FIA Journal
Learning, confidence and not knowing everything
Hello,
Something that keeps coming up for me, even after years of practice and content creation, is imposter syndrome.
It doesn't show up the same way it did early on. Back then it was about not knowing enough. Now it's more about questioning whether I have enough experience to be the person sharing this information at all. I regularly catch myself wondering if I should know more, have done more, or be further along before putting ideas out there.
What has helped is recognising that architecture and construction are not solo pursuits. I'm not doing this on my own. Behind First In Architecture and The Detail Library is a team of experienced people, each with different strengths. Some are stronger technically, some are clearer communicators, some have deeper site experience. Together, we're far more rounded than any one person could be.
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Architecture and construction are not solo pursuits
I've also learned that confidence in this profession rarely comes from "knowing everything". It comes from checking, questioning, documenting, and being willing to say "this is how I understand it right now".
In a way, confidence is just being confident enough to ask questions.
A few small moments from January, away from the screen. London, York, country walks and old man Wally.
WHAT'S NEW AT FIRST IN ARCHITECTURE
Recent Articles
Some of the articles that we published during January.
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Detail Clinic Ep 07
Our recent Detail Clinic video is the last in our masonry cavity wall series for now. This one tackles the challenge of detailing a level threshold. Next month we'll be looking at timber frame construction.
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Detailing Party and Boundary Walls
This article takes an in-depth look at party and boundary wall detailing along with the Party Wall Act.
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Playful Architecture
A bit of brightness for these grey January days β Valanne explores how play intersects with architecture and how you can bring playfulness into your designs.
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New Details
Latest addition to the Detail Library features a selection of bifold, sliding and pivot door details in collaboration with Fluid Glass.
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SOMETHING YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN
In Case It's Useful
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Our House Extensions Book is now available in print, with four bundles to choose from. This is the perfect time to buy.
Our winter sale starts today offering 25% off all items in our store, both print and digital.
Use code WINTER25 at checkout to enjoy the discount on any item.
Hurry, sale is for a limited time only.
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A Quiet Reminder
Feeling unsure doesn't mean you're behind. It usually means you care about doing things properly. Most confidence in architecture comes not from certainty, but from having a process you trust when certainty isn't there.
Thank you for being here and taking the time to read, we really appreciate your support. Wishing you a confident start to the month ahead.
All our best,
Emma & the First in Architecture team
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Detail Clinic Series
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