From Drafts To Drinks: Navigating The London Architecture Scene With Daniel K Poku-Davies

In this Architecture Social conversation (around 42 minutes), Stephen Drew is joined by Daniel K Poku-Davies, an architectural designer and co-founder of Our Space, to talk about networking and how to navigate the London architecture scene. It is a practical, encouraging session on building genuine relationships, getting past the nerves and turning everyday conversations into long-term career opportunities.

Who this is for

Students, Part 1 and Part 2 architectural assistants, and early-career designers who want to build their professional network but find networking awkward or intimidating. It is equally useful for practice leaders and mentors thinking about how to bring younger team members into industry events and conversations.

Learning outcomes

1. You will be able to reframe networking as relationship building rather than transactional self-promotion.
2. You will be able to use simple openers to start conversations with people you do not know.
3. You will be able to find relevant industry and cross-disciplinary events to attend.
4. You will be able to set a realistic, repeatable networking habit that builds confidence over time.
5. You will be able to combine an in-person presence with an online profile to support your career.
6. You will be able to identify how practices and senior leaders can foster networking skills in younger staff.

Networking is relationships, not business cards

Daniel reframes networking away from the stiff, transactional image many people dislike. His starting point is curiosity about people: informal chats, coffees and dinners where the goal is to understand someone rather than to extract a deal. Opportunities tend to follow trust, and trust is built over time through genuine conversation.

Getting past the nerves

Both Stephen and Daniel are candid that networking can feel nerve-wracking, and that confidence is built rather than innate. The advice is to be yourself, talk about your passions, and not try to be someone else. Starting small, introducing yourself and staying for an hour is enough at first.

A simple opener that works

A reliable technique is to ask the other person about themselves and their work. Most people enjoy talking about what they do, so questions such as what do you design, or what are you working on, keep a conversation flowing without pressure.

Look beyond architecture

Daniel encourages meeting people from other disciplines, including engineering, construction and finance. He references events run by bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Building, and the value of being in a room with contractors, manufacturers and peers who may become future collaborators or leaders.

Where to find events

Practical sources include Eventbrite, RIBA events, the London Festival of Architecture, the Young Architects and Developers Alliance, and Toastmasters for public speaking practice. Many events are free, and Daniel recommends students use these platforms and simply turn up.

Build the habit, brick by brick

Rather than overcommitting, Daniel suggests aiming to network around twice a month and building from there. Confidence grows like a wall, one brick at a time, and momentum compounds as it becomes a routine.

Combine in person and online

An online profile on LinkedIn or Instagram works best alongside a real in-person presence. Posting consistently helps, but the ability to hold a face-to-face conversation is what turns a connection into a relationship.

Leadership and the next generation

Daniel argues that relationship building should be modelled inside practices, not just at external events. He points to the value of senior people mixing with junior staff in informal settings, and suggests organisations build succession by teaching networking and communication skills from Part 1 and Part 2 onwards.

Key terms

• Community interest company (CIC): a type of company set up to deliver social or community benefit rather than purely private profit.
• Cross-disciplinary networking: building relationships beyond your own profession, for example with engineers, developers, contractors and people outside design.
• Part 1 and Part 2: stages of UK architectural education and early practice experience.

Reflective prompts for your CPD record

1. Which two events could you realistically attend in the next month, and what is one opener you will use?
2. Where do your current professional relationships come from, and which disciplines are missing from your network?
3. If you lead or mentor others, how could you bring a junior colleague into an event or conversation this quarter?

About the guest

Daniel K Poku-Davies is a London-based architectural designer and urbanist, and a co-founder of Our Space, a community interest company and creative network connecting designers, creators and makers. He is a familiar presence across the London architecture scene and champions networking, mentorship and skills-based events that help the next generation build confidence and opportunity.