{"id":14879,"date":"2025-07-15T17:04:53","date_gmt":"2025-07-15T17:04:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/connected\/?p=14879"},"modified":"2025-07-16T09:17:44","modified_gmt":"2025-07-16T09:17:44","slug":"finding-flexibility-in-architecture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/connected\/2025\/07\/15\/finding-flexibility-in-architecture\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding Flexibility in Architecture"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n

From finding herself while studying abroad, to the open-minded view that shaped her career – University of Reading alumna, Lily Sobri, shares her journey from student to design strategist.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"For 2020 architecture<\/a> graduate Lily, going to university was more than just a chance to lay the foundations of her career. Now with a role as a Design Strategist for GDP Architects<\/a> \u2013 Lily shared how studying abroad at the University of Reading provided the opportunity to move away from her comfort zone, gain independence and expand her understanding of how many doors one degree could open.<\/p>\n

Versatility in degrees<\/strong><\/h4>\n

With the construction industry at a standstill and limited job opportunities, graduating in the middle of the pandemic was a daunting time for Lily. However, that didn\u2019t stop her from thinking outside of the box in terms of what she could do with her degree. Lily explained: \u201cIt was a difficult time to be looking for jobs but I remembered my lecturers reminding us how versatile a degree can be. So with that knowledge, I applied for an internship at an American furniture design company, Steelcase, which developed into a permanent role.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy role was a Space Designer which is similar to an interior designer but we would work with large companies such as Google.These companies would come to us with an empty space and we would create something for it that was functional for their employees.\u201d<\/p>\n

From there, Lily moved on to Haworth,<\/a> an office design firm, where she worked as a Design Consultant. \u201cIt was a similar role but this time I also prepared contracts and did a lot of mathematical work,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n

Keen to return to a more creative working environment, Lily took on the role as Design Strategist at GDP Architects, where she has worked for almost two years. \u201cWe mostly work with architects and contractors and support them with upcoming projects and help create ideas for them,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n

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“I really love how versatile the role is. As a Design Strategist I can work on branding development, market research, product design and design consulting.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

“It requires the ability to adapt to the different nature of each project we take on and I really owe my adaptability to my architecture degree, which was very diverse in the modules and assignments we did.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the biggest lessons Lily learned during her time at Reading was that an architecture degree doesn\u2019t have to lead to a traditional architect role. She said:<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe architecture field is very versatile and isn\u2019t as specific as you might think \u2013 you can apply a lot of what you learn to other parts of the field and within other design careers.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201cI owe that type of thinking to the lecturers at the University of Reading who were very clear that you don\u2019t have to be an architect. That really helped me to keep an open mind when starting my career within the industry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Watch the video below to hear Lily talk about her role as a Design Strategist:<\/strong><\/p>\n