Eoghan Fagan, senior associate at architecture, planning and design experts CallisonRTKL, tells us about his career in the property industry.
How did you get started working in property?
My father was a builder, so I grew up around building sites and was fascinated by their composition. From a young age, there were always sketches and technical drawings lying around the house, and at the time these were all done by hand. I remember thinking there was a real beauty and art behind how these were done.
This early interest in property led to me studying construction and technical drawings at the University College of Dublin and following this, an Architectural Technology diploma at The Technological University in Dublin. So far, I’ve been working in architecture for almost 20 years.
Tell us about your current day-to-day role?
Now, I am a senior associate at CallisonRTKL, a global architecture, planning and design firm that began over seven decades ago. Since then, we have evolved into a cultural agency that advances positive outcomes in our communities. My focus within this is on designing experiences that promote wellbeing, socially responsible outcomes, and data-driven design.
Day to day I take on the role of project architect, at present for a new and exciting residential scheme in Birmingham. The project will launch later in 2022, until then I can’t say too much about it other than that it will have strong sustainability credentials and set a new local standard for building performance, façade metrics, microclimate and solar radiation. One of our key responsibilities on this project is to ensure the building has a responsibility to its residents, both in terms of environmental credentials and energy bills. So far, this project has been hugely educational and rewarding for everyone involved.
What do you love about working in property?
There are so many things to love, especially in my job. First of all, delivering something tangible that people will experience and live in for years to come. Buildings are delivered to last a very long time, far exceeding the average life span of humans, so it’s extremely rewarding to know that buildings we’ve helped design and deliver will be around for hundreds of years after we’ve passed.
Another thing is the sense of permanence and the ability to contribute to the wider urban landscape. I also enjoy the processes and the inter-team collaboration required to bring projects of this scale to life. From the drawing board to a development site, it is a unique and rewarding industry that brings together many different types of professions and possibilities.
What’s been your career highlight to date?
Throughout my career in property, I have been lucky enough to have worked in various countries across the world and in very different sectors including commercial and residential. Some of my main highlights include working on civic offices in Ireland, on hospitality and high-end residential projects in Australia and multi-family housing schemes here in the UK.
It’s surprising how influential one project can be on the next – you are always exploring and learning what’s successful and what isn’t.
What would you change about the sector?
More recognition about the value of good design and the commercial benefit it can create from an investor’s point of view. We are all different and all live different lives. We need a good variety of homes in the industry and we need to eliminate this race to the bottom. To combat this, we have found involving a wider range of stakeholders earlier on in the process can add rigor to the design, ensuring the various voices of the community are well represented. This also helps to create a shared vision, by implementing clear markers for success that all parties can follow.
The involvement of operators and agents in the early decision process is also beneficial as it pivots the decision process from a subjective viewpoint to one based on data, metrics and market drivers. I would like to see this implemented more across the industry moving forward.
What are the current trends you are seeing in the resi space?
Mental health and wellbeing are becoming even more prevalent in every industry, and the property industry is no different. We’re seeing a large focus on the connectivity between the outdoors and the local community. In turn, this can help create a sense of belonging for everyone. With this in mind, we’re seeing more and more people take time out of their busy morning schedules to enjoy a tea or coffee by a local park, lake or river to take in and enjoy fresh air.
In addition, we’re also seeing a recognised need and large demand for additional outside space to improve the general wellbeing of the occupants of a building. These are usually community parks, walking routes or an area for people to sit and enjoy their immediate surroundings. The connection of a building with the outside world is something I learned about while working in Australia and we’re starting to see more of a focus on this in the UK. Outside spaces are not just other areas but are an integral part of the overall building and need to be seamless with their adjacent interior rooms.
What would your advice be to people considering joining the industry?
So far, I’ve been working in architecture for almost 20 years and it is such an exciting and interesting area of the property industry to work in. But it is so diverse when it comes to those working in the industry. Whether you are interested in the technical aspects of architecture, design, masterplanning, interiors of buildings or the science and software now available to use (virtual reality, generative design, visualisations) there is plenty of space for everyone who are passionate about architecture, design and improving the built environment for the better.
