Narrative Practice

"I mentor because I know what it’s like to not have access to guidance in a field that feels out of reach. Growing up, I didn’t have the financial stability or professional networks that could make architecture seem attainable." Architect Dhruv Gulabchande, has been part of the Arts Emergency network for several years and has volunteered as a mentor three years in a row! We asked him some questions about his route in to the industry, what his advice would be for anyone interested in a career in architecture and why he thinks mentoring is important. Read the full interview 👉 https://lnkd.in/ebcrUQSY

[NP Sessions / 7th February] Temple Bar London will kindly be hosting the first mentoring evening of 2025! 🙏🏽 Join us for in-person mentoring, an office tour, and networking. Perfect for young creatives from underrepresented backgrounds to discuss design projects, portfolios, CVs, or simply chat about the built environment. Search ‘Sessions Mentoring’ on Eventbrite or click the link in bio to book your spot. Huge thanks to Lucy Bullivant PhD Hon FRIBA and Grant Smith at Temple Bar for supporting this event! — Narrative Practice is an award-winning mentoring platform focused on promoting diversity in the built environment. Sessions is its flagship programme, providing short- and long-term mentoring to underrepresented young professionals. NP has engaged with over 815 individuals and earned recognition from the Architects’ Journal, RIBA, and the Thornton Education Trust for their work. Best, @Dhrxv & the Sessions Team 🙏🏽 #MentoringMatters #WorkplaceMentoring #Mentoring #DesignReview #ArchitectureResearch #UrbanDesign #LandscapeDesign #TransportDesign #DiversityinBuiltEnvironment #EDI #CPD #ContinuingProfessionalDevelopment #DiversityInArchitecture #Diversity #InclusionMatters #GenderEquality #WomenLeaders #DesignDiversity #EmpoweringYouth RIBA RIBA London

Last week Piercy&Company kindly hosted our first mentoring evening of 2025! 🙏🏽 We hosted 24 young creatives from underrepresented backgrounds for an evening of mentoring, informal networking, and an insightful office tour by Arinjoy Sen. It was brilliant to see their studio space reimagined as a place of learning, collaboration, and opportunity. Evening led by NP Mentor Emily Cater 🙏🏽 Huge thanks to Carolina De Jesus, Cliona Gallagher, Arinjoy Sen, Eleanor Evason, Daria Drahilieva, Alexander Jackson, Callum Perry, Martino Bonfioli, Stuart Piercy and Harry Bucknall at P&Co for supporting the event! Additionally, we extend our gratitude to; Hammad Haider from Foster + Partners and, of course, our fantastic Narrative Practice team. — Narrative Practice is an award-winning mentoring platform focused on promoting diversity in the built environment. Sessions is its flagship programme, providing short- and long-term mentoring to underrepresented young professionals. NP has engaged with over 815 individuals and earned recognition from the Architects’ Journal, RIBA, and the Thornton Education Trust for their work. Best, Dhruv & the Sessions Team 🙏🏽 #MentoringMatters #WorkplaceMentoring #Mentoring #DesignReview #ArchitectureResearch #UrbanDesign #LandscapeDesign #TransportDesign #DiversityinBuiltEnvironment #EDI #CPD #ContinuingProfessionalDevelopment #DiversityInArchitecture #Diversity #InclusionMatters #GenderEquality #WomenLeaders #DesignDiversity #EmpoweringYouth

