Growing in Practice: Reflecting on Two Years of Apprenticeship and Design
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By Beth Larkin – 13th July 2026
As AB and Izem approach the completion of their Part 2 apprenticeship degrees this summer, we wanted to take the opportunity to reflect on their journey so far and share a selection of work from their thesis projects.
Over the past two years, AB and Izem have balanced university deadlines alongside live projects, gaining experience across a range of sectors, scales and stages of work. This combination of learning and application has allowed them to test ideas in an academic setting while developing the professional skills, confidence and technical understanding that come from working within a practice.
Their final university projects provided an opportunity to explore issues and themes that are important to them as emerging architects. The work showcased below represents the culmination of this research, design development and critical thinking. Through drawings, visualisations, models and animations, the projects demonstrate not only the outcomes of our studies but also the growth that has taken place throughout the apprenticeship journey.
We sat down with AB and Izem to discuss their experiences over the past two years, exploring what it has been like to balance professional practice alongside university study, the challenges and rewards of the apprenticeship route, and how their experiences in practice have influenced their final projects.
Izem Celik – Architectural Assistant
AB Mukadam – Architectural Assistant
What’s your experience of balancing
work alongside studies?
Izem Celik: “Balancing work alongside my studies has been one of the more demanding aspects of the apprenticeship, particularly when practice deadlines and academic submissions coincide. At these points, careful planning and clear prioritisation are essential to keep both areas progressing effectively. Over time, I have developed stronger time management skills and a more structured approach to organising my workload, which has helped me stay on top of competing demands. I have also become more adept at managing the transitions between academic work and project based tasks, which often call for different ways of thinking and working. What has been particularly valuable is the direct link between study and practice. Applying academic concepts within live projects, and reflecting on practice through my studies, has made the workload feel more integrated than separate. This connection has supported my development and made balancing the two areas more manageable.Balancing work alongside my studies has been one of the more demanding aspects of the apprenticeship, particularly when practice deadlines and academic submissions coincide. At these points, careful planning and clear prioritisation are essential to keep both areas progressing effectively. Over time, I have developed stronger time management skills and a more structured approach to organising my workload, which has helped me stay on top of competing demands. I have also become more adept at managing the transitions between academic work and project based tasks, which often call for different ways of thinking and working. What has been particularly valuable is the direct link between study and practice. Applying academic concepts within live projects, and reflecting on practice through my studies, has made the workload feel more integrated than separate. This connection has supported my development and made balancing the two areas more manageable.”
What support have you received from C&W
throughout your qualification?
Izem Celik: “Throughout my qualification, I have received consistent support from C&W, particularly in the flexibility shown around workload and the understanding offered when academic commitments require additional focus. Both my university mentor and work mentor have been instrumental in helping me connect academic learning to live projects and in guiding my development within practice. This support has been central to managing the demands of balancing work and study. I would like to give special thanks to my work mentor Joanna Holland and Dann Crann for their continued support, guidance, and for helping to make this balance between work and study manageable.”
Are there any aspects you feel the practice
has done well in supporting you?
Izem Celik: “C&W has done particularly well in fostering a supportive learning environment where development is encouraged. The willingness to provide exposure to a variety of project stages and responsibilities has been especially valuable, as it has allowed me to build both technical and contextual understanding of architectural practice. In addition, the encouragement to engage with different teams and seek mentorship has helped me grow in confidence and improve my communication and coordination skills within a professional setting.”
“Looking back, one of the greatest benefits of the programme has been the ability to learn through real experience. Working alongside colleagues, consultants and clients while continuing our academic studies has given us a deeper understanding of architecture’s social, technical and collaborative nature. Although balancing practice and university has been challenging at times, it has also been incredibly rewarding.”
Architectural Assistant
Izem’s portfolio
‘OpenLab Science Hub’
“We hope this snapshot of our end-of-year projects offers an insight into the apprenticeship pathway and provides encouragement for those considering or beginning their own journey. As we complete this chapter and prepare for the next stage of our professional development, we are proud of what we have achieved and grateful for the support, mentorship and opportunities that have helped us grow in practice.”
Architectural Assistant
AB’s portfolio – Selected Works
Tectonic Laboratory: A Pedagogical Framework for Architecture
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