As a B Corporation, we are deeply committed to making a positive impact – on people, the planet, and the future of our industry. A key part of this commitment is our dedication to nurturing the next generation of architects and designers, fostering an environment where they can thrive, learn, and contribute meaningfully to the built environment.
We recognise that responsibility for shaping the next generation extends beyond individuals – it is embedded within our practice’s culture. Through our Next Generation atelier, we create opportunities for young architects to form connections, share experiences, and navigate their career paths with the support of a collaborative and transparent workplace.
A crucial aspect of our approach is the openness of our practice. Unlike traditional models where project teams may operate in silos, we ensure that resourcing decisions and project operations are fully visible. As an Employee-Owned Trust (EOT), this transparency is vital in helping our team understand how we collectively bring value to the practice and the profession.
Mentorship at shedkm is not a rigid, top-down process but an organic, collective effort. Across the practice, members at all levels actively support junior colleagues, fostering a culture of mutual respect and shared expertise. Bi-weekly Next Generation sessions provide dedicated time for development, but our involvement extends far beyond our office walls.
We actively engage with external programs such as PLACED and Regen Brainery, participate in school career days, and offer mentoring schemes and work experience placements. Through our involvement in industry forums like the BCO, NLA, Footprint, and UKREiiF, we ensure that our team remains connected to broader industry progress. Additionally, our university partnerships – through guest tutoring, mentoring, and assistant roles – provide valuable insights into the experiences of young professionals entering the field.
Physical office design plays a crucial role in fostering integration and learning. Our open-plan seating arrangement ensures that directors, associates, and junior architects sit together, facilitating knowledge-sharing through informal conversations and observation. This structure accelerates professional development, offering junior team members a front-row seat to real-time decision-making and project evolution.
While we embrace the flexibility of remote work, we prioritise an optimal office culture where shared experiences and day-to-day interactions enhance growth. The ability to listen, question, and collaborate in person significantly benefits those in the early stages of their careers.
We also have a long history of mentorship, exemplified by our late founder Dave King, who championed a culture of guidance and support. This legacy continues today in initiatives like our Part III library – updated with every new student passing through – and our collective approach to professional development.
Rather than assigning strict mentor-mentee pairings, we encourage a flexible, practice-wide mentoring culture. As a result, young architects benefit from a diverse range of perspectives, drawing on the expertise of associates, directors, and recently qualified architects as they navigate qualifications and career milestones.
Our collaboration with the Education Atelier ensures that our team remains informed about evolving architectural education, including discussions around apprenticeships and alternative routes to qualification. By leveraging our industry connections, we help our Next Generation group stay ahead of changes and opportunities within the profession.
Our vision for the future includes strengthening our support systems for final architectural qualifications and expanding our engagement with Next Generation groups from other B Corps within our industry. By sharing experiences and best practices, we can continuously improve and refine our approach to fostering the architects of tomorrow.
B Corp Month is a time to celebrate our values, but at shedkm, our commitment to the next generation is a year-round endeavour. Through transparency, mentorship, and meaningful engagement, we will continue to create an inclusive, supportive, and forward-thinking practice.