2. Interview:
You should document the process of getting your interview. You should produce a range of questions and also a list of
interviewees.
You should provide an unedited transcript of the interview as well as at least one draft of it.
Interviews can be written in whatever style you prefer.
3. Interview: Greg Groom
Question 1: what drew you to architecture itself in the first place, to make you build your career and life around it?
Question 2: Tell me about your business, when was it founded and when did you take over?
Question 3: what is it that makes an architectural firm so prestigious and what work do you have to design for
you to be respected as a well known architect?
Question 4: what is your favorite city/country due to its architecture, and why?
Question 5: what is the hardest part of studying architecture and when did you fully
qualify as one?
Question 6: what work are you most proud of, and why?
Question 7: what inspires you for the type of work you produce?
Question 8: what do you find rewarding about architecture and why?
Question 9: Do you want to pass your business on to one of your children?
Question 10: what is one regret you have about your career in architecture?
4. Interview: Harry Groom
Question 1: what made you want to start studying architecture at university?
Question 2: what did you do before you began your degree, what did you do to
prepare for beginning your 7 years studying ?
Question 3: would you say architecture is an art, and is this a passion of yours?
Question 4: do you think if your family didn’t own a business in architecture you would of
still aspired to be one?
Question 5: have you visited any cities or countries due to their architectural
history?
Question 6: what to you imagine designing when you qualify as a chartered architect?
Question 7: where would you like to base yourself to build up your
career?
Question 8: what's your favorite building your father has designed, and why?
Question 9: what is the the thrill of architecture ? Why does it excite you?
5. Interview: Olivia Groom
Question 1: What do you like about architecture ?
Question 2: Do you enjoy the more abstract and artistic side of architecture
rather than its complex design element?
Question 3: What is your favorite work your father has designed?
Question 4: What has it been like growing up around architecture?
Question 5: Are you proud of your fathers success and business?
Question 6: have you ever aspired to be an architect or does it not appeal to
you in that respect?
Question 7: where have you visited that made you appreciate the art of architecture?
Question 8: why did this place give you a different outlook ? Was it the aesthetic of the
buildings of the culture?
Question 9: if you had to tell your father one thing you’ve noticed about architecture
through his work what would it be?
6. Copy:
All the other written elements of your fanzine are up to you but should be documented here. If you decide to write a
review, a polemic, an article or anything else, it needs to be documented here.
Drafts are good so it is worth writing a first draft then producing a second which not only checks for spelling and grammar
errors but also ensures that your work has a consistent style, quality and structure.
Recording your research, as and when it happens, is also a very strong idea. If you need to look up a fact or read an article,
record that.
7. Greg Groom interview
1. "I'd say what first drew me to architecture in the first place was my father owning the business that I have now taken
over with my brother, Matthew groom. I started working for my own father at the age of 16, making coffees and doing
copy work. It was a bigger firm at that time in the center of York on lendal street. Being around architecture all my life just
drew me into the career, I knew the skills that were acquired from a young age."
2." my business Brierley Groom is an architecture practice in York, England. It was originally founded in 1750 by
the architect John Carr, actually making it the longest running practice in the Uk, and one of the oldest in the world. It was
once run by Walter Brierley, known for having created over 300 buildings in the York area and across the North of
England. My company has won several design awards which I'm very proud of. Our practice now operates from an office
in York at a business park in upper Poppleton and is currently owned by me and my brother, we're partners, we took it on
after our father Keith Groom passed away in 1999."
3. "well, architects typically tend to think about architecture all the time in their every day lives, I know I do anyway. After
years of it being your career, you tend to think of everything in the mind of an architect. Everywhere I go I analyze
buildings and start looking at materials, lighting, massing etc. Architects tend to have a sense of ownership on every
project they work on, and as an architect, we are given certain project parameters that help guide the direction of our
projects. We are then given the freedom to pursue the artistic embodiment of those parameters. People tend to respect
this work ethic and the profession itself, you'll always be an architect even when it isn't your job anymore and that’s what
makes it so prestigious. Even if our clients don’t really understand what we do, there is a perception that architects are
ethical and responsible and will endeavor to make the right decision to our own detriment."
