Background
Chris Liddle is the chairman of the architectural practice HLM who operate both in the UK and internationally.
Which professional attributes are needed to succeed when working in a different country and culture?
It’s important to understand the demographics of a foreign country. Specifically, population density is vastly different when you compare the likes of Hong Kong to the UK so you have to apply these differences to the way you design buildings. In places like Hong Kong definitions such as density and how this applies to designing buildings mean very different things, therefore you should understand the local outlook and discuss ideas carefully with locals.
Along with understanding local demographics it is also important to carefully consider cultural differences when you are designing drawings for the project. You have to acquire cultural intelligence when offering these drawings to the client. This requires a great deal of understanding and patience in order to ‘paint the right picture’ for your client. Culturally correct drawings are the minimum your funders will expect. An incorrect drawing may cost you the project.
A more local variation of working in the UK is the variations in the devolution of powers to the constituent nations. In particular you need to be aware of the differences regarding finance and spending in; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland when compared to England. So it is not merely the international context of understanding the differences in spending structures it is also important to understand there are differences in the way this is applied within our own country.
Which personal attributes are needed to succeed when working in a different country and culture?
When venturing abroad it is important to prepare yourself for practices both professionally and culturally to be very different to what you have experienced. To combat these differences you should be open minded about the tasks and challenges ahead. You should also use the skills and knowledge you have gained so far to help you through these initial stages. All in all you should be confident in how you meet these new challenges.
You should also take confidence from the fact that many of the world’s standards derived from here in the UK. British knowledge and skills are strongly sought after for this reason. Global standards regarding sustainability and health care design are areas which have been significantly influenced by Britain. Therefore you should feel confident that the skills and knowledge you gain from a British university are highly sought after around the world.
It is also advantageous to have expertise in a particular field in order to assist clients to work through consultations. Communicating these ideas and challenges clearly is a major attribute as clients, focussing on a specialised area within architecture, will more likely seek your advice. Communicate with your clients closely in order to engender trust and aiding understanding of the project.
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