A year in practice for the next generation of Architects
— 12 Nov 2025
Dominic’s work – the ‘middle atrium’ image shows the section through a further education hub (adaptive reuse of a Victorian school)
Dominic’s project the ‘walkway’ was to rationalise an inaccessible and steep alleyway between back gardens, and spur economic development
Dominic working with community groups at the orchard in Treherbert
Jess’s Italian inspired ceramics studio renovation
Jess’s final year project was an exploration of feedback systems as a form of design
Inhabited apartment layout for a natural-materials based infill housing development on St John Street, London
Atmospheric view showing the proposed façade and ground floor programme as part of St John Street, London
Thomas’s 1:50 model of his Allotment Community Hub project. The project embodied his keen interest in architecture as policy given physical form, enabling opportunities in local communities
Every year we are always delighted to engage a cohort of Part I Architectural Assistants to join the Jonathan Rhind Architects’ team. Having completed their undergraduate degree, Part I Architecture students spend a minimum of a year learning on the job before going on to complete their Master’s degree.
Four Part I Architectural Assistants have joined us this year, Dominic, Jess, Matthew and Thomas, and we are thrilled to welcome them to the Devon and Somerset studios, where they have already brought fresh perspectives and new skills to the job at hand.
Dominic graduated from the Welsh School of Architecture where he developed an interest in the power of built heritage to connect with individuals and communities. One such project - the ‘walkway’ was to rationalise an inaccessible and steep alleyway between back gardens, and spur economic development. Dominic enjoys hiking and photography in his spare time.
Jess undertook her undergraduate degree at the Bartlett School of Architecture, before working as a freelance architectural designer in London and Southwest France. Jess is interested in integrating vernacular building practices with modern construction techniques for a more sustainable built environment. She is combining working at JRA with studying for her Masters at Cardiff University.
Matthew studied at the University of Cambridge before joining JRA where he is furthering his interest in sustainable materials and design with his passion for historic buildings and conservation. Outside the office Matthew is a talented musician and has extensive experience delivering scenic, lighting and AV installations for theatre performances, respecting sensitive historic venues and working as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Thomas graduated from the University of Cambridge where he was Scholar of St John’s College. Thomas is particularly interested in the relationship between architecture and time, and in his dissertation explored practical methods through which time, as material, experience and contextual force, might be made central to the architectural design process. In his spare time Thomas helps run a speaker series “Conversations Around Drawing”, and is also a keen filmmaker,
Dominic, Jess, Matthew and Thomas have all made a superb impression on the rest of the team, and have brought enthusiasm, good humour, excellent graphic and visualisation skills and energy to the projects they are working on. We are delighted to be helping them on their journey through conservation architecture. To see more information about Dominic, Jess, Matthew and Thomas, or any of the rest of the team, please see our Practice Page.