4. "I'd say my favorite place I have visited due to its architectural landmarks has to be Hong Kong. Hong kong has the
highest number of skyscrapers and its incredible to look at, at night Hong kong looks pretty cool with all the lights and
8. 5. "
6. "my commercial project on Scarborough RNLI lifeboat station is what I am most proud of, the one I took you to visit. My
business has a good relationship with local authorities and consultants to achieve the best results. We have also done the RNLI
lifeboat stations in Bridlington, Redcar, Cleethorpes and Whitby. I think I really got to prove my expertise in designing the
Scarborough lifeboat station. We pride ourselves on providing innovative buildings, I think it was designed as both
contemporary and traditional architecture."
7. "well, as architects we try and make every project an inspired piece of design. I like to make every project I work on both
exciting and practical."
8. "I find architecture rewarding as people can admire your work, and be a part of it. If im designing someones home, I know
when im done they can enjoy what they are paying me for, like a new extension I've desinged for them to spend family time in ,
so I design it to their needs and how I would want it to be."
9. "I'm hoping to pass it on to harry who is currently studying architecture at univeristy will take on my buisness, but either way
I'll support him. If he wants to go off to london or a bigger city and become as successful as he can, I'd be a proud dad.
Hopefully when I'm ready to retire he can come back and take on the family name, but I wont be retiring anytime soon."
10. "I'd say one regret I have is not moving to somewhere like London with my buisness, I think I could of done really well there.
However, its not really a regret, as I don’t feel my buisness has suffered being founded and staying in york, its well known and
respected round here and has been for years. I'm lucky enough that I didn’t have to set up a whole buiness from srcatch, and it
was just kind of set in stone, giving me a good career prospect and keeping a stable family home for my children being able to
support them for any oppurtunties life throws at them, as well as doing what I know and thoroughly enjoy. So yeah, its not all
bad is it Liv!"
9. My interview:
1. "I find the way buildings can create a place into something interesting and full of life very appealing, it makes a country,
city, town or village more drawn to."
2. "I definitely prefer the more abstract and modern architecture, but I enjoy the work of old historic buildings that are
quite run down, it builds character. I have always struggled with the design element of architecture as I cant see things in
3d- my father taught me that to be a successful architect you need to be able to imagine the building in your head and
the layout, before putting it to paper."
3. " my favorite work my father designed has to be my first house, as I got to live in it and call it home. I remember he
drew my in the window on cad in the window of my new room when he was designing it, I was about 6 years old."
4. " I love my dad career, his business is very family orientated growing up around it makes me appreciate buildings
especially when I visit new places or when he takes me to see his work."
5. "I am really proud of my fathers success, I find it quite a rewarding job and he definitely makes sure he helps others
when designing something they want. I love all his work around York and his RNLI lifeboat stations around the country. I
can tell he likes the fact working with RNLI involves helping others and that’s something to be proud of- he's very hard
working and driven, even when having to juggle 5 kids on the side."
6. " I have never aspired to be an architect myself no, however I find it really interesting and love the idea of it if I was
talented.
7. venice was somewhere that gave me a different appreciation of architecture, I couldn’t stop taking photos. I found it
amazing that the whole city was built on water, and the colour of the buildings with the reflection of water was incredible
to look at. I love italy on a whole, however the aesthetic element was the main attraction."
8. My dads work has made me notice that the world is built up on architecture. We have built our world up on places,
where people and buisness' belong, giving people a place to be on a day to day basis. Whether it be your home, work or
your favourite shopping centre, architects provide somewhere you can appreciate and enjoy spending your time in,
which is pretty cool I think."
10. I decided to do my fanzine on architecture due to it being a big part of my life. I wanted to involve my artistic outlook on
architecture with the involvement of my dads buisness. I wanted to create my own art work with abstract designs and ideas,
along with the actual design element with photographs and interviewing my father on his career. I sat him down and asked him
some questions that I've never actually felt the need to know about till now, so ive learnt a lot and appreciate his work ethic a lot
more, its made me realise how proud I am and everything he does. I started by asking him what drew him to revolving his life
around arcitecture in the beginning.
" So what was it dad that actually made you want to be an architect, was it just always going to happen for you and uncle Matt
with your dad being one?" I guess I always knew that was why but this is the first time he actually told me how It started.
