Innovation, inspiration, impact: Shawn Adams (Architecture MA, 2020)

Shawn Adams took advantage of every opportunity he was offered during his time studying Architecture MA at the Royal College of Art (RCA). This has paid dividends in his working life. He lives and breathes architecture, building on the skills he learned and the connections he made at the RCA to grow his craft years into the future.

Discover Shawn’s journey at the RCA.

Image Credit: Tobi Sobowale

Why did you choose the Royal College of Art?

I knew I wanted to become an architect, and postgraduate study is part of that journey. I set my sights on the RCA – I’d heard that it was a great institution for developing critical thinking, and I identified with RCA alumni. In particular, I wanted to follow in the footsteps of the inspirational Black RCA alumni I was aware of.

Not that many people in my family had gone to university, so getting into the RCA was a real milestone for me. Later, earning the Architects’ Journal Post-Graduate Student Prize for my final RCA project was another high.

Where are you now?

Every day is different. I teach undergraduate architecture. I co-run a design studio. I do a lot of architectural writing, and I run my own design practice. I’ve got lots of different roles.

I do think my work is part of who I am. Everyone who knows me knows that architecture is my passion, and I feel lucky to be paid to do something I love.

Working with young people and seeing the impact my work has is what I love the most.

I co-founded design practice Power Out of Restriction (POoR) with some friends. We work with young people to have positive impacts on their communities. Seeing our young mentees create things, designing opportunities for young people who would not otherwise have the access or the agency to do these kinds of things, is truly fulfilling.

Too many young people don’t know about the creative industries or what architects or designers do. I like showing them they can have a creative career, that this can be the thing they do full time. That there are people like them, with similar upbringings, who have gone on to pursue their dreams.

I don’t think I’ve yet scratched the surface of my career. My POoR co-founders and I won the London Design Festival’s Emerging Design Medal, and the Thought and Education Trust’s Mentoring Medal. I’m happy and proud with where I am, but there’s still so much potential and room for growth. I’ve seen and been inspired by people like me doing great work, and I hope I can be that role model for the next generation.

What impact has the RCA had on your career?

Studying at the RCA was inspiring. Everyone is doing something incredible – they’ve got a massive exhibition coming up, or they’re working on a collection with the V&A, or travelling to the other side of the world. You can’t overlook anyone! The RCA gave me the power of a network, and that’s very important.

Another great thing about the RCA is they teach you how to approach a project, and how to think for yourself. It’s changed the way I think about architecture and design and transformed my critical thinking skills – that's something that I couldn't have developed on my own.

Why study at the RCA?

The RCA is a world-class institution, and somewhere you can really make things happen if you take the initiative. It’s not just about working hard in class – you want to use everything available to you to build your profile.

Make sure that while you’re at the RCA, you’re attending events, getting introduced to people, making those connections. Be a go-getter, and lean on the institution to get a leg up!

About the RCA Graduate Careers Report 2024

This interview was carried out for the RCA Graduate Careers Report 2024. You can read the report on this webpage.

Between November and December 2023 1,797 RCA alumni completed a survey about their experiences at the College and where their careers have taken them since graduating. Respondents hold degrees across disciplines and include graduates from before 1980 to 2023. Data gathered from these graduates, along with alumni interviews, reflects the breadth of potential that results from studying at the RCA.