[NP Sessions / 16th January] Piercy&Company will kindly be hosting the first mentoring evening of 2025! 🙏🏽 Join us for in-person mentoring, an office tour, and networking. Perfect for young creatives from underrepresented backgrounds to discuss design projects, portfolios, CVs, or simply chat about the built environment. Search ‘Sessions Mentoring’ on Eventbrite or click the link below to book your spot. www.narpr.co Huge thanks to Carolina De Jesus and Harry Bucknall at P&Co for supporting this event! — Narrative Practice is an award-winning mentoring platform focused on promoting diversity in the built environment. Sessions is its flagship programme, providing short- and long-term mentoring to underrepresented young professionals. NP has engaged with over 800 individuals and earned recognition from the Architects' Journal, RIBA, and the Thornton Education Trust for their work. Best, Dhruv & the Sessions Team 🙏🏽 #MentoringMatters #WorkplaceMentoring #Mentoring #DesignReview #ArchitectureResearch #UrbanDesign #LandscapeDesign #TransportDesign #DiversityinBuiltEnvironment #EDI #CPD #ContinuingProfessionalDevelopment #DiversityInArchitecture #Diversity #InclusionMatters #GenderEquality #WomenLeaders #DesignDiversity #EmpoweringYouth RIBA RIBA London

NP | Our Year in Review 2024 As we approach the end of the year, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate everything we’ve achieved together in 2024 — a fantastic year of mentoring and academic success, all thanks to your support! From hosting impactful Sessions with incredible practices to launching our new website and gaining recognition in the Architects’ Journal and as a RIBAJ Rising Stars, this year has been a collective effort. Wishing you a safe, restful, and happy holiday season. Thank you for being part of this journey, and I’ll see you in the New Year! Best, Dhruv & the NP Team 🙏🏽 Sarah Bass Adam Tarasewicz Emily Cater George Aboagye Williams Evana Ahamed Chirag Desai Elena Slezaite Luis Rojas-Paipilla Yasmin Freeman Joseph R. Goodwin Parisa S. sarmad suhail Elliott Wang Semi Han Luxmi Nanthakumar Mayce Arebi Freddie Bunoan Aleluya Maria Christodoulou Yara Taha  Rebecca Fish Niraj Shah Karen Young Hammad Haider Jerry Florez Jim Pope #MentoringMatters #DiversityInArchitecture #EDI #InclusionMatters #WomenLeaders #DesignDiversity #EmpoweringYouth

We are looking for Part 1 & 2 Architectural Assistants and experienced Part 3 Architects. For more info and how to apply, please follow the links below. Part 1: https://lnkd.in/ekFJg5YN Part 2: https://lnkd.in/egSyu9Cr Part 3: https://lnkd.in/ehzw4Jmj

Finalist for the Emerging Individual of the Year Award! Dhruv: “Incredibly grateful to be recognised amongst individuals and initiatives doing such meaningful work. A big thank you to the TET (ThorntonEducationTrust) judges — it’s been a busy end to the year with lots of wonderful collaborations and research being completed along the way — so this really means a lot! A heartfelt thank you to Joseph R. Goodwin for the nomination and extremely kind words, to the mentees for their constant trust in the programme, and to the Narrative Practice team, including all the Practice Mentors who’ve worked with us to make our initiative so successful. Looking forward to celebrating with everyone on January 13th at The Building Centre! 🙏🏽” #MentoringMatters #DiversityInArchitecture #EDI #InclusionMatters #WomenLeaders #DesignDiversity #EmpoweringYouth

