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Women in Leadership - Stephanie Mason, OPEN Architecture
Name: Stephanie Mason
Role: Director
Company: OPEN architecture
Please tell us a little bit about yourself: I joined OPEN architecture back in 2017 and in 2019 became the joint owner with business partner, Glyn Friend. Our award winning practice which is based in Sevenoaks, is passionate about designing beautiful buildings and homes. We pride ourselves on being good listeners and really understanding the space our clients are looking for and then coming up with ideas which challenge and excite them! Once planning is approved we help many of our clients through to the completion of the build to ensure that design is realised as intended.
In my spare time, I enjoy getting lost in a good book, spending time with my young family and friends or relaxing over some enthralling TV!
Why did you decide to go into your chosen field? Architecture and Interior Design have always been something that I was interested in and to be honest, I never wanted to do anything else! From a young age I would sit at the desk in my bedroom drawing floor plans and imagining the families that would live in them. Family friends bought me architecture books for Christmas and birthdays, so I have quite a back catalogue by the time I was ready to leave home!
What qualifications and work experience did you need to reach your current position? Architecture is a degree that you specialise in early within your university career, so I started researching the best Architecture and Design schools in the US and came across the Savannah College of Art and Design. SCAD is not only in an absolutely beautiful city, but it is also a highly competitive and rigorous design school which appealed to my ambitious nature! Plus, I’d never complain about doing homework at the beach! I then moved to the UK where I gained a Master of Art from the Architectural Association, London in Housing and Urbanism. I also gained a Postgraduate Diploma in Interior Design from the British Academy of Interior Design, London.
To become an architect in the UK is slightly different. There are essentially three ‘parts’. Part 1 is three years of undergrad in an accredited programme which results in a bachelors degree. Following completion of this degree you must complete 1 year of work experience. Once complete, you return for two years further education called a part 2 which results in a masters degree. From here you work professionally and must have at least one further year of practical experience before doing a part 3 course which is done whilst on the job. The title of Architect is a legally protected term in the UK and as such you need to complete the full set of parts to call yourself this. If you are not higher education inclined, you can also complete your studies under an apprenticeship scheme which takes longer, but can be done whilst working.
What do you enjoy most about your job/role? I absolutely love immersing myself in how other people live and using my design skills to improve not only their homes, but also their lives. We should never underestimate how important our homes are for our minds, bodies and souls and it is my absolute pleasure to be able to step into someone else’s world to help. I’m also a people person, so it’s wonderful to meet new clients and really see a vision through to the end. Architecture is an incredibly tangible profession and it’s a joy to be part of someone’s journey from start to finish.
Are there any obstacles you had to overcome in your career? Architecture is a predominantly male profession as you move up the ranks and this is largely due to the time pressures associated with the job. It can be a longer hours culture and that doesn’t always suit having a family. I found myself in a difficult position when I had my first child as my boss was very much a work all hours kind of guy and felt that I had hit the ceiling in my practice at that time. So I decided to look elsewhere and within 2 years of joining a new practice I’m now a co-owner!
Why do you think it is important to have strong female representation in your industry? It's absolutely crucial to have female representation in the industry as that's the only way we can push forward into the higher ranks. We need to lift each other up and encourage growth as the more we can move, the better the profession can become and the more opportunity can be given.
What advice would you give to those wanting to take a similar career path? I would tell them to keep pushing forward, challenging others and never let yourself stop shining. It’s easy as a woman in the architecture industry to be overlooked or to step back from the long hours culture due to family commitments, but you can do both. You can reach the top and make a change in the industry that will make waves for future generations
Is there anything else you would like to add about your job or about Women In Leadership? I'd encourage anyone interested in architecture to research early and read as many design books as possible. Go and talk to professionals or do a work experience. Architecture is 100% a passion profession and you need that spark to truly succeed. Start early!
