51Âþ»­

An Architecture graduate has landed his dream job working on one of the largest restoration projects in the UK.

Daniel Johnstone is a junior project engineer on the huge renewal of the cast iron roofs of the Houses of Parliament.


“I go to work every day with a smile on my face,” said Daniel, 23, who graduated in Architecture from 51Âþ»­ Leicester (51Âþ»­) two years ago.

“It’s a fairly painstaking job because we have tried to retain as many of the original roof tiles as we can.

“Because they are 150 years old, they are not made as precisely as modern tiles and we keep finding mechanical fixtures and electrics in interesting places which we have to work around!”

Every tile is carefully removed and marked before being sent off for repairs. It is then returned to its exact place.  

Daniel started working for Shepley Engineers straight after graduation, first at Sellafield near his home of Cumbria. When he spotted a job being advertised to work on this project, he requested a transfer to concentrate on his passion for restoration.

He said: “I have always been interested in architecture. I have always liked older buildings I think they are fascinating, all the detail.

“I’m on site every day I get to know all the details and I can figure out how to fix problems.”

He said he loved his time at 51Âþ»­ and it was there that he started rowing, a sport which he still enjoys.
 
Neil Stacey, subject head (undergraduate Architecture) said: ""Daniel graduated from our BA(Hons) Architecture course in 2013.

"In his second year technology studies we did see the green shoots of his technical and engineering abilities and interests - so his role in solving the technical problems at the Palace of Westminster is not wholly surprising.

"I am sure his positive persona also has much to do with his success; he was invariably smiling, optimistic and keen to succeed."