“I’ve travelled the world with my degree – Architecture can take you anywhere”

Plymouth graduate Joni Lettmann shares his story on World Architecture Day
3d image of conceptual cube world map [shutterstock_66992410]

When aspiring architect Joni Lettmann was looking at where to study, he knew he wanted an international perspective, away from his native Hamburg in Germany. Impressed by its proximity to nature, he chose the University of Plymouth, and that choice has shaped his entire career.
Architecture graduate Joni Lettmann
Architecture graduate Joni Lettmann (credit: Giulia Savorelli)

I was really impressed with the supportive ethos on the course, as well as location and how versatile and tailored you can make it.

I really liked the degree and how sensitive it was to context and the thing I most enjoyed was focusing on architecture as a shared experience – how it can really impact people’s lives. 
After his first year, he took a summer internship in Mexico City.
Learning Spanish came in handy as, post-graduation, he worked six months in Seville, Spain, followed by six months in Rotterdam and six months in Amsterdam.
Each practice was different in size and focus, and, alongside his Plymouth experience, helped to affirm his focus on real-life impact.
He said:
“The Seville practice was very traditional and quite small, compared with the Rotterdam practice that dealt with huge international projects. Amsterdam was different again in that it focused on cultural projects and housing, and I could see first-hand the impact on the people experiencing it. Working in shared spaces was absolutely my direction of travel, and I knew I wanted to move back to the UK.”
Joni Lettmann practice A347 (credit: Giulia Savorelli) Giulia Savorelli
Joni Lettmann architecture practice (credit: Giulia Savorelli) Giulia Savorelli
Joni Lettmann architecture practice (credit: Giulia Savorelli) Giulia Savorelli
Together with colleague Luke Deering, Joni is currently co-leading the architectural design studio A347 – named after its London location: the North Arch on Beck Road – which showcased their first spatial project as part of London Design Festival 2024.
The project is a radical approach to the spatial typology of the community centre. Taking the neighbourhood's rich history in its contribution towards the arts, the North Arch acts on the agency of artistic practices, both in the production of and interaction with its outputs, in bringing people together, enabling and enhancing the vernacular culture of a community.
The design facilitates the growth of individual artistic practices whilst supporting shared experience within a multipurpose courtyard, multiplying the value of creative culture through exhibitions, workshops, talks or other events.

I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved so far. The beauty of architecture is that it can take you anywhere and it’s the most versatile artform. I really hope other people see beyond the desk and look at the impact you can have.

Even years after graduating from Plymouth, I still believe in my tutor's advice: Architecture is best learned by experiencing it.
BA (Hons) Architecture graduate, Joni Lettmann 

Architecture is ever evolving as a discipline, and there isn’t just one career path you can take. It’s highly interdisciplinary, and the course at Plymouth affords that potential and development of skill and critical thinking.

The University of Plymouth also now offers a travel bursary, known as the Gavin Pomeroy Scholarship, to support a second-year architecture student each year to undertake a single project away from home. The world is really at your feet if you study architecture, and we’d love to chat more about the opportunities available.

Nikolina BobicDr Nikolina Bobic
Lecturer in Architecture (History & Theory)

Architecture