Spotlight on:
Narrative Practice
Creating a supportive community for women, individuals with disabilities, and those from the global majority.
What is Narrative Practice?
Narrative Practice is a non-profit architectural mentoring and research platform founded in March 2020 by University of Greenwich alumni, Dhruv Gulabchande (MArch Architecture Part 2, 2018).
Initially set up in response to the global challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, their aim is to improve diversity and representation within the architecture profession through mentoring support. They’re focused on breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for young people by providing them with the guidance and resources needed to succeed in their careers.
A key component of their work focuses on wellbeing driven with intent by Parisa Shahnooshi (BA Hons Architecture, 2015; MArch Architecture Part 2, 2019) ultimately ensuring that individuals have a space to engage with like-minded mentors who have navigated and succeeded in their careers despite facing similar challenges.
Narrative Practice are entirely volunteer-led, relying on the generous contributions of time and expertise from their mentors, totalling 16 members including seven University of Greenwich alumni. Their dedication is the backbone of Narrative Practice, enabling the offer of high-quality, personalised support to each of their mentees.
This structure enables them to remain autonomous, adaptable and focused on the needs of our growing community, ensuring that the mentoring programme and research initiatives have the greatest possible impact.
Supporting architects of the future
Their mission has since evolved to create a supportive community for women, individuals with disabilities, and those from a global majority background. They provide a space where these individuals can discuss their aspirations and challenges as they navigate their careers in architecture and the built environment.
From virtual sessions to in-person mentoring, their growth has remained sustainable because they believe in “quietly making active change”. Sessions has not only altered the pathways of over 740+ young individuals but has also sparked a commitment to continuing this positive impact. As such, the work at Narrative Practice remains focused on creating a long-term, meaningful difference.
The success of their programme is most vividly reflected in the achievements of its mentees. For example, Prity Chatterjee, a talented student initially mentored during the virtual sessions, progressed through the programme to secure a Part 1 Architectural Assistant position at HTA in London. Since then, Prity has undertaken various projects, from participating in the Home Grown Plus+ initiative and showcasing her videography work at the Rich Mix Arts Centre to volunteering in Caukin Studio’s live project in Guatemala. Now, as a Part 2 Architectural Assistant at SNHA, she continues to engage with NP, this time as a trainee mentor herself, demonstrating the long-term, cyclical impact of their programme.
Another compelling story is Jubilee’s journey with her mentor Yasmin Freeman (MArch Architecture Part 2, 2019). After completing her undergraduate degree, she took a year off to assess her suitability for a career in architecture, especially considering her disability.
Their involvement began with in-person career-related talks and progressed to offering her a site visit to a live project as well as supporting her thesis work on "The Revival of Community Connections in Western Urban Environments." This long-term relationship has not only improved her skills but, more importantly, boosted her confidence. She is now exploring year-out placements, starting the postgraduate application process for the coming year, whilst continuing to work part-time in the industry.
Pictured top to bottom: Prity Chatterjee and Jubilee
Supporting the Stephen Lawrence Scholarship
“Narrative Practice exemplifies the kind of sustained, meaningful support that emerging architects need to thrive in our profession
"The work of Narrative Practice is perfectly aligned with the Stephen Lawrence Scholarship by extending opportunities for underrepresented groups within architecture, ensuring that students not only receive financial support but also long-term, personalised mentoring to help them excel in their careers.
"Narrative Practice exemplifies the kind of sustained, meaningful support that emerging architects need to thrive in our profession. It is entirely complementary to the initiatives we are developing at Greenwich, including the Stephen Lawrence Scholarship. While the scholarship provides crucial financial support of £18,500 to break down barriers in architectural education, organisations like Narrative Practice create an equally vital network of mentorship and professional guidance. I'm particularly proud to have taught several members of the Narrative Practice team during their time at Greenwich – their commitment to supporting over 700 young people, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, exemplifies the values we aim to foster in our graduates. We need this holistic approach to support the next generation of architects to ensure that talent and passion, not background or barriers, determine who shapes our built environment."
- Rahesh Ram, Associate Professor in Architecture and Associate Head of Student Success for School of Design
Standing out
The team at Narrative Practice are keen to ensure that support for underrepresented voices remains an ongoing, evolving process. They believe that this type of support is crucial as individuals navigate the complexities of the profession. Their sustained monthly mentorship, lasting over four and a half years, offers a continuity that many other programmes cannot, reinforcing Narrative Practice’s commitment to providing long-term, meaningful support for young people.
Looking ahead
The single biggest change Narrative Practice would like to see is the integration of regular mentoring support into architectural education. Over multiple years of academic teaching, they have informally piloted this approach at several institutions, and the results show that additional mentoring significantly enhances students' experiences and outcomes. Embedding mentoring into design studio and professional practice modules would better prepare students for the realities of the profession. This additional support would help build confidence, develop their soft skills, and more effectively navigate the transition from academia to professional practice.
Recent achievements for the Narrative Practice team
Diversity in Action Award Winners 2023
A significant milestone for Narrative Practice was winning the Diversity in Action Award at the Thornton Education Trust (TET) 2023 Inspire Future Generations Awards. This recognition highlighted the impact of their work in promoting diversity within the architecture profession. Additionally, they were finalists in the Mentoring category, further validating the effectiveness of our initiatives. Since then, they have also contributed to the TET ENGAGE Toolkit, which offers best practice guidance for architectural practices looking to engage with mentoring and diversity.
Spearheading "Next Generation Mentoring"
Beyond mentoring, Narrative Practice have several research programmes in progress. Our "Next Generation Mentoring" programme promotes architecture as a career path for students from underrepresented backgrounds in London boroughs. The "Sessions School EPQ" programme provides a platform for disadvantaged young people to express their creativity and develop communication skills. "Form: Work Experience Framework" guides 14 to 18-year-olds from underrepresented backgrounds through professional career insights and hands-on workshops. These programmes have been particularly effective in reaching disadvantaged groups and sparking interest in architecture.
Recognition during RIBA's South Asian Heritage Month
Their programme’s influence is recognised across the industry. Narrative Practice has been celebrated during RIBA’s South Asian Heritage Month, and as part of their contribution to National Mentoring Day as well as being featured in the Architects’ Journal for their long-term mentoring work. They were also showcased in the Marketplace at Marsha Ramroop’s Building Inclusion book launch, highlighting their contributions to industry conversations around diversity.
Dhruv Gulabchande is the RIBA Rising Star 2024
In recognition of the continued impact of the programme, Narrative Practice founder, Dhruv Gulabchande, was named a RIBA Rising Star for 2024 and appointed to the London Festival of Architecture Curation Panel, underscoring their role in shaping the future of the built environment and reflecting Narrative Practice’s industry-wide respect.
Sophie Hassell-Richardson
Fundraising Manager
Alumni and Fundraising
