Senior Project Architect
Name: Zoe Goodbrand
Career stage: Senior - 10+ years' experience
Working: Office, Remote working
High School Subjects: Mathematics (Higher grade); Science; Africaans (Second language); Technical drawing; Accounting;
Favourite: Technical drawings. I love drawing complex objects in 3 dimensions, something that I still enjoy today. I was also very good at it. I also loved maths, specifically geometry and anything that required problem solving.
Further study: University
where and what: Master's in Architecture at the University of Johannesburg
"My role as a project architect is to design and deliver tall towering homes in the sky that are both beautiful and functional"
the inside scoop…
What does a Senior project architect actually do? Through a mix of art and engineering my role as a project architect is to design and deliver tall towering homes in the sky that are both beautiful and functional. Once conceptualised, we then coordinate a team of consultants and builders to bring the building to life.
What does a day in your life at work look like? In my role as a project architect, a typical day unfolds within the confines of the office, through a combination of consultant and client meetings, along with engaging design workshops. During these workshops, a collaborative team dives into a sea of creativity, presenting ideas and sketching concepts on either butcher paper or tablets. When not engrossed in meetings, my focus shifts to the intricacies of 3D CAD software, where I bring buildings to life through detailed drawings.
What's the best part of your job? Seeing a building you worked on get built.
What made you realise construction could be for you? Growing up, my father worked as an architect, inspiring me to follow in his footsteps. Throughout my school years, I cherished both art and math, envisioning architecture as the ideal path to blend creativity and problem-solving in my future career.
What would you tell your high school self about working in construction? Growing up, my father worked as an architect, inspiring me to follow in his footsteps. Throughout my school years, I cherished both art and math, envisioning architecture as the ideal path to blend creativity and problem-solving in my future career.
Do you have any advice for young women picking a career? Do some research of all the options available to you as there are so many rewarding careers in the construction industry (and others) to chose from.
Who has inspired you in your career? There are so many amazing woman leaders in the industry that inspire me everyday to want to better myself.
Zoe is open to engaging further via: Taking a student for work experience, Mentoring a student.
If you'd like to enquire more, please fill out the form below with the subject name: "Zoe Goodbrand" and we'll pass your message on.