The Building Futures Scholarship Programme

The Building Futures Scholarship programme, offered by Newcastle University in partnership with the charity Blueprint for All, supports students of diverse ethnic heritage with the opportunity to enter the architectural and built environment industry.

We have been delighted to contribute towards the programme each academic year, and recently welcomed Greta Halili into the studio for a two-week work experience placement. Greta is a Stage II Architecture undergraduate scholarship student, undertaking the K100 Architecture BA Honours degree programme.

What first inspired you to want to be an architect?

I was inspired by my interests in art and sociology, and how spaces can shape human behaviour. I wanted to understand why certain designs have different effects on people, and how architecture can be used to create environments that are inclusive, supportive, and accessible to everyone.

Could you tell us a bit about your journey into architecture so far?

My journey into architecture has been a gradual one. I studied Sociology, English Literature and Fine Art for my A-levels. This was followed by a foundation diploma in Art and Design, where I specialised in visual communication design. During this time, I became interested in how our built environment affects human behaviour and I wanted to explore this further at university, both through my studies and ultimately in a dissertation.

How has the Building Futures Programme helped you?

The Building Futures Programme has helped me access opportunities I wouldn’t have been able to pursue without its support. Through the programme, I was able to take a summer internship at FaulknerBrowns, gaining hands-on experience and insights into working in an architectural practice.

What has your experience been like working at FaulknerBrowns?

It has been an engaging and welcoming experience. I’ve appreciated the collaborative atmosphere, and everyone has been supportive and open to questions, making it a great environment for learning and development.

What have you learned during your time here – both personally & professionally?

Professionally, I’ve gained hands-on experience with Revit and Enscape and developed a stronger understanding of how projects progress from early concepts to detailed models. The internship has also given me valuable insight into working within an architectural practice, which has confirmed my ambition to pursue a career in architecture. Personally, I’ve grown more confident in my design abilities and in collaborating as part of a team; skills that will support me throughout my future studies and career.

What have you enjoyed the most about working in-practice?

One of the highlights was working with Dan on a leisure centre project. My role involved developing a Revit massing model from the initial hand-drawn floor plans. This experience strengthened my digital modelling skills and helped me understand how architectural concepts develop from sketches into a full model. I also enjoyed using Enscape to experiment with materials and textures. Seeing the design come to life through the renders was very rewarding.

What has surprised you the most about working in-practice?

I was surprised by how many different sectors architecture covers and by the range of projects FaulknerBrowns works on, both in the UK and internationally. It made me realise just how varied the profession can be in terms of building types and scales.

What is the next step in your studies/career?

I’ll be returning to Newcastle University to complete my third year in architecture. After graduating, I plan to take a year in-practice to gain further professional experience, before hopefully continuing to a master’s degree in architecture.