Danya Boothway

I am a 23 year-old aspiring architect who received a 2.1 BSc in Architecture in 2022. I was born in South Africa, I grew up in Dubai and Oman, and I have been residing in the UK since 2016. I have lived a very nomadic lifestyle, and I have a great passion for both education and extracurricular opportunities. A new opportunity is a new experience and therefore a new set of skills to be gained.

Trainee Designer - M Price Group, Reading Office.

9 Months (03/10/22 – Now)

Responsibilities and Achievements

• Drafting and ordering the components for a variety of specialist curtain wall and window designs, using AutoCAD and Microsoft Excel.
• Drawing and marking up spigot brackets, pressings, back trays and window packs ranging from 1:1 – 1:20 detail.
• Identifying, quantifying and ordering fixings and insulation for the curtain wall and window packs.
• Maintaining the organization and upkeep of purchase requisitions, handover documents and drawing numbers.

Mentee, RIBA Mentor Programme - Jestico + Whiles.

3 Months (11/21 – 02/22)

Responsibilities and Achievements

• Engaging in meetings that focused on virtually touring the practice, the stages of a project, recently completed projects, and reviewing our CVs and portfolios.
• Enquiring about Part 1 roles within the practice and taking on constructive criticism regarding my CV and portfolio.
• Receiving an insight into the role and lifestyle of a Part 1 Assistant and the potential dynamics and roles within a medium sized practice.

Assembly Volunteer - Connections Exhibition.

1 Month (05/22 – 06/22)

Responsibilities and Achievements

• Collaborating to organise, cut, refine, and assemble the End of Year Show for The Reading School of Architecture.
• Training to use the band-saw to cut the plywood boards used to mount the student’s work.
• Training to use the angle-grinder and grinder to cut and refine the main frame metal poles.
• Assisting in the organising, assembling, and securing the metal pole mainframe follwed by the plywood boards.

Assembly Volunteer - Live Build Project 2022.

2 Days (09/04/22 – 30/04/22)

Responsibilities and Achievements

• Collaborating to build a sustainable, reusable, hand-constructed shelter alongside UoR faculty members, Reading architecture students, Peter Corbett, Piers Taylor, and other built environment professionals.
• Being interviewed for the short film on the project.
• Teaching myself, then others, to tie the lashings used to bind the main frame of the shelter together.

Social Media Rep’ - Reading Architecture Society.

1 Year (06/20 - 06/21)

Responsibilities and Achievements

• Running a platform that aimed to extend the knowledge and engagement of Reading architecture students.
• Creating original content through Instagram for our student followers during lockdown including: mental health upkeep tips, advice for new and returning students, and songs that give you motivation.
• Organising and running weekly virtual studio meetings.

Exhibit Co-Creator - Reading Assembly:Care

6 Months (03/21 - 06/21)

Responsibilities and Achievements

• Designing an interactive, virtual collage for the brief ‘Architecture Cares’.
• Engaging in multiple meetings on Microsoft Teams to conceptualise, refine, and execute the final product.
• Reminding people how architecture cares for us; our experiences, memories, identity and growth.

I graduated with a 2.1 BSc in Architecture from Reading University in 2022.

GQA Qualifications in Schueco Doors & Door Fittings, and Windows & Window Fittings.

Three ‘B’ grade A-Levels in Maths, Chemistry and Biology.

Ten ‘A-A*’ GCSE Grades including Maths and English.