Celebrating 50 Years in Construction with Julian Steel

This summer, Associate Julian Steel is celebrating an incredible 50 years of working in the construction industry. To mark this milestone, we sat down with Julian to ask him some questions, giving him the opportunity to reflect on his remarkable career as an Architectural Technologist.

How did you start your career in construction?

It’s a funny story, really. My school had a career advisor who gave me an information leaflet on architecture because I liked technical drawing. I then left school, aged 16, and thought I would enjoy the summer off with my friends before entering the world of work. However, when I signed on for unemployment benefit, I was found a job within 10 days at a local practice! It was there that I started my training.

A lot has changed in 50 years – what do you think has changed for the better?

I think communication and collaboration are so much more integrated into our work now, and the biggest change has been fairly recently with the introduction of video calls. The immediacy of being able to have a video call with someone means you can learn so much more about them just by seeing them. It allows you to connect more, and what we do is all about connecting with people.

Another significant change is the style of working. Years ago, I was once told that under no circumstances would I be allowed to listen to music on my Sony Walkman!

What do you miss, from the things that no longer exist? 

Strangely, I miss a drawing board. Not for the speed of production but for the fact that it was quite a cathartic process; you didn’t mind working late into the evening on a board, it was relaxing – it was producing artwork – compared to that of using a computer system. Using a drawing board had a more immediate effect on the creativity of what we do.

Would I go back to it? No, I wouldn’t, because it is so much slower!

Placing technology aside, what skill have you used the most throughout your career? Where do you think this has had the biggest impact?

Problem solving is something that I naturally lean towards, and probably something I have practised the most throughout my career. It sits well with the skill of bringing parties together, who may have different views, and being able to forge a way forward – whether that’s finding an economic solution to a design or dealing with difficult situations. Being honest with what is actually achievable falls into this, too.

The other way of looking at that is leading less experienced members of staff and helping them to choose the right path when facing a problem. My years of experience mean I can keep a calm head, when they may find the situation stressful, and can coach them through coming to an effective solution which they can take forward themselves.

If you had to summarise your career in just a few words, what would they be?

I think it would be – a contribution to society. And I say that in the broadest sense, whether that’s through a building or the influence I’ve had on somebody.

Of all the projects you’ve worked on, which one makes you smile the most?

The project that I got the most buzz out of was the refurbishment of Aviva’s Atrium and Surrey House in Norwich, for a number of reasons. It was the first Grade I listed building I worked on, it was the first project where I collaborated with overseas partners, and it was an exciting design that was incredibly technically challenging. The result is one that I am really proud of.

Once complete, I had the opportunity to take my dad, a former Aviva employee, for a tour of the new facilities to show him what LSI had done to the space and the difference my work had made. It was a really special moment to share as father and son.

Give your best advice for someone starting out in the construction industry tomorrow.

To start in architecture, it really helps to have a deep passion. Even more so if you can channel it into making society better through the spaces we create for people.

When I used to interview young candidates coming into the business, they would show us portfolios full of beautiful drawings, but what we were really looking for was the right attitude and aptitude; pushing yourself, exploring, diving deep into something and really absorbing everything around you. If you have that, the rest can be taught.

What are you most proud of?

There are two elements for me to share when it comes to being proud.

First, I think that in any career, you have milestone moments. For me, one of those was when I saw the first building that I had been primarily responsible for, and realised that I had made a physical mark on the landscape for the next 30 to 40 years. And also knowing that my children can look at buildings and say, “my dad did that” – I just think it’s really cool.

Second, I hope, is the impact I have had on others as they experience their own career journeys, helping and guiding them to achieve their goals through coaching and mentoring. What I hope to have achieved is leaving things better than I found them, by giving individuals the confidence to grow and become their own person.

Finally, how are you celebrating 50 years in construction?

I’m not doing anything official, although I might be tempted to buy a round of cakes for the office!

Other than that, I’m reflecting on the journey from that cheeky 16-year-old so many years ago to where I am now, and what I have achieved for myself and others.

We took the opportunity to further celebrate Julian’s achievement by asking members of our team to share how he has impacted their own learning and development journeys.

Jordan Armstrong, Associate, Architectural Technologist: “I first met Julian while I was studying at college, when he came in to give a presentation about LSI Architects and introduced me to the role of an Architectural Technologist. In many ways, that presentation set me on the path to the career I have today.

One of the things I admire most about Julian is his willingness to share. He will happily pause whatever he is doing to talk something through with you, regardless of how small or trivial the question might seem. He genuinely cares about developing the people around him and giving newer members of the profession opportunities to learn.

Over the years, our relationship has developed from colleagues into a genuine friendship. One of the great milestones in my own career has been reaching the point where I can occasionally teach Julian something in return. I make sure to enjoy those moments and remind him of them regularly!

I can genuinely say that I would not have the knowledge, confidence or career I have today without Julian’s support, patience and generosity over the years. It has been a privilege to learn from him, to work alongside him and, most importantly, to call him a good friend.”

James Cooper, Architectural Technologist: “Julian is a fountain of knowledge (and vocabulary!) and I’ve had the pleasure of learning a lot from him over the last couple of years.

He’s always willing to make time to help anyone – though you need plenty of it because he likes a story! He’s a key part of the team and really embodies what we are about. I’ve learnt from Julian not just technically, but also about how to approach and think about things differently. His influence has definitely shaped me as a Technologist.”

Niah Shepherd, Architectural Apprentice: “One of the best things about sitting next to Julian is how much I’ve learnt from him over the past few years: from being able to ask him questions, get his opinion on project work and also on my university projects. Not to mention the countless construction books I’ve borrowed from him! His enthusiasm is infectious and I really enjoy having him as a desk neighbour.”