Earlier in 2021, Kate Pittendreigh (aka "K2") joined the Brown & Brown team as an Architectural Assistant, and is now working for us part-time — alongside her final year of study at the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture (Robert Gordon University).

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We grabbed five minutes to talk nice rejection letters, summer BBQs and being part of the team.

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How did you end up here?

As an architecture student at RGU in Aberdeen, I was very aware of and inspired by Brown and Brown’s work — in fact they were my top choice when I started applying for for my 4th year work experience!

I wasn’t instantly successful (although Andrew wrote me the nicest rejection letter I've had to date!), but luckily circumstances changed and here I am!

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What does your role with Brown & Brown involve?

At the moment I’m mostly helping the other team members to take forward designs to the planning stage — so I am involved in drawings, renderings/ visualisations, physical models and planning documents.

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What does a typical day look like?

I’m still working from home at present so a typical day sees me having remote meetings with the other studio staff, and working at my desk, with an occasional site visit.

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Any architectural heroes?

It changes all the time! However I’ve always admired the simplicity of Peter Zumthor's work.

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Have you managed to work in the Brown & Brown studio yet or has it all been remote so far?

Apart from site visits, all my working has been done remotely so far. Thankfully the B&B summer BBQ was able to be on site though!

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Do you prefer a quiet or noisy workspace?

I like both! Most of the time I have a podcast or music on in the background.

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Favourite thing about your job?

Every day is different — I have a variety of work to do, and feel part of the studio team!

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What do you like doing when you're not at work?

I like being with family and friends, walking my dog, drawing, looking after my plants and going to the gym (well... I do it, maybe not so much a ‘like’ thing!).

As a result of lockdown, I have also taken up knitting and paddleboarding.

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What are the advantages of working part-time while finishing your studies?

There's lots!

But includes: hands-on experience; keeping connected to a working practice and ongoing projects; direct support from experienced studio colleagues.

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Describe Brown & Brown in three words.

Inspiring. Encouraging. Supportive.

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