Scott MacTavish - Becoming an Architect, Surely there are easier ways to make money?

Published: Nov. 7, 2021, 4:06 p.m.

In 2005, Scott Mactavish moved away from mainstream Architecture and joined an architectural recruitment company in London, recruiting Architects at all levels for the local market. This is as fate happens we met, as when I went into recruitment leaving Architecture, Scott was one of my Directors!

Join us for a rough and ready episode late into the evening, battling technology, to have a no holds barred conversation about the Architecture profession and the underbelly of the recruitment industry.

Scott studied his Masters in Architecture at the Bartlett School of Architecture and his BA Architecture degree at Manchester University. His professional industry experience spans education, commercial and residential sectors, gained at award winning design practices including CRTKL, Austin Smith Lord and Sheppard Robson. 

Scott has also worked as a tutor at the Bartlett during his Masters. In 2005, he moved away from mainstream Architecture and joined an architectural recruitment company in London, recruiting Architects at all levels for the local market. After living in Australia for a short while and a 2 year stint as a Director for a small agency in London, Scott moved to New York in 2015 to shake things up and set up an office. He now identifies as a true New Yorker beeping in traffic and rushing around (pre-pandemic at least) with a pumpkin spiced latte in hand during the fall (aka autumn).

Scott's professional experience includes working for Clients such as BP, Royal Bank of Scotland and Manchester University. Scott also worked in Melbourne for a couple of years working as an architect for the Buchan Group, specifically working on the Star City Casino in Sydney.

Scott can advise on what employers look for in a potential candidate, noting the subtle transatlantic differences as well as advise on portfolio compilation and interview techniques. Over the years Scott's Clients have included Zaha Hadid Architects, Rogers Stirk Harbor, KPF and SOM. 

Although now based in Brooklyn, Scott tries to get back to Europe as often as possible (pandemic permitting!) combining his love of travel with his work where possible. Recently however, Scott has picked back up his love of skiing; exploring the delights of up-state New York and living proof that skiing is really like riding a bike - you never forget!

You can find Scott Mactavish on Archinect here: https://archinect.com/scottmactavish

Scott is also on LinkedIn here: