Name: Kwamena Beecham
Title: Architect
What I do: Put simply, I design beautiful spaces and places.
Why I got into the property industry: I have always had a love of how things work and loved the mechanics of what makes a city vibrant.
How I did it: Many years of university. It takes seven years to qualify, with the average being about 10.
My first proper job: After graduating my part one, in order to earn money while looking for a suitable architectural role I took a job at Enterprise Rent a Car. The lessons in business acumen are skills I still use in practice today. I can even wash a Ford Focus in a suit without getting wet!
My first big break: Winning the BCO Rising Star London and South East award in 2023.
My inspiration(s): Sir Lewis Hamilton.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: Entering the profession without a lot of the tacit knowledge we take for granted.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: The birth of my first child in 2020.
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: Grand Designs is an accurate representation of the industry. It’s a great programme, but it is edited for television.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: The resistance to meaningful change.
Why I’m so passionate about DE&I: The skills needed to operate in this industry are not reserved for one gender and one race. There are so many talented people from so many different backgrounds that are just as talented, but do not have the privilege to access the industry.
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: Either senior management in a practice or running my own practice.
Who I’d invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: I would invite Le Corbusier, Frank Lloyd Wright, Peter Zumthor and Ricardo Bofill.
What I do in my downtime: I have a massive love of cars. I’m either reading about the latest releases and industry trends, sourcing cars for friends and family or tinkering with the family car. The aim for 2024 is to get a project car. I have an extremely understanding wife!
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: I would probably be selling high end cars.
My advice for someone just starting out: There is enough space for everyone. You do not need to step on people to make it to the top.
My motto/mantra: Trust in God, but lock your car.
