Senior/Lead Technical Architect in London

Senior/Lead Technical Architect in London

London Full-Time 70000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative architectural projects in luxury hospitality, ensuring high-quality design and technical excellence.
  • Company: Utopia, a dynamic real estate development group redefining luxury experiences.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, creative work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on creativity and innovation.
  • Why this job: Join a passionate team shaping the future of global hospitality through exceptional design.
  • Qualifications: 10-15 years in architecture, strong Revit skills, and experience in hospitality projects.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.

Utopia is a forward-thinking global real estate development group dedicated to creating a distinctive portfolio of luxurious and high-end hospitality assets. At Utopia, we're building more than properties — we're crafting extraordinary experiences. Founded in 2023, our in-house architectural firm, Utopia Design, is at the heart of our mission to create a global portfolio of luxurious, high-end hospitality destinations.

We are looking for a technically strong and detail-oriented architect to join our design team within the real estate development business, focusing on boutique hospitality assets. In this role, you will be responsible for translating the design intent into fully coordinated, precise, and buildable documentation. You will work across all design stages with a focus on technical development - from RIBA Stage 3 through construction, ensuring that the project's quality, constructability, and coordination are preserved throughout.

You will collaborate with the broader design and engineering team and serve as a key point of contact for design problem-solving, system integration, and detailing. This role is focused on the later design phases. Personal engagement in RIBA 3-5 will be around 75%, with early-stage design support and feasibility input up to 25%. We expect you to be highly proficient in Revit (including parametric families, freeform modeling, and terrain modeling), with strong BIM coordination experience. You should also have a solid understanding of construction methodologies, materials, detailing, and multi-disciplinary integration. Experience with Navisworks is required; Rhino, AutoCAD, and Enscape are a plus.

To succeed in this role, you should be independent, analytical, proactive in solving technical and coordination challenges, and capable of consistently delivering high-quality, buildable design packages. Fluency in English is essential.

Responsibilities
  • Work on a variety of high-end hospitality projects, with a focus on technical development, spatial coordination, and construction-level detailing.
  • Translate concept and schematic designs into coordinated, buildable Revit models and documentation packages across RIBA Stages 3–5.
  • Develop precise technical layouts, assemblies, and details in Revit, ensuring consistency with design intent, constructability, and regulatory requirements.
  • Coordinate architectural models with structural, MEP, and interior design inputs using BIM workflows and Navisworks.
  • Review, resolve, and prevent coordination issues across disciplines; propose feasible, well-integrated technical solutions.
  • Build and manage project typologies, families, and detail libraries to support efficient design development and standardization.
  • Support tender and construction documentation preparation, ensuring alignment with specifications, codes, and local regulations.
  • Assist in the development of project-specific systems and façade/roof/technical typologies based on construction logic and material performance.
  • Provide quality control on Revit models and documentation across the team; conduct technical reviews and flag risks early.
  • Collaborate with the procurement team on technical inputs related to material quantities, specifications, and product compatibility.
  • Stay up to date with building systems, construction methods, and BIM automation tools; research and implement best practices in technical design.
  • Supervise and guide BIM modelers and junior technical staff; support in building department-wide technical workflows and standards.
CV Requirements
  • Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Architecture.
  • 10 to 15 years of experience in architectural design.
  • Experience working on low-rise residential and hospitality projects – private homes and villas, hotels and resorts.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills.
  • Proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD and Navisworks.
  • Professional level of English, both written and verbal.
  • Portfolio is a must.

Senior/Lead Technical Architect in London employer: Utopia Design

Utopia is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture, where creativity and excellence are at the forefront of our mission to redefine luxury in hospitality. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, we offer opportunities for professional development and collaboration within a young, ambitious team dedicated to crafting extraordinary experiences. Located in a vibrant environment, Utopia provides a unique chance to be part of a forward-thinking real estate development group that values bold vision and technical expertise.

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Contact Details:

Utopia Design Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior/Lead Technical Architect in London

Get Your Portfolio Game On Point

As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!

Slide into Networking Events

Architecture thrives on community connections, so keep an eye out for local architecture meetups, exhibitions, and lectures. These events are gold for meeting industry professionals, and who knows? You might just bump into someone from Utopia Design who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!

Learn the Software Inside Out

Make sure you're up to speed with design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. Being able to discuss your proficiency during interviews can really set you apart. Plus, if you can mention particular projects where you’ve used them, you’ll demonstrate both skill and practical experience.

Refine Your Interview Skills

Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!

We think you need these skills to ace Senior/Lead Technical Architect in London

Revit
BIM Coordination
Navisworks
Construction Methodologies
Technical Detailing
Spatial Coordination
Problem-Solving Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!

Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at Utopia Design!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Utopia Design. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!

Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!

How to prepare for a job interview at Utopia Design

Master the Technical Questions

In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.

Bring Your Portfolio to Life

Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.

Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability

In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.

Engage with Your Interviewers

Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at Utopia Design.