Double celebrations as Ellen and Jaimie complete their Part 3 qualifications
We’re delighted to celebrate a fantastic achievement for two members of the S+SA team, as Ellen and Jaimie have both successfully completed their Part 3 examinations and are now eligible to register as Architects.
It’s a significant milestone in any architect’s career, and one that represents years of study, hard work and gaining experience in practice. We’re incredibly proud of both Ellen and Jaimie and the contribution they’ve already made to the S+SA team.
Jaimie’s journey into architecture
Jaimie’s route into architecture began at Leeds Beckett University, where he completed his BA(Hons) in Architecture. During his second year, he spent time studying at Università Iuav di Venezia through the Erasmus programme, before joining S+SA, where he spent two years gaining experience in practice.
He then returned to university to complete his MArch in Architecture at the University of Sheffield, graduating with distinction. Throughout his Master’s, Jaimie continued to work at S+SA during the summer breaks before returning to the practice full-time in September 2025.
Alongside working at S+SA, Jaimie completed his Part 3 qualification at the University of Newcastle, successfully completing the course in September 2026.
Since returning to the practice, Jaimie has worked across a range of sectors and has become a key part of our sustainability team, with a particular interest in sustainable initiatives and retrofit.
Inspired by the places around him
Growing up on the doorstep of Hardwick Hall and Chatsworth House, it’s no surprise that historic buildings played an early role in inspiring Jaimie’s interest in architecture.
His favourite project at S+SA so far has been the Bonny View residential scheme, while his university work has also had a strong influence on his interests.
His second-year Master’s thesis, Learning From the Land, explored how phytoremediation could help repair damaged landscapes in Derbyshire, a subject with a personal connection to the area around his family home. The project also explored how architecture schools themselves could evolve and improve.
Looking ahead, Jaimie is keen to continue working on sustainable initiatives and retrofit projects, particularly exploring how existing buildings can be adapted and given a new purpose.
He is also keen to develop his experience working with domestic clients. For Jaimie, the personal relationship that develops with clients on these projects is a big part of what architecture is about – creating or reimagining spaces that people genuinely love.
The importance of communication
When asked what advice has stayed with him throughout his career, Jaimie highlighted something that goes beyond technical ability:
“You’ll naturally focus on improving your drawing and technical skills as you go, those do matter of course, but the real challenge is effectively communicating your ideas.”
It’s a sentiment that rings particularly true in a profession where architects work with so many different people, from clients and consultants to contractors and communities.
His advice to those starting out? Architecture is a hugely multifaceted profession, so stick with it, read around the subject and make the most of the people around you for advice and guidance.
And if architecture hadn’t worked out? Jaimie says he has always loved travelling, so becoming a pilot could have been an option – although more realistically, he thinks he would have ended up as a project manager or in another role within the construction industry.
Ellen’s apprenticeship journey
Ellen joined S+SA in June 2024 as a degree apprentice, studying for her Master’s in Architecture part-time at Northumbria University while working as an Architectural Assistant.
Taking the apprenticeship route meant balancing university alongside the demands of working in practice, giving Ellen the opportunity to develop her academic knowledge and practical experience at the same time.
During her time at S+SA, Ellen has become particularly involved in our residential and care sector projects, taking on increasing responsibility and becoming a key point of contact for clients. She’s also a familiar face at networking events and has brought plenty of fresh ideas to our team activities.
Finding inspiration in practical experience
Ellen’s interest in architecture was sparked early on through work experience, where she worked on a housing project within an old industrial area of Newcastle.
Her favourite projects since then have included her Part 2 thesis, which explored a new self-build community facility, as well as a number of sports club projects.
For Ellen, one of the biggest lessons from combining university and practice has been the value of practical experience – something that can bring a completely different perspective to the academic side of architecture.
As her career develops, Ellen is particularly interested in exploring sports and leisure projects and civic buildings, building on the experience she has already gained across residential and care.
Her advice to those starting their architectural careers is to seek out as broad a range of experience as possible, particularly across different RIBA stages and project sectors.
And if she hadn’t chosen architecture? Ellen thinks she might have become a teacher, or pursued something outdoors, such as landscape architecture or ecology.
Two very well-deserved achievements
Although Ellen and Jaimie have taken different routes into architecture, both have combined education with valuable experience in practice, and both have shown a real commitment to developing their careers.
We’re incredibly proud to have them both as part of the S+SA team and look forward to seeing where their careers take them next.
Congratulations Ellen and Jaimie – a very well-deserved achievement!