''En Inglaterra se quedan impresionados ante la formación tan completa de los arquitectos españoles''
''In England they are impressed by the training so complete of Spanish architects''.
Pablo Astráin, graduate of the University of Navarra, tells us about his work experience in London, where he has been living for the last four years
"In work interviews in England, they are shocked when you show them the project end of degree program. They can't get it into their heads that a student is capable of developing a project to a level of detail of project execution". This is the experience of Pablo Astráin from Pamplona, graduate of the School of Architecture of the University of Navarra, who has been working professionally in London for the last four years.
"Compared to the British," he explains, "Spanish architects have a more technical and complete training . We know a lot about construction and have basic knowledge of installations, Structures, etc. In England, although it varies according to universities, they focus more on the aesthetic aspect of buildings: they learn construction when they enter the job market".
International offices
At the end of his fifth year, Pablo went to London to do an internship in a studio, Castanon Associates, while completing the project fin de degree program. He has been working there until now, when he started at Lynch Architects: "The projects we have at the moment are very interesting and I hope to continue learning".
"It is a good experience staff to meet people and to open your mind. Professionally, it is also very interesting, as there are many opportunities and it opens doors, you improve your English. There are also many international offices with projects all over the world," he says.
In that sense, he encourages young Spanish architects to seek new opportunities in other countries in Europe, China, Japan, the Middle East and Canada, for example. "It's good to get out and, besides, there's nothing to lose," he stresses.