Architecture and interior design thread

Jokez aside, I think they have some good ideas when it comes to decor, it's just the quality of the follow through that's unfortunate.

Also google products that you like (Artemide, Modernica, Fritz Hansen, et cetera) and check what settings they show up in.

to the ones in this thread who are architects in london; what would be a reasonable salary for a graduated intern? my gf (swiss, studied at epfl, done one year of internship in berlin) has an interview on weds and possibly theyll offer her an internship bar a job.
at the riba guidelines are given for "real positions", not internships. hence me asking here

Easy to say from a distance, but the internship culture in architecture is relatively recent and completely awful. 15 years ago (my arbitrary benchmark) it barely existed - I recall us joking about Renzo Piano when we found out it didn't pay. These days it seems any old practice think they can get cheap labour, without even giving you a decent name for your CV. It should be resisted/challenged. Why should any graduate work for free or extremely low pay? At the same time there is always so much talk about 'widening access' to the profession. Such bullshit.

Anyway, apart from the rant. There is no 'reasonable salary' for an intern - the whole point is it's not a proper, livable wage. So if you have the means and you really want the 'job' it could be nothing at all. If you cannot afford that then cost up what you need to survive and have this figure in your head. Otherwise it does not seem to be sustainable. But why should she not ask for a real wage? Especially since she already has work experience (ie. the Berlin internship should be worth something).

yes i know. but its this difficult situation where you are dependant on the system, dont agree with it, but the alternative is much more difficult, and then by doing so, you keep the system intact, but have little other choice because you also need and want to work. i just did a postgrad internship through the leonardo funding system (and got a, albeit meagre, living wage) in berlin and of last week that landed me a job.
its just as a foreigner not that easy since you dont have the contacts through uni/previous work experience if you go somewhere abroad. and if there is a time when you want to go abroad, then it is when youve just graduated.

the good news is though they explicitly advertise with searching for part ii architects for which she qualifies. ive just told her to let them tell what they search for and want to offer. it can only be better then an internship. but if they do offer that, it would be nice to know what to ask for

the italian situation is a special one though. ever seen that graph which shows "one architect per x inhabitants"?. italy is top with from the top of my head 1/220. china has 1/33000. there is way to much competition there, hence they also say there "you do architecture because you either reallyreally love it or have rich parents".
it does have plus sides though, with the academic/theoretical field being very well developed (and for a long time a bit under the scope) with hardcore theoretical stuff like san rocco.

but if they do offer that, it would be nice to know what to ask for

There is no standard - so good to know what minimum means for her - livable wage or less than livable for a limited amount of time? She should decide beforehand and be clear on this if the question arises, or if she is offered less than that, counter it. If she is asked outright, go with livable wage. If she is offered something lower, respond with both livable wage and also the time she could afford to work at the lower wage (if at all). Is she already in London, or are you? So you have an idea of finances. Otherwise it is quite difficult for others to guess, mostly depends on rent. (In another thread someone did ask what is minimum livable wage for london, and the answers were highly varied... On phone but maybe you can search for it).

There really is no point taking work you cannot afford to do. It doesn't matter if the next person can afford to.

of last week that landed me a job.

Congratulations! So you're stuck in Berlin for a while longer? Are you getting paid properly now?

they explicitly advertise with searching for part ii architects for which she qualifies.

Having reread your post - why do you think they might offer her internship? If they are advertising for Part IIs, they presumably have the money for them. If they are concerned about her lack of UK experience they should be offering her lower end of a Part II or possibly Part I wage. But many London practices have a healthy number of foreigners.

jep and jep.

im even "my name msc - architektur und staedtebau kleinunternehmen" from now on.
its freelance but as previously stated thats actually quite interesting tax wise.
and i like the idea of having a "company", but a "job" with the perks of that is still the aim of the future. i have too a small network and experience or actually specific qualities that i can make it a durable thing. at least in germany... but lets see aye?!

well, since she applied with "looking for employment or internship" and after setting an interview date, was hesitant to ask for more specifics as to what positions they are looking for people.
the "part ii or i" was actually added after she agreed on the date. but she now knows and can play it out.
and she got another interview offered just this afternoon, so if all goes well she can chose the one with the best conditions...

ahh i havent said before actuslly because that post is in hyperspace somewhere.
it is interesting because if i stay under a certain amount of "umsatz" per year i do not pay tax. which means i can save and actually do stuff for myself/competition/travel for the last two months of the tax year because otherwise ild be working those months for the taxman..

There is no standard - so good to know what minimum means for her

All RIBA chartered practices are required to pay assistant architects at least minimum wage however, and most practices worth their salt are chartered.

@Rodolfo started his query with

at the riba guidelines are given for "real positions", not internships. hence me asking here

Practices "worth their salt" should not offer internships to graduates, at all.

I agree. Glad we cleared that up.

and she got another interview offered just this afternoon, so if all goes well she can chose the one with the best conditions...

The good thing is in my experience there seems to be plenty of work out there, so if she's got the ability she should be able to find a properly paid job. If we have any graduate positions come up soon I'll give you a heads up.

http://www.houzz.co.uk is kind of like Pinterest but for houses. Would recommend.

Yes! (See my earlier rant...)

This looks like a very good, very suitable move, and particularly because it could save Smithfield:

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/museum-of-london-going-ahead-with-70m-move-to-smithfield-10138884.html

Hope they manage to pull it off.

heads up re:gf.

she got a job with one of the offices. is in the plane as we speak and will start tomo.

wellthatescalatedquickly.meme

as part ii, with salary in the highest category of riba guidelines for part ii.
i guess you need that in landaaan anyway.

Congrats.

Great stuff, well done and how she enjoys it!

Christ Almighty.

^ new user name?