Studio Life: IT Manager Necker Pintt & Assistant Gulam Qasim

The IT team is the backbone of our studio, keeping us all online during the pandemic with remarkable proficiency & ensuring architects have the technology and tools to design. IT Manager, Necker Pintt has led ML’s computer technology for over seven years, we speak with him and his IT assistant, Gulam Qasim about the pivotal work they do behind the scenes.

Necker Pintt

Hi Necker, how has your job evolved over the years?

When I first came to London I couldn’t speak English, and yet Maccreanor Lavington gave me a chance to work with them as an IT Assistant. Seven  years on have worked my way up to IT Manager, which I’m very proud of. Nowadays I spend my time implementing new technologies and workflows that support the team and business functions.

The first 2020 lockdown must have been one of the most testing times for you.

I had already been starting to prepare for a possible move to a more flexible working environment, but the pandemic certainly sped the process up. It was incredibly challenging as I had to suddenly ensure 65 staff members could successfully continue their work with minimal disruption, all whilst also moving into a new office.

What did you learn from it?

Definitely patience! Especially as most users had little experience working from home.

What would you say is the most important thing for an IT department within an architectural practice? 

To be patient and have empathy. Most of the time people come to the IT department whilst in a state of frustration as something isn’t working and you have to be aware of that and not take it personally. 

Is it different to other industries? Why?

 Yes; Because of course, architects are perfectionists and have demanding clients.

What technological innovations are changing the way we work or will work?

The suite of collaboration tools that are now available in the market is incredible and it means that we can work efficiently wherever we are.

You have had a keen interest in ensuring wellbeing is prominent in the studio – how have you done this?

Having experienced some mental health struggles in the past myself and knowing that architecture can be a high-pressure environment, I find fitting in exercise into my daily routine extremely important. It’s why I implemented the running club every Wednesday at Lunch. It’s been a great way to decompress and bond as a team.

I suppose you need to have an interest in the built environment being surrounded by architects.

I never realised how much I enjoyed design before I worked at Maccreanor Lavington so it’s been really interesting seeing what happens behind the scenes of architectural practice.

Gulam Qasim

Gulam, you recently joined ML to assist Necker, how are finding it?

Joining Maccreanor Lavington has been the best decision in my career so far. I’ve worked as a software engineer but that experience doesn’t compare to how much I am enjoying working here. The people are respectful and the atmosphere is great. I’m always excited to arrive at work and Monday to Friday passes in the blink of an eye, and I enjoy it.

Did you always want to work in IT?

Yes, I was inspired when sharing my brother’s laptop and when we sneakily played games on my Dad’s work laptop. Unfortunately I’d be the scapegoat if it broke so had to learn from a young age how to solve IT problems quickly. It was also a field in that I excelled at school, college, and university.

What attributes do you need for the role?

Problem-solving and patience.

What’s the most challenging part of the role?

No problem is ever the same, for example, Revit is a sensitive software, and dealing with a PC with an installation problem there are countless methods to resolve it but only one of them is going to work You resolve one problem, then it always opens a pandora’s box of more, often you need to think outside of the box to find the solution.

Has your mentor, Necker, given you the confidence to deal with the various personalities at ML?

He has done a good job at helping me navigate people, showing me how to solve problems, and constantly and giving me the opportunity to ask and to give things a try. There is never a day when I cannot ask for help.

How would you describe architects?

You can tell they have a passion for design and they are perfectionists, and this is a trait that I admire.

Anything else?

😊 Nope