In a world apparently full of so many challenges, it’s hard sometimes to see the wood for the trees. But as we enter 2022 there are lots of reasons why architecture still remains a wonderful profession to be a part of.

1. Just to begin with. Creativity! Art! We are the cooks and creators of buildings. We use our minds to design and our hands to draw, like the essential act and symbolism of baking bread or making wine. We are lucky: these skills are generally good for our mental health. We architects understand that life is about more than just materialism. It is fair to say that the tenets of our profession help us in pursuing a balanced and creative life.

2. The practice of architecture uses both sides of our brain – in fact nearly all the time. Our work is rarely boring, very rarely repetitive. No two days need be the same, as we move across our different work stages. And we are by no means always office based. There is much to be thankful for in our working patterns.

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