"I'd say what first drew me to architecture in the first place was my father owning the business that I have now taken over with
my brother, Matthew groom. I started working for my own father at the age of 16, making coffees and doing copy work that kind
of thing. It was a bigger firm at that time in the center of York on lendal street. Being around architecture all my life just drew me
into the career, I knew the skills that were acquired from a young age."
I didn’t actually realise my dad worked for my grandads firm from being a teenager, made me think I should be making his coffees
and doing paperwork at the office.
"who had your buisness before your dad? Because obviously it has brierley in the name, its been passed on for years hasn’t it?"
"yeah, so my business Brierley Groom is an architecture practice in York, England. It was originally founded in 1750
by the architect John Carr, actually making it the longest running practice in the Uk, and one of the oldest in the world. It
was once run by Walter Brierley, known for having created over 300 buildings in the York area and across the North of England.
My company has won several design awards which I'm very proud of. Our practice now operates from an office in York at a
business park in upper Poppleton and is currently owned by me and my brother, we're partners, and we took it on after our
father Keith Groom passed away in 1999." This was quite eye opening for me in the sense I realised my dads buisness is really
quite something that he's took on as a legacy almost. "but what makes being an architect so prestigious and a respect career?
Whenever my friendd ask what you do and I tell them theyre sometimes quite shocked, but to me its just your job I guess." My
dads answer to this took me back a bit, it was nice to see how passionate he was about his job and what he does.
11. I remember I got him a postcard of scarborough to say well done for that project, its pretty impressive, I also bought an RNLI
cap when we went to visit, dads always supported the charity due to his work hes done for them, he's good like that. " what
inspires you to produce the kind of work you do, like the design element?"
"well, as architects we try and make every project an inspired piece of design. I like to make every project I work on
both exciting and practical." Its true, all his work is really exciting and looks amazing.
"what do you find so rewarding about it all dad?"
"I find architecture rewarding as people can admire your work, and be a part of it. If im designing someones home, I
know when im done they can enjoy what they are paying me for, like a new extension I've desinged for them to spend family
time in , so I design it to their needs and how I would want it to be." I remember when dad designed our extension in our last
house, it was so nice having that extension and the fact he designed it for our family home, we just spent all our time in there.
"do you want to pass on your buisness to any of us?"
I knew he would say my brother harry as harry is obsessed with architecture. "I'm hoping to pass it on to harry who is
currently studying architecture at univeristy will take on my buisness, but either way I'll support him. If he wants to go off to
london or a bigger city and become as successful as he can, I'd be a proud dad. Hopefully when I'm ready to retire he can
come back and take on the family name, but I wont be retiring anytime soon." I sort of knew this was going to be the answer,
and I know dad says sometimes he wishes he had gone to london on to bigger projects or just a change on scenery, which is
what borught me on to my last question which I found the most interesting to hear. "do you have an y regrets at all with your
career in architecture, from when it all started?"
"well I started in york, went to manchester to study it which were the best years of my life, then came back here and began
my career in it bringing up you lot while your mother stayed at home. I'd say one regret I have is not moving to somewhere
like London with my buisness, I think I could of done really well there. However, its not really a regret, as I don’t feel my
buisness has suffered being founded and staying in york, its well known and respected round here and has been for years. I'm
lucky enough that I didn’t have to set up a whole buiness from srcatch, and it was just kind of set in stone, giving me a good
career prospect and keeping a stable family home for my children being able to support them for any oppurtunties life throws
12. "well, architects typically tend to think about architecture all the time in their every day lives, I know I do anyway.
After years of it being your career, you tend to think of everything in the mind of an architect. Everywhere I go I
analyze buildings and start looking at materials, lighting, massing etc, even when we go into york for the day you know I
always point out houses I would love to live in round york or something like that. Architects tend to have a sense of
ownership on every project they work on, and as an architect, we are given certain project parameters that help guide
the direction of our projects. We are then given the freedom to pursue the artistic embodiment of those parameters.
