Emerging Talent: Kaho Tsukaguchi

It is not unusual for Builders and Carpenters to make the transition into building design at some point during their career, especially when they are thinking of expanding their services or thinking of transitioning to ‘putting down the tools’!

Kaho is expanding her services to include design and drafting services but has a very different agenda. Kaho is working her way back into an industry she left