We’re Hiring: Design-Led Architect. Do you care deeply about the future of housebuilding? Are you passionate about creating tight-knit mixed-use profitable neighbourhoods where everyone can thrive? We are looking for an experienced designer to join our team and help shape the future of our practice. Ash Sakula is looking for a bold, proactive team member to join our agile, creative studio in London. If you’re enthusiastic, politically minded, and ready to bring fresh ideas to a forward-thinking architecture studio, please read on. About the Role: This multi-faceted studio-based role blends urban design knowledge, social creativity, technical expertise, and strategic thinking. You’ll contribute to master planning, architectural design, and visual communication daily, using new materials and your interest in emerging technologies to create innovative solutions. Your deep understanding of the UK’s housing politics and development economics will guide projects that challenge the status quo while delivering impactful results. What We’re Looking For: - A qualified architect or experienced Part 2 with at least 3 years post-masters experience at all job stages. - A proven track record in visual narration and storytelling. Excellent communication skills – verbal, written, interpersonal, and visual. - A confident self-starter who thrives in a ‘just do it’ culture, where initiative and learning from mistakes are valued. - Tech-savvy, with proficiency in AI technologies and a readiness to learn new tools on the fly. A strong grasp of emerging technologies and their applications in architecture, design, and their environmental impact. - A passion for creating architecture at micro and macro scales, drawing up and imagining neighbourhoods that reflect and enhance car-light, people first, local economy boosting diverse lifestyles. - A team player with a collaborative mindset, focus, and assertiveness. What We Offer: Ash Sakula is an agile and self-directed studio committed to shaping the future of housing and architecture. We embrace personal goals and interests, offering the freedom to explore ideas that align with the practice’s vision. To apply, email info@ashsak.com with both your name and “Joining Ash Sakula in 2025” as the subject. Please indicate your ideal start date and salary expectations and availability for in-person interviews in your message. Applications close 6th January 2025. We’ll be in touch with shortlisted candidates by 13th January 2025.

Earlier this month, Stanton Williams generously hosted our latest Sessions event! We hosted 40 young creatives from underrepresented backgrounds for an evening of mentoring, informal networking, and an insightful office tour. It was fantastic to see their studio space reimagined as a place of learning, collaboration, and opportunity. — Thank you again to Maz Weineck, Danielle Noble, Ali Abbas and Alexandra Learmonth for making the event possible, and to the wonderful Stanton Williams mentors — Barbara Clark, Nick Sinden, Ben Yeates, Tom Shell, Anne Fehrenbach, Marie Abela, Nieves Valle, Stephen Setford, Ismael Heras and Patrick Richard — for their invaluable support. Additionally, we extend our gratitude to; Hammad Haider from Foster + Partners; Jim Pope from Kilburn Nightingale Architects Ltd; Aditi Agrawal from HFM; Grisilda Kalci from Fathom Architects Joe Slatter from studio enemy as well as Shazia Dhalla and Yara Taha and, of course, our fantastic Narrative Practice team. — NP: Since March 2020, we have engaged with over 800 individuals, and it’s partnerships like these that keep our community growing. Best, Dhruv & the Sessions Team 🙏🏽 #MentoringMatters #DiversityInArchitecture #EDI #InclusionMatters #WomenLeaders #DesignDiversity #EmpoweringYouth

Showing Up and Building Real Connections Matters! Over the past 2 months, I attended 6 networking/mentoring events, and each one has been a valuable learning experience. Here’s a snapshot of what I gained: • 23 Oct: dRMM Open Studio Career advice and job application insights from Regina Kertapati and Elle Thompson • 30 Oct: WW+P Architects Design Technology User Group Updates on Revit and Rhino applications in design and construction from industry speakers • 7 Nov: Levitt Bernstein x Narrative Practice (NP) Session Portfolio review with Kimbo Fidelo Sito, focusing on showcasing my contributions to professional projects • 13 Nov: Erect Architecture Open Studio Sharing and refining my design values with Cherng-Min Teong and Alfie Gurtler • 21 Nov: Civic Engineers x NP Session Tailored CV and cover letter tips with Evana Ahamed, Pakyin Lee, and Jakub Bodio, plus job search insights from Hammad Haider & Mayce Arebi • 5 Dec: Stanton Williams x NP Session Portfolio and CV review with Mayce Arebi, who helped me express my identity as a designer and present my projects more effectively Special thanks to Dhruv Gulabchande (Narrative Practice) and Sana Tabassum for organising these invaluable mentoring sessions and open studio events - they’ve made a real difference for graduates like me! I’m also grateful to the mentors and peers who shared their time, guidance, and insights during these sessions. Job applications can be challenging, but platforms like these provide huge support for young professionals entering the industry. On that note, I’m actively seeking Part 2 roles and would greatly appreciate any leads or opportunities! (Photo credit to NP Dhruv Gulabchande and Yara Taha)