People tend to respect this work ethic and the profession itself, you'll always be an architect even when it isn't your job
anymore and that’s what makes it so prestigious. Even if our clients don’t really understand what we do, there is a
perception that architects are ethical and responsible and will endeavor to make the right decision to our own
detriment." Its true what dad said. Ive never thought about it but all he ever does it admire buildings and places he
would love to live or do up and convert, its funny as ive never thought of it like that, but dad is always thinking in the
mind of an architect. " whats your favourite place we've visited due to the arcitecture?"
"I'd say my favorite place I have visited due to its architectural landmarks has to be Hong Kong, when we went for
christmas and stayed with your grandma, you were pretty young might not remember. Hong kong has the highest
number of skyscrapers and its incredible to look at, at night Hong kong looks pretty cool with all the lights and high rise
buildings, the third most high rise buildings in the world actually. I think because all the complexes are packed so closely
together above land makes it quite remarkable really, yeah Hong kong without a doubt." I did remember that christmas,
only just. I went a lot when I was younger but havent been for years, we have family there on my mums side so dad went
a lot when he was with my mum, I always look at the photos hes took from there.
" What work are you most proud of dad?"
"my commercial project on Scarborough RNLI lifeboat station is what I am most proud of, the one I took you to visit.
My business has a good relationship with local authorities and consultants to achieve the best results. We have also done
the RNLI lifeboat stations in Bridlington, Redcar, Cleethorpes and Whitby. I think I really got to prove my expertise in
designing the Scarborough lifeboat station. We pride ourselves on providing innovative buildings, it was designed as
13. I decided to explore all the different parts of architecture in my life, an interview on myself would be interesting to get
my own perspective. My brother harry asked me some questions, which I answered on the spot. "so liv, what do you
like about architecture?"
"I find the way buildings can create a place into something interesting and full of life very appealing, it makes a
country, city, town or village more drawn to." I didn't realise how much architecture has taught me from gorwing up
around it, I love living in york and the variety of architectural landscapes, its really historic and quite similar to
somewhere like cambridge, but it also has modern elements to it which are really appealing to the city. "do you enjoy
the more artistic and abstract approach rather than the complex design?" "I definitely prefer the more abstract and
modern architecture, but I enjoy the work of old historic buildings that are quite run down, it builds character. I have
always struggled with the design element of architecture as I cant see things in 3d- my father taught me that to be a
successful architect you need to be able to imagine the building in your head and the layout, before putting it to paper."
This then lead on to work my dad has completed and how I still appreciate his projects, which I really do, even if I find it
quite hard to comprehend as I don’t think I have the talent that made dad and brothers do. " my favorite work my
father designed has to be my first house, as I got to live in it and call it home. I remember he drew my in the window on
cad in the window of my new room when he was designing it, I was about 6 years old." When my dad first desigined my
house I was quite young, but looking back it was a really fun time. I remember I had to sleep in my brothers room for
weeks whilst it was all being built and converted. I came home from school one day and they had done my whole room,
got all the new furniture and painted the walls for me, as a little girl this was a big thing for me as my dad had done it all
from scratch.
" I love my dads career, his business is very family orientated growing up around it makes me appreciate
buildings especially when I visit new places or when he takes me to see his work.
I am really proud of my fathers success, I find it quite a rewarding job and he definitely makes sure he helps
others when designing something they want. I love all his work around York and his RNLI lifeboat stations around the
country. I can tell he likes the fact working with RNLI involves helping others and that’s something to be proud of- he's
14. I don’t wanto go into architecture myself, but I hope my brother does well with his career, I hoped doing a fanzine on
something close to my family would show my appreciation for their hard work. My dads work has made me notice that
the world is built up on architecture. We have built our world up on places, where people and buisness' belong, giving
people a place to be on a day to day basis. Whether it be your home, work or your favourite shopping centre, architects
provide somewhere you can appreciate and enjoy spending your time in, which is pretty cool I think. "where have you
been that really drew you to the architecture and its scenery?"
"venice was somewhere that gave me a different appreciation of architecture, I couldn’t stop taking photos. I found
it amazing that the whole city was built on water, and the colour of the buildings with the reflection of water was
incredible to look at. I love italy on a whole, however the aesthetic element was the main attraction." Ive done a bit of
artwork on venince for this fanzine, as I really love the fact I could use the colours with watercolour paints and make it
all seem abstract and magical, as venince is hard to capture unless you see it in real life.
