architecture and a Part 3 PG(Cert) in Professional Practice in Architecture and am registered with the ARB (Architects Registration Board). There are alternative educational routes to becoming an architect, such as apprenticeships etc, but it is illegal in the UK to practice as an architect without being registered with the ARB.

What motivates you to work hard?

I am passionate about design and the built environment. Seeing the positive results this can bring to peoples’ lives is what motivates me to work hard.

Who or what inspires you?

I am inspired by many female architects such as Zaha Hadid, Minette De Silva and Yasmeen Lari in the industry who push the boundaries and achieve the unimaginable.

What are your career goals?

To become a senior architect and continue professional development.

What do you do when you are not at work?

I enjoy travelling, hiking, reading, writing and anything crafty!

What is the best piece of career advice you have ever been given?

Always see an opportunity.