Andy has become a regular face at the Exchange over the last couple of months, so I decided to find out a little bit more about him last week:
Hi Andy, could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’ve been living in Birmingham for ten years, currently over in Selly Park. I’ve been working as an Architect and in the construction industry for about fourteen years now, in private practice for the majority of those years, and in the last 6 months have decided to set up my own practice. I’m currently in discussions with a colleague about forming a partnership but we haven’t launched that yet.
As an Architect I’ve spent the last 8 years in a private practice in the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham and built up a good relationship with a wide range of clients. The majority of my experience has been in education where I’ve been designing new buildings and refurbishments for schools, colleges and universities. I’ve also had considerable experience in the residential sector together with a variety of commercial and retail projects. Currently my main focus is picking up on the contacts I’ve made over the last 8 years in private practice and building up my own small studio. I’m starting with residential work for which I’ve got a few feasibility studies and I’m looking at getting back into the education market as opportunities arise.
Can you say a little about your involvement with the Exchange?
I’ve been coming here since the beginning of July which is pretty much the moment I started working for myself full time. I came to the Exchange by chance – a friend of my wife mentioned it to me and I must say it didn’t really appeal to begin with because I was looking for a space for 2 to 4 people in the Jewellery Quarter, or in the city. But then I came here two or three times on a trial pass and I was really bowled over by how warm it seems as a place of people with different mindsets . I didn’t really appreciate that places like this existed. I’d been down to the Custard Factory but its still mostly people in their own individual offices. Having trialled the Exchange on several occasions I could see that you could just feed off each other, which is a great bonus when you’re starting a business. The facilities are better than I could afford as a small business owner on my own and the opportunities to discuss how things are going with other people is terrific – I’m really enjoying it here.
Is there anything you’d like to see added, changed or improved here?
When I first came here there were quite a few talks scheduled and the occasional advice and workshop sessions. I’m hoping these will continue in September and I can help stimulate or benefit from them. The Wednesday mid-week lunch and Friday Coffee and Cake sessions are terrific and it would be great if we can keep them regular and a bit more productive. It doesn’t matter how few people come along as long as we can sit down and natter about something. We should treat them seriously as mini networking sessions and tap into each others experiences – something you don’t get when you’re working on your own. I’d like to see the Exchange build on this and also not to lose focus on the business sessions it can bring in.
We also need to look at the built environment as well at the Exchange, which is nearly perfect for the work we do, but I notice a few people still feel they need to pop out to make phone calls. The environment needs to be a bit more supportive so that people can make calls at their desk without concern for disturbing other people.
Maybe as an Architect you can advise us how to improve the built environment at the Exchange?
Absolutely. I’ve spoken to Tony (centre manager) on a couple of occasions and made some enquiries with suppliers to see if we can get some assistance. It’s a very good space and there are just a few adjustments to the acoustic treatment that need to be done, which we should push to get implemented.
TOP TIPS!
Do you have any top tips – either starting up in business, working on your own, or just generally getting things done?
Top Tip 1: ‘Getting things done’ (GTD) is a kind of trademark phrase which I’ve only recently come across and I’m using it as much as I can. I’m genuinely seeing it helping me get through a multitude of projects. I started at the beginning of July and I now have 20 different projects, all at different stages, as well as things in my private life. So my top tip number 1 is investigate Getting Things Done and give yourself the opportunity to take it seriously.
My Top Tip 2 is to take advice anywhere and everywhere you can, and consider it properly.
Andy trades as Andy Hunt Architecture and can be contacted at andy@hunt-architecture.co.uk.
