16 - 10 - 2026
BPTW has transformed its work experience programme for 15–17-year-olds to create an in-depth introduction to architecture for young people within Greenwich, Lewisham, and our project areas.
Spearheaded by Director – Peter Sofoluke and Associate – Frances Abrahamsen, the practice has moved away from scattered individual placements to a consolidated two-week summer programme combing individual project work with structured talks exposing students to the wider built environment.
The model provides dedicated mentors allowing for uninterrupted, focused support and tutorials between staff and students over a longer period. The programme identifies four learning outcomes across the programme through:
>Industry talks
>Design & technical workshops.
>Professional work shadowing and,
>Team / individual project work.
Students were assigned a project brief providing the opportunity to experience several stages within the design process, from the initial site visit and site analysis studies, through to physical and CAD modelling, finally presenting their finished portfolios to an internal panel.
After publicising the programme at the start of the year, BPTW received 47 applications reaching schools across five London Boroughs. After an initial blind application screening process and a short interview, 11 candidates were put forward to participate in the programme, representing 100% global majority.
Analysing the site and context on a visit
With routes into architecture and continual study becoming even more challenging since the reform of Level 7 Apprenticeship entry criteria, BPTW is look at alternative ways to continue to support diverse routes into and through professional training for underrepresented groups.
As the programme ended, it has been enlightening to see this first cohort create a peer network and the practice looks forward to continuing our engagement and support with this group as they embark on the next step in their journey.
Read the thought piece here:
Opening Doors: Rethinking Work Experience at BPTW