Part II Architectural Assistant – Burrell Foley Fischer

Burrell Foley Fischer (BFF), an architecture practice of more than 35 people that specialises in heritage, cultural and performing arts buildings, is recruiting a Part II architectural assistant for its London studio in Highbury. The listing went up on Dezeen Jobs on 28 October 2026 and stays open until 25 November 2026. The salary is published at £35,000 to £40,000 a year, depending on experience.

The practice is known for the technical side of adapting existing buildings. Its clients include theatres, concert halls, sports grounds, schools, visitor attractions and other cultural bodies across the UK, and it says it has again been shortlisted for Architect of the Year this year. A good example is the Hall for Cornwall in Truro, a Grade II* listed venue where BFF stripped out the old arena-style auditorium and inserted a new steel and timber frame over three levels, with a flexible proscenium and adjustable acoustic banners.

The role

The assistant will join one of the project teams and work next to qualified architects and directors through the whole RIBA process, from first concept sketches to construction details on site. Responsibility is handed over step by step, with support close at hand. The current workload is a broad mix:

• Grade-listed theatres and concert venues
• Historic stadia and new grandstands for heritage sports grounds
• Schemes funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund
• Conservation-led refurbishment and reuse of older buildings
• Civic and cultural commissions, and new additions in historic settings
• New housing in conservation areas, including former church sites

Requirements

• A Part 2 qualification and active progress towards Part 3
• A real interest in heritage buildings and in adapting and reusing existing structures
• Care for technical detail as well as the larger design moves
• A working knowledge of UK Building Regulations and construction practice
• Competence in Revit; Vectorworks experience is a bonus
• Confident communication, a team spirit and an appetite for learning

In return, BFF offers hands-on mentoring towards Part 3, involvement at every RIBA stage rather than drawing production alone, a clear framework for professional development and a small, collaborative studio where individual work is noticed.

How to apply

Apply through Dezeen Jobs with a CV, a portfolio that mixes design thinking with technical delivery, your expected salary and a covering letter on why BFF appeals to you and what you want from your next role. Candidates able to start at short notice are welcome. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted, agencies are not accepted and the practice is an equal opportunities employer. The listing closes on 25 November 2026.