Architect - Out of Practice; Uplift

You know the feeling.

You’ve spent months resolving details, coordinating consultants, answering RFI's and trying to protect the design through Stage 4.

Then construction starts.

Decisions accelerate. Details change. Someone else takes over the conversation with the client and contractor.

And the project you’ve lived inside for two years disappears into another eighteen months of delivery.

There is another way to work.

GRØ Careers is working confidentially with an award-winning commercial interiors business in London looking for a Senior Technical Designer - and they are particularly interested in architects coming directly from practice.

We've hired this profile successfully before.

Now they want another.

What Makes This Different

You’ll still do the technical work you’re good at.

Plans. RCP's. Elevations. Sections. Joinery. Partitions. Doors. Finishes. Coordination.

But the feedback loop is much faster.

You might develop a detail on Monday, discuss it directly with the project team on Tuesday, walk it on site later that week and see it built shortly afterwards.

You’re not hidden behind the drawings either.

You’ll work directly alongside designers, Project Managers, commercial teams, technical services specialists, site teams and subcontractors - solving problems together rather than passing information between disciplines.

And you’ll be visible with clients.

What The Role Actually Looks Like

The projects are fast-moving workplace and commercial interior schemes, typically moving through technical design and construction over months rather than years.

Depending on scale, you could be involved across several projects at different stages.

One might need a coordinated Stage 4 package.

Another is already on site and the subcontractor has found a clash.

A third needs a technical solution agreed with the client before it affects programme.

Your role is to understand the design intent, understand the construction reality and make the two work together.

That means:

• Producing and coordinating technical drawing packages
• Owning interior details and packages through delivery
• Coordinating architectural information with MEP, fire, structure and specialist subcontractors
• Reviewing technical submissions and resolving RFI's
• Managing design changes and drawing revisions
• Working closely with PM and commercial teams around programme and buildability
• Attending site and resolving issues directly with contractors and trades
• Communicating technical solutions confidently with clients

This is not a back-room drafting position.

They need someone who can draw, coordinate, communicate and make decisions.

The Person They Want

Technical capability gets you into the conversation.

The rest matters just as much.

They’re looking for someone who is:

Fast.

You’re comfortable making decisions in a fast-paced environment where weeks matter.

Client-facing.

You can explain a technical problem without disappearing into architectural jargon.

A problem solver.

When something clashes on site, your instinct is to find the solution rather than simply flag the problem.

Positive and engaging.

You enjoy working with people. You contribute to the room. Clients, designers and subcontractors find you easy to work with.

You could currently be a:

• Project Architect
• Architect
• Technical Architect
• Senior Architectural Designer
• Interior Architect
• Technical Designer

The title is less important than what you’ve actually done.

What We Need To See

Ideally, your background will include:

• Strong UK project experience across RIBA Stages 3-5
• Workplace, commercial interiors or fit-out projects
• Ownership of substantial technical drawing packages
• Strong detailing and coordination ability
• Direct interaction with contractors and subcontractors
• Experience resolving technical issues during construction
• Confidence…