Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Websites
Affiliations
Accomplishments
References
Timeline
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Ashlea Smith

Warrington,Cheshire

Summary

Dynamic and design-driven Part 1 Architectural Assistant with a passion for socially responsive design and creating architecture that engages communities and reflects cultural and environmental contexts. My academic work has explored the role of light, narrative, and materiality in shaping meaningful public spaces, while my professional experience includes contributions across RIBA Stages 1–3 and involvement in a Stage 4 project. I bring strong spatial storytelling skills across hand drawing, digital media, and physical model-making, supported by technical proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD, and SketchUp. Meticulous attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and a highly organised, collaborative mindset underpin my design process. I am committed to thoughtful, material-sensitive architecture and continuous development through hands-on making and interdisciplinary teamwork.

Overview

7
7
years of professional experience

Work history

Part 1 Architectural Assistant

Ssharc Ltd
Manchester
07.2024 - 06.2025
  • Contributed to residential and adaptive reuse projects including barn conversion
  • Helped produce planning applications and technical packages and attended design meetings
  • Learned the importance of building strong relationships between clients and stakeholders and contractors
  • Strengthened Revit and photoshop skills
  • Developed design options and presentation materials for internal reviews.
  • Reviewed local regulations before designing buildings to ensure compliance.
  • Submitted ideas as part of early stages of design processes.
  • Produced digital and physical conceptual models.
  • Offered renderings to help clients visualise outcome of designs.
  • Raised customer satisfaction by reworking and modifying designs according to client feedback.

Retail sales associate

Topshop
Warrington, Cheshire
07.2019 - 01.2021
  • Supported marketing initiatives by setting up promotional displays.
  • Contributed to sales targets through active promotion of products.
  • Assisted in visual merchandising, improving shop floor appeal.
  • Upheld company policies whilst interacting with customers and colleagues.
  • Provided product knowledge to customers for informed purchases.
  • Advised customers on product selection based on their needs.
  • Operated cash registers with accuracy and processed cash and card transactions.

Volunteer

World Challenge
Nepal
07.2018 - 07.2018
  • Raised funds for charity initiative and two-week expedition to Nepal, facilitating school reconstruction after 2015 earthquake and providing aid to surrounding Nepalese communities.
  • Coordinated daily tasks, ensuring smooth workflow within the team.
  • Quickly learned and applied new skills to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
  • Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.

Education

BA (Hons) - Architecture

University of Liverpool
Liverpool
09/2021 - 05/2024

A-Levels - undefined

Priestley College
01.2019 - 1 2021

Skills

  • Communicator
  • Problem-solver
  • Team player
  • Adaptive
  • Creative
  • Attention to detail
  • Organised
  • Collaborative
  • Model making
  • Free-hand sketching
  • Adobe Creative Suite
  • Autodesk Revit
  • AutoCAD
  • InDesign experience
  • Sketchup
  • V-Ray
  • Procreate
  • Morpholio


Affiliations

  • Furniture restoration & upcycling
  • Photography
  • Bouldering
  • Hiking
  • Art exhibitions
  • Dancing
  • Travelling

Accomplishments

BA3 Alumni Prize Outstanding CGI

Awarded for "Urban Canvas Studios", Courtyard image; recognised for visual storytelling in architecture.


Shortlisted nominee: The Sheppard Robson Jicwood Prize 2024

Nominated for design with imaginative and sustainable intent - "Urban Canvas Studios".

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Part 1 Architectural Assistant

Ssharc Ltd
07.2024 - 06.2025

Retail sales associate

Topshop
07.2019 - 01.2021

A-Levels - undefined

Priestley College
01.2019 - 1 2021

Volunteer

World Challenge
07.2018 - 07.2018

BA (Hons) - Architecture

University of Liverpool
09/2021 - 05/2024

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Ashlea Smith