Carys Thomas-Osborne – Exploring the hearts and minds of the individuals in Team GT3!

Describe a typical GT3 working day in the life of Carys.
My typical day starts with a tea round, always. Then I try to take five to think about my plan for the day ahead, tasks I’m working on and anything pressing. I tend to split my time between project work and more research based stuff for the practice, so I have my hand in a lot of honey pots. This means I tend to have a lot of different things to keep on top of, so planning is really important.

Most days though, I’m working on data analysis or an InDesign file to be sent to a client. I work with the workplace consultancy (Performance+) team on projects, so I spend a lot of time at work thinking about other people at work.

What inspired you to become a Research Assistant?
I didn’t really decide to become a research assistant, I just studied what I loved at Uni and hoped I’d be able to make a career out of it. Luckily, I came across GT3 pretty much by accident and was able to start work as a Research Assistant.

I studied Psychology at undergrad and became really interested in the way our surroundings can influence us. This led me to a Masters degree in Environmental Psychology, where I learned a lot about workplace and how the environment can influence how we feel and behave. I was frustrated that we spent so little time learning about the built environment compared to how much we studied the global environment. Obviously, the global environment is important, but given we have so much control over the spaces we build for ourselves, it never made much sense to me to gloss over architecture. My MSc had some architects on as well as some psychologists and they helped me decide that working in this industry would be the best, most fulfilling way to actually implement change based on what I’d learned.

How would you describe the culture of GT3?
I think we’re fun. I know it sounds simple but that doesn’t mean it isn’t important. The studios are always relaxed and welcoming, but it feels like a good place to come and get stuff done. Everyone is knowledgeable on a range of subjects and always willing to share their time or advice. I enjoy being in the studio and I’m really grateful to have made actual friends at work (and a housemate – shout out to Holly!).

If you didn’t take this career route, what other kind of career could you see yourself in?
If my old Lecturers and my parents had their way I’d be doing a PhD in Environmental Psychology, I’ve studied Psychology since I was 15 and always loved it, so it’s hard to imagine not working in that field. But, I’ve always liked the idea of working in Urban Planning or Design, I’m a city girl through and through and I really like learning about how we move around urban spaces and how much they can mean to us. That might be cheating, as it’s pretty much an extension of what I do now!

If I could pluck a job out of thin air regardless of talent, I’d like to be a celebrity chef. Every time I watch them swanning around the world tasting and talking about delicious food, I think; “I could do that”.

What inspires you?
This might sound a bit cringy but I think people inspire me the most. I learn a lot from the people around me and I think people can do some really amazing things. In one way or another, I think people are always involved in what I do, I think that’s part of being a psychologist. It’s sort of a job requirement!

Do you indulge in any hobbies? If so, please tell us a bit about them…
Food is my biggest hobby, not just cooking and eating but generally consuming (pun intended) as much knowledge around food as I can.

I regularly read cookbooks like novels before bed, I watch chefs challenge themselves on YouTube videos and I even listen to food podcasts. I think food is the best way to get joy into life, even if I’m not a great cook.

Aside from food, I spend a fair amount of time caring for my 20 something house plants and asking my parents to send me photos of the cat.

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