My name is Bongani Muchemwa, I spent my early childhood in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe before moving to the UK (first to Leeds but then to London for postgraduate studies). I did my A levels up the road at Notre Dame Catholic College and I remember using the Leeds Met (now Leeds Beckett) library to study for my examinations.

• BA (Hons) Architecture

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you've been doing since you graduated

I’m now a fully qualified architect and designer. I am also now a visiting lecturer in architecture at the University of Westminster. I co-founded the design and architecture studio McCloy + Muchemwa (aka McMu) with a fellow Leeds Beckett graduate, Steven McCloy, in 2017. Our work has landed us a place in the Architects’ Journal 40 Under 40 profiles in the RIBA Journal and Wallpaper magazine next generation list UK. The collaboration between myself and Steven has been fruitful ever since we were students together back in 2007-2010. My time at university was completely transformational. I think at Leeds Beckett I discovered that I was capable, the spirit and the attitude in the studio instilled confidence and the general feeling that anything was possible, you just had to think it through and draw it.

What have been the highlights and challenges of your career so far?

The early highlight of my university career was the RIBA Yorkshire bronze medal that Steven and I were jointly awarded back in 2010 upon graduating. This really gave us some confidence about our studies and career paths. The next one would be the year I spent at Lord Richard Rodgers’ office in London after graduation. It was a shock that I got the job in the first place, as the UK and the rest of the world was still in recession and the architecture industry was one of the occupations hardest hit. At RSH+P I worked on large masterplans in Africa and Europe. It was hard work, but I learnt a lot. There was a certain beauty and spirit in RSH+P’s office: half the junior staff (junior architects) were composed of some of the world’s best and brightest graduates, each migrating to London for just this experience, they would compare portfolios and plan out their futures. Much of the staff was a pick ‘n’ mix of nationalities: Americans, Italians, Serbians, French, Germans. It was a great group, here the ‘melting pot’ cliché was applicable – like-minded individuals who had made a similar journey from all over the world. My interpersonal skills greatly improved. I learned a great deal about the processes and production of architecture (for real construction sites on the Chiswick project). The office has a good mix of young and very experienced older architects to look up to, one of them being the chairman of the practice, Lord Richard Rodgers. I had poured into books of the practice’s work as an undergraduate student and here I was sharing the same room as one of my heroes.

The next highlight would have to be our first built project as McMu back in 2017. This was an installation we did for Leeds Art Gallery. We won the commission and collaborated with every single stakeholder, from the city council to the leadership group from the library attached to the art gallery. This project and others like this one put our little practice on the map. However, the challenge like many small businesses is to make it grow, which we are hopeful that it will do in the next coming years.

How has your experience studying at Leeds Beckett influenced you and your career?

The university was not far from home, but it was far enough to start afresh. My first tutor, Rashid Ali, a temporary member of the staff, was encouraging to all his students, especially to me and Steven and he left a lasting impression. The library became a second home to Steve and I. Looking back, our undergraduate education could be likened to one drawn-out discussion, we talked, and we talked to everyone. These ‘late night bull sessions’ always happened in the library or at our flat with other students and were the laboratory of ideas. In short, I would say the spirit of dialogue, thinking things through and critical thought were fostered at Leeds Beckett and are critical skills for architects.

What advice would you give someone thinking about studying this course?

Leeds Beckett has one of the best architecture libraries in Yorkshire, and an amazing faculty. I would highly recommend the Architecture Department for those looking to study the subject up north.

What's next for you?

Continue to work hard on projects that are meaningful to society and grow the McMu brand and practice into a sustainable business.