From Cambridge to Sky Rises in Dubai, where Architectural Technology Can Take You

Harvey Hale, alumni of CRC’s higher education course in Architectural Technologies and former Engineering Apprentice, is now a senior architectural technologist at one of the standout architectural practices in Dubai, BSBG (Brewer Smith Brewer Group), leading the technical delivery on some of the firm’s numerous large-scale projects in the United Arab Emirates, and throughout the region.

Harvey, 32 from Colne, Cambridgeshire, now living and working in Dubai, studied a Foundation Degree in Architectural Technology at CRC in 2015. He credits his education for his rapid career advancement which now sees him working on a range of large scale and complex projects abroad. A prospect once suggested by his course tutor which he never thought could come true, but it did.

“It’s amazing. Six or seven years ago I was detailing single storey residential extensions in Cambridgeshire, and now I’m working on large scale, complex projects in Dubai.”

“I feel very lucky to be in the position I’m in, and it’s thanks to the education I was able to undertake, I’ve got a lot to thank my tutors at CRC for.”

“One day at college, I became frustrated trying to grasp a new detail and my tutor said to me, ‘Don’t sweat the small stuff. You could be working on skyscrapers around the world one day.’ I remember thinking, no way, and now, here I am!”

Harvey’s journey began with an engineering apprenticeship at Huntingdon Regional College (now CRC’s Huntingdon Campus) but he had always had an interest in architecture. Something, early on in life, educators had discouraged him from pursuing. His interest led him to explore architectural technology, which resonated with his engineering background. His visit to CRC open day to learn about the course content gave him a further appetite for architectural technology.

Harvey pursued a foundation degree course in architectural technology one day a week. Despite the challenge of entering architecture without experience, he managed to start working for a small practice focusing on house extensions, giving him valuable experience. His career progressed to larger commercial projects in Peterborough before progressing on to complete a three-year top-up degree at Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford, accredited by CIAT (Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists). Since Harvey studied at CRC the foundation degree course at CRC is now also CIAT accredited.

Harvey’s tutors encouraged him to enter his dissertation to the CIAT Student Awards which is where his now employer was first impressed by his work, which led to a subsequent job offer.

Now, Harvey leads significant developments in the Middle East, applying his technical knowledge from both his educational background and his hands-on experience. He emphasises the importance of accredited courses and the value of learning from diverse professionals during his studies. Harvey encourages others to pursue their passions, attend open days, and seize educational opportunities that can change their lives, just as his choices have shaped his successful career in architectural technology.

“There’s a lot of interest in the industry currently for strong architectural technologists.”

“My engineering background has been key for my understanding of both how things go together and technical properties of different materials and systems. A definite boost in my journey to now leading the delivery of large-scale developments, which is life and career changing, and that’s all because of my educational background and the opportunities I have taken.”

Talking about the course, Harvey said: “The environment that you’re in on this course is quite unique because you have such a mix of experience and people. You’re studying alongside people from so many different backgrounds, you get a great, rounded experience. You’ve got tutors who are both working in practice with their own businesses as well as hands on experience for tutoring, which brings a wealth of up-to-date industry insight.”

When asked to explain the difference between Architectural Technology and Architecture, Harvey states: “So, the way I always explain it is that there’s no clear direct separation between architecture and architectural technology. They’re both completely intertwined disciplines, but architecture is more design led whereas architectural technology is the ‘nitty gritty’ of technical resolution and coordination.”

“They do very much go hand-in-hand, and I know a lot of technologists who are fantastic designers, and I know a lot of architects who are very technical, it’s all driven by the specific individual and the working environment you are in, but that’s the simple bias of the two disciplines.”

Projects Harvey now works on

Since working in Dubai, Harvey has worked on a series of large-scale complex projects including:

About BSBG

BSBG is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning architecture practice with expertise that extends from architectural and interior design, to executive architecture, structural engineering and lead consultancy across Europe and the Middle East. The practice has cultivated a business proposition that offers broad in-depth project expertise, and a reputation for delivering complex projects and developments across the world.

With specialist teams of Engineers and Interior Designers who engage with Architects from the outset, BSBG provides fully cohesive and coordinated design solutions that are informed, purposeful and innovative, and a professional lead consultancy service from project inception to on-site completion. BSBG strives to ensure its reputation is upheld by employing architects and designers capable of working at the very highest level, to the international BSBG standards. The multi-cultural international team is made up from approximately 20 nationalities, and includes more than 150 architects, designers, technicians and business support. BSBG boasts a remarkably diverse portfolio, and counts some of the largest and most highly regarded international developers as long term clients, from all sectors of industry, including Residential, Commercial, Mixed Use, Education, Hospitality & Leisure, and Retail.