Anna Cumberland – Exploring the hearts and minds of the individuals in Team GT3!

Describe a typical GT3 working day in the life of Anna.
A typical day has changed a lot this year! My day would often have included a site visit to a current project or a client meeting. Now these still happen, but usually remotely from my desk. Some things are consistent though; I like that my days are still incredibly varied. One day I’ll be working through sketches and presentations with colleagues and clients to develop early stage projects, then the next I’ll be choosing samples or drawing details for a project already on site. All interspersed with the necessary coffee breaks!

Why did you become an Architect?
I can’t honestly say I spent my childhood dreaming of it, but I have always enjoyed drawing, problem solving and people watching. When you design a building you have to think about every stage – from considering how people might experience the spaces we are drawing, what the buildings themselves should be made of, and how they might be built.

How would you describe the culture of GT3?
It is often like an (unconventional!) family; we enjoy each other’s company, constructive debate is encouraged (whether it’s about the best office snacks or key project decisions), we come together to work things out and there’s always a laugh to be had.

If you didn’t take the Architecture route, what other kind of career would you see yourself in?
I considered medicine, but I am terrible at chemistry so that never took off. I realise now I enjoy talking to people about how they live their day-to-day lives and working with colours and materials… so maybe a position in the “Changing Rooms” reboot!

Do you have a favourite design style, if so, what would you say this is?
I don’t have a favourite style as such, but I get excited about projects which somehow manage to blend the landscape into the architecture in a way which really roots buildings in their locality and often creates slightly unusual or unconventional spaces.

What is your biggest inspiration?
That’s a big question! It is no one thing, or person for me, but times where I see that people come together to achieve something special, even where money or time or support is not on their side. It gives me hope that every project we do has the potential to be positive, beautiful or special to someone, even if it’s not obvious on the face of it.

To view the full GT3 Architects team, please visit Our People.