Kyle, one of our talented Arnold Foundation students at Rugby School, recently had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience at the Bilton Grange boarding house construction site through Stepnell Ltd. With aspirations to become an architect or pursue a career in the design and build industry, Kyle was introduced to professionals on site, gaining valuable insights into project management, architectural planning, and the complexities of construction. Kyle tells us a bit more about his experience below: 

My experience at the boarding house construction site at Bilton Grange was hugely important to me as it has helped solidify my aspiration to become an architect or pursue another role within the design and build world. Through the Arnold Foundation, and by voicing my interest in this career, I was introduced to both Beard Construction and Stepnell Ltd, who kindly allowed me to visit their site and speak to the Site Manager and the Architect.

I first had lunch with Natasha Heritage, who works for Stepnell Ltd, and was able to discuss my interests, along with how she found her way into her own career. Not only was this insightful and helped me feel less pressure regarding university choices, but it also led to a day on the construction site to gain first-hand experience.

When I first arrived at the site, I was introduced to the Site Manager and the Lead Architect working on the project. Once we had become acquainted, they led me on a tour around the site, providing context to certain features and explaining how they came about, including why they might have changed, how communication between the clients and contractors works, and the general process of designing and constructing a building. What stood out to me was the long and complex process involved, with many parts and issues to address before the building stage. Another aspect that particularly struck me was how no two days on site are ever the same; this means that no matter what jobs you are assigned, there will always be new challenges and issues to resolve. This unpredictable nature of the industry is exciting and, although stressful in some cases, it adds a layer of mystery to each day which greatly appeals to me.

By the end of the tour, I had learned more intricate details about what this industry involves, providing me with a much clearer insight into what working in this field entails. We then looked at architectural drawings of certain aspects of the building, such as a room layout or a floor plan, as well as small details like joinery in the roof or vent layouts. Repeatedly, this further insight into the niche details of the industry has only helped to clarify my decision regarding my future career, and has furthered my passion to work in this field and pursue becoming an architect specifically.

Kyle, Arnold Foundation Student at Rugby School