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This week meet Tom Noonan, a 2010 °×С½ãÂÛ̳ alumnus of MArch Architecture.

Tom is now an associate at Hawkins\Brown Architects and has worked on a number of projects for °×С½ãÂÛ̳, including the °×С½ãÂÛ̳ Bartlett School of Architecture's new space, 22 Gordon Street, due to open in a few weeks.

Why did you choose to study this subject and how has it informed your career path?

I had a passion for both art and science at school and studying architecture allowed me to combine the two. I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Nottingham and throughout the application process, my eyes were opened to the potential of the subject - architecture straddled a vast, varied and infinite array of subjects and issues that went far beyond my expectations.

Throughout my early studies, I had never deviated from the idea of a traditional vocation in architecture: I would graduate, work in practice, and at some point in the future, set up on my own. When I arrived at the °×С½ãÂÛ̳ Bartlett School of Architecture to study my Master's degree, I was offered insights into alternative worlds in which architects can play a part - film, art, academia and writing, to name but a few. Students and academics alike were experimenting with innovative and surprising forms of architectural practice and I was excited by the world of opportunities that was presented to me throughout my time at the Bartlett.

After graduating from °×С½ãÂÛ̳, I spent the following months working on art installations, small-scale architectural projects, drawings and exhibitions. I collaborated with friends and enjoyed the variety and creativity of the work I was doing. After a while, I decided I wanted to build! The idea of working on a large, complex building project, with a collaborative team of architects, engineers and designers, was attractive. I started working at Hawkins\Brown Architects and have been lucky enough to work on exciting projects across all sectors and stages. I also teach a design unit at the University of Greenwich, which keeps me on my toes and allows me to keep an eye on the ever-changing world of academia.

What was the most interesting thing you did, or got involved with, while at °×С½ãÂÛ̳?

Architecture is all-consuming, and my time at °×С½ãÂÛ̳ was mainly spent between the design studios, library and tutorials. I was lucky enough to be surrounded by incredibly talented and interesting people and was fascinated by the knowledge and creativity that permeated throughout our building. The design unit system that the school embraces fosters a sense of camaraderie between fellow students and academics. Annual field trips to Berlin and Copenhagen were an opportunity to spend time with your colleagues, tutors and collaborators in the context of inspiring environments and cities.

What do you miss most from your time at °×С½ãÂÛ̳?

I've never really left! I've spent the past four years at Hawkins\Brown working on a number of projects for °×С½ãÂÛ̳, including two buildings for the °×С½ãÂÛ̳ Bartlett School of ArchitectureÌý- 22 Gordon Street, which opens in a few weeks - and . I'm also working on a centre for advanced robotics and manufacturing for the Bartlett and °×С½ãÂÛ̳ Engineering, which will be based at , in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

It was very strange, and rather terrifying, returning to meet my old tutors, this time with them as my clients. Once the nerves had been quashed, I relished the opportunity to work on theseÌýprojects, where collaborating and combining our mutual skills exceeds the sum of our individual parts.

I'm very lucky to have maintained this connection to the Bartlett and °×С½ãÂÛ̳ as I am certain I would have missed the boundless imagination of the staff and students. I certainly don't miss the old building!

What one piece of advice would you like to share with °×С½ãÂÛ̳ students?

Have fun, but don't be complacent! Embrace every opportunity you can and enjoy the fact you are surrounded by some of the best minds in your field, in one of the best cities in the world. It is one time in your life where you can really try and push the boundaries, experiment, observe and learn. It's also the best time to make mistakes, from which great things can happen.

If you were back at °×С½ãÂÛ̳ for the day what one thing would you do?

My final year at °×С½ãÂÛ̳ was spent at the drawing board with pen, ink and drafting film. Over the past few years working with the Bartlett, I've seen incredible advancements in the technologies used in the production of architectural information and building components. If I had a day, I would wake up early, take a crash course in robotics and build myself a new drawing board and stool!

Who inspires you and why?

If I have to pick one, I would have to say the author John Fante, who has had a presence in my life since I first read his novels in my teens. I recently re-read Ask the Dust, and was reminded of the raw energy and emotion that he managed to convey through simple and unpretentious prose. His semi-autobiographical stories describe the struggles and hardship that he faced trying to make it as a young writer in Los Angeles, and I have always admired Fante's passion and persistence. He brought the page, and the city, to life through his writing and I hope to achieve this through architecture and drawings.

What would it surprise people to know about you?

The drawings from my final year project at the Bartlett are housed in the .