Architect CV Template
Architects design buildings and spaces that are functional, sustainable, and aesthetically compelling. UK employers seek ARB-registered architects with strong design portfolios, technical knowledge, and the ability to manage projects from concept through to completion. Your CV should balance creative vision with commercial awareness and regulatory knowledge.
How to write a Architect CV
An Architect CV must walk the line between creative distinction and ATS compliance. Your header should include "ARB Reg." and "RIBA" after your name if you hold Part 3 qualification — "Architect" is a protected title in the UK, and using it without ARB registration is a criminal offence. If you are Part 2 qualified, use "Architectural Assistant" and state your Part 3 timeline.
Your personal statement should name your project typology (residential, commercial, healthcare, education), the RIBA stages you typically lead, and a design highlight. "ARB-registered Architect with 9 years across mixed-use and residential sectors, most recently leading a £25M, 180-unit development from concept through to planning consent at first submission" communicates scale and capability concisely.
In the experience section, describe each project with its value, typology, RIBA stages covered, and your specific role (design lead, project architect, technical coordinator). Include planning and building regulation outcomes, sustainability credentials achieved (BREEAM rating, Passivhaus certification, EPC ratings), and any BIM coordination responsibilities. A common mistake is presenting architecture work as purely design — UK practices also value contract administration, specification writing, and site inspection experience.
Include your software proficiency — Revit is now expected for most UK practices, alongside AutoCAD, SketchUp, Rhino, and visualisation tools (Lumion, V-Ray, Enscape). Place a prominent portfolio link in your header. If you have won RIBA awards, been published in architectural journals, or contributed to design reviews, mention these achievements. Keep the CV to two pages, use clean typography that implies design sensibility, but resist ornamental layouts that ATS systems cannot parse. Your portfolio carries the visual story; your CV carries the career narrative.
What recruiters look for in a Architect CV
- ARB registration and RIBA membership (Part 1, 2, 3 progression)
- Portfolio link demonstrating design quality and range of project types
- Experience across RIBA work stages from concept through to construction
- BIM proficiency — Revit is now essential for most UK practices
- Knowledge of UK planning and building regulations
- Sustainability credentials (BREEAM, Passivhaus, net-zero design)
Key skills for a Architect CV
Example experience bullets for a Architect
Use these as inspiration — always tailor bullets to your own experience and achievements.
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Tailor my CV nowFrequently asked questions
Should my Architect CV be designed differently from other professions?
Your CV should be well-designed but ATS-compatible — avoid complex layouts, images, or infographics that ATS systems can't read. Show your design sensibility through clean typography, consistent spacing, and thoughtful hierarchy. Save your creative presentation for your portfolio. A beautiful CV that can't be parsed by recruitment software won't get you an interview.
How should I present my architecture portfolio alongside my CV?
Include a prominent link to your online portfolio (website preferred over PDF). Your CV should reference key projects with brief descriptions, while your portfolio shows the visual and technical depth. Ensure your portfolio includes process work (sketches, development, technical details) not just final renders — employers want to see how you think.
What's the difference between Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 on an architecture CV?
Always state your qualification level clearly: Part 1 (after undergraduate degree), Part 2 (after postgraduate diploma/masters), Part 3 (fully qualified, ARB-registered architect). Only use the title 'Architect' if you hold Part 3 and are ARB-registered — it's a protected title in the UK. If Part 2 qualified, use 'Architectural Assistant'.