0037 / The Class of 2026
Celebrating Ayona and Rachel’s Master’s Degrees / RIBA Part 2
Huge congratulations to Ayona and Rachel, who have both successfully completed their Master of Architecture degrees. Once the final paperwork has been processed, they will also have officially completed RIBA Part 2.
This is a fantastic achievement for them both and an important milestone on their journeys towards becoming qualified architects.
But they are far more than students completing a qualification.
Ayona and Rachel are two outstanding young professionals who work on live projects every day. They have real responsibilities within the practice, work alongside clients, consultants and colleagues, and make meaningful contributions to the homes we design.
They already have years of architectural education and practical design experience behind them. Their master’s degrees build on that experience and recognise the level they have now reached.
Studying alongside practice
Ayona and Rachel joined Brightman Clarke Architects in 2023 while undertaking the RIBA Part 2 Master’s Apprenticeship at Sheffield Hallam University.
During the academic term, they attended university one day each week while continuing to work in practice for the remainder of the week.
Balancing postgraduate study with the demands of live architectural projects is no small undertaking. University deadlines do not make project meetings, planning submissions or the daily responsibilities of practice disappear.
Over the past three years, they have successfully managed both.
The apprenticeship route has allowed their academic and practical experience to develop alongside one another. Ideas explored through their studies have informed their thinking in practice, while working on real projects has brought greater depth to their university work.
Most importantly, they have not been standing on the sidelines.
Both have become valued and trusted members of our team, contributing to design development, planning, technical work, visualisation and the many decisions involved in turning an initial idea into a real home.
Celebrating the degree show
It was fantastic to see Ayona and Rachel exhibiting their final projects at Sheffield Hallam University’s architecture degree show.
From the undergraduate exhibition through to the MArch projects, the breadth of creativity, dedication and talent on display was outstanding.
Having seen first-hand how much work they had put in over the previous year, it was particularly special to see their completed projects presented as part of the exhibition.
Congratulations to everyone who exhibited. We wish all the graduating students every success for the future.
Special recognition for Ayona
The evening also brought special recognition for Ayona, who was awarded the West Yorkshire Society of Architects MArch Year 6 Architectural Design Prize.
It was thoroughly deserved recognition of the quality of her final project and the enormous amount of thought and commitment that went into it.
Hot off the press
Since the degree show, we have received even more exciting news.
Ayona has also received two further nominations: one for the RIBA Yorkshire Student Award and another for the international RIBA President’s Medals.
Her project will be considered for the RIBA Silver Medal, which recognises the highest standard of achievement at Part 2 level.
Completing a master’s degree while working in practice is already an impressive achievement. Receiving one award and two further nominations makes it even more special.
And while Rachel may not have collected an award on the night, she returned to the office with another important title still intact: our reigning quiz champion.
We are sure she will be ready to defend it.
And while Rachel may not have collected an award on the night, she returned to the office with another important title still intact: our reigning quiz champion.
We are sure she will be ready to defend it.