Name: Oliver Hall
Title: Partner at Make Architects and chair of the BCO NextGen Committee
What I do: I am an architect and head of sustainability at Make Architects. I work on a variety of projects including large commercial offices, project fit outs, masterplans and even a garden bridge! In addition to my project work I oversee our sustainability team which I’ve built from ground up over the past five years – initially as a working group of practicing architects and now to a full-time team of researchers and sustainable design coordinators.
Alongside my day job, I am the chair of the British Council for Offices’ NextGen London and South East Committee. We represent around 1,000 members under the age of 35 who work in commercial real estate; from architects to asset managers and development managers to engineers. We host building tours, networking events and seminars as well as organising active events including a weekly cycling club, running club and monthly yoga session on some of the best roof terraces in London. Our biggest output is our annual NextGen Ideas competition, which is currently live, and our NextGen Awards, which celebrates the rising stars in the workplace sector across the country as well as those that support the next generation.
Why I got into the property industry: I have always been amazed by buildings, particularly the process of taking a blank sheet of paper and turning it into a space that has so much impact on people’s lives. Buildings define so much of who we are, we live in them, work in them and everything in between. I wanted to create these spaces which define our lives in a positive way.
How I did it: I had a relatively humble upbringing. My secondary school – a technical college – was focused on getting people into trades. I did GNVQs instead of lots of GCSEs – the idea of university was practically taboo! But I wanted to create buildings and architects seemed to be the ones who did it. The trouble was the only architects I saw were on Grand Designs. However, I contacted a practice in my hometown and was given a week’s work experience in a draftsman’s office. It was enlightening. From that point onwards I was focused on only one goal: to become an architect.
My first proper job: My first proper architecture job after my undergraduate degree was at the practice Quattro Design Architects, where I got my first real taste of architecture. It was a medium-sized practice, where I worked on hospital and educational projects. The experience taught me a lot about the technical aspects of architecture and design delivery, a valuable experience for a fresh-faced designer.
My first big break: My undergraduate degree was in architecture and environmental engineering which, back then, was one of only two courses that covered RIBA Part 1 and CIBSE. I realised I loved doing architecture, but found the technical rigour of engineering a brilliant balance. I was desperate to do both and not just follow the traditional architecture path when I left university, but I could only find architect OR engineering jobs – not a role that offered a combination of the two. However, about six months after graduating my previous tutor sent me a job description for an environmental design assistant at Foster + Partners – it was a unicorn job. Within the month I was sat at a desk in Battersea, testing facades, designing parametric roofs, analysing climate and creating sustainability strategies for some of the best projects in the world.
My inspiration(s): I am constantly inspired by those around me, whether ambitious young go-getters, or relaxed country dwellers. I am surrounded by family and friends who balance me out and inspire me to do better while staying grounded.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: Trying to achieve practical completion on a large commercial office project, 80 Charlotte Street, through the first months of the Covid-19 pandemic was very tough. Lockdown meant I couldn’t complete the inspections and sign off everything I wanted to, making me feel detached from the site team. Fortunately, I managed to attend a very socially distanced practical completion meeting in the summer, but it still felt there was a lack of closure on the project I had poured my heart into for years. However, I am pleased that 80 Charlotte Street was awarded Commercial Workplace at the BCO National Awards a few years later, which felt like it offered the further recognition and celebration it deserved.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: The first time I got a planning permission on a project I had worked on from inception. The Salford Rise Garden Bridge was a project we conceived during a masterplan design and was then asked to work up as part of a ‘Levelling Up’ project. Taking the project from a simple green line doodled on the masterplan to an unanimously approved planning – with some levelling up funding along the way – made me very proud. The project is due to start on site soon and I’m looking forward to seeing it become reality.
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: It’s all about making money and building big shiny buildings. It’s not. It’s about bringing people together to deliver environments that people need.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: Not adapting fast enough. Whether it’s climate change, DE&I or economic constraints, we don’t move fast enough to head off the challenges on the horizon. The BCO is fundamentally changing its research agenda to be quicker to adapt and bring in broader expertise, based on four main pillars: the economy, business, technology and ESG. The next generation won’t let the industry sit still and I like to think the industry leaders of tomorrow will be willing to take a lead in driving quicker change.
Why I’m so passionate about DE&I: I believe that everyone deserves to have the chance to succeed and as a younger professional I can see my peer group becoming increasingly diverse and representing the best and brightest of all walks of life. I do think more needs to be done to widen participation in remote areas of the county. A lot of work is often focused on communities on our doorstep, but we should also be putting just as much effort into reaching young people outside our urban centres, especially in areas with a lower density of professional roles in real estate. The BCO NextGen Committee work with Career Ready to run workshops with young people to educated them on potential careers in real estate, and it’s an initiative we are looking to roll out nationally this year. Improvements in apprenticeships for degrees in particular give me hope to widen access, and it’s one of the reasons I work on the architect degree apprenticeship at Oxford Brookes University.
Why I’m so passionate about ESG: Environmental, social and governance embodies all the things we need to fix. My skills for a long time have been in environmental, looking at ways to implement sustainable design or process. In recent years I’ve taken on a broader focus at Make and the BCO looking at social value, particularly ethical practice which impacts governance. I’m particularly proud of Make becoming a B Corp which represents much of the core ESG thinking that all companies should be taking on.
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: I’d like to still be an architect. Designing buildings which make people lives better as well as expanding my work with the BCO and within Make to be part of the next generation of industry leaders.
Who I’d invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: Armando Iannucci, Ian Hislop, Jeremy Clarkson, Ellen MacArthur, David Attenborough and my wife. I want some lively debate!
What I do in my downtime: Away from work I spend time seeing friends, eating good food, reading very random non-fiction books, riding my bike, swimming, going for a long drive and walking the dog.
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: If I hadn’t found architecture I would be in a trade or doing something with my hands. I like to think I’d be an expert mechanic restoring classic cars.
My advice for someone just starting out: Get involved and be inquisitive. There is a wealth of knowledge around you so make sure you speak with people, open your ears and spend time with others. This will challenge, motivate and educate you in ways that just sitting with your head down at your desk will not. Most of all, it is important to pursue other passions that support your career and keep you inspired. While you should look for a career that excites and motivates you, it doesn’t have to tick all the boxes. This is why I became a member of the RIBA Schools Visiting Board, as I felt it was important to keep in touch with students to understand the new ideas and discussions that are taking place amongst the new wave of young professionals that enter the sector.
My motto/mantra: Just say Yes. It’s very easy to say no. Looking back, all the best thing I’ve done have all come through saying ‘yes’ against my natural aversion to risk.
