Seeking an Architect /
Architectural Technologist:
A Meeting of Minds in the South Downs
Studio-based · Near Midhurst, South Downs · Full-time or Part-time
4 days, 5 days’ pay · Salary dependent on experience
At George & James, we create backdrops for modern life. Whether we’re breathing new energy into a heritage property or crafting a thoughtful new build, our work is defined by clarity, light, and a genuine passion for detail.
We are looking for an Architect or Architectural Technologist to join us in our studio in the heart of the South Downs National Park. Whether you are newly qualified or have years of experience behind you, we are far more interested in your character, your design eye, and your craft than your years on the clock.
This is a studio that runs at a human pace. We currently operate a 4-day week on full 5-day pay, a reduced hours policy we’re genuinely committed to building on. We believe the best work comes from a rested and inspired mind, and that’s a principle we intend to protect.
The Role: Taking the Reins
This isn’t just about filling a seat. It’s a chance for our practice to grow, and for all of us to absorb new ideas. We want to learn from you, and we hope you’ll learn from us.
You’ll take ownership of your projects day-to-day, working alongside the directors on design strategy and client relationships, comfortable chatting with builders on site in the morning and presenting a design narrative to clients in the studio in the afternoon.
You’ll steer projects through our 4D process:
- Discover — Listening carefully to uncover a client’s aspirations and turning them into a clear strategy.
- Design — Creating narratives through light, landscape, and form.
- Detail — Applying technical rigour to ensure the design is buildable, beautiful, and safe in every sense.
- Deliver — Managing the construction phase with the calm authority our clients rely on.
Who We’re Looking For
We need a self-starter, someone charismatic enough to engage with clients and confident enough to own their work. You might be a qualified Architect (ARB registered) or an Architectural Technologist (MCIAT or working towards it). What matters more than your title is your outlook.
The Charismatic Communicator
Residential architecture is deeply personal. You need to be a people person and a great listener, able to guide clients through the emotional journey of building a home with empathy and clarity.
The Creative Problem Solver
You have a natural instinct for how a building sits in its context. You use creative thinking to navigate complex site constraints, turning problems into elegant design opportunities that balance beauty with practical rigour.
The Design-Led Technician
You believe that design doesn’t stop at planning. To you, technical detailing and specifications are a creative act, the way we ensure the craft of the building is actually realised on site.
The Toolset
We use Vectorworks, but we care more about your architectural eye than your software history. If you’re proficient in other CAD platforms, SketchUp, or the Adobe Suite, we can teach you our workflow. What matters is your ability to get your ideas across, whether through a 3D model or a hand-drawn sketch.
Where We Are
Our studio sits in the South Downs National Park, five minutes from Midhurst and ten minutes from Petersfield. You’ll need your own transport, there’s no getting away from that. But what you get in return is this: deer grazing in the fields outside, red kites overhead, lunchtime walks through open countryside, and the kind of quiet that lets you actually think.
If you’ve been in a city practice and something in you is ready for a different rhythm, this might be exactly the right move.
Why George & James?
- 4-Day Week, 5-Day Pay — We currently operate a reduced hours policy we’re committed to building on. Four days in the studio, full salary.
- Full-time or Part-time — We value talent over a standard week and are genuinely open to both.
- Real Ownership — You’ll own your projects from start to finish, with the support of a close-knit team.
- Room to Grow — We want you to help us improve our processes and genuinely shape the future of the practice.
- The Environment — Views of fields, horses, birds, and the rolling South Downs. A place of clarity and quiet.
How to Apply
We want to hear your voice before we see a CV.
Record a voice note of no more than 60 seconds and email it to:
jobs@georgeandjames.co.uk
Tell us:
- Who you are.
- Why you want to join George & James.
- Why you are the person we’ve been looking for.
Please include your name, phone number, and a link to your portfolio or some examples of your work in the email.
If we resonate with your voice, we’ll be in touch for next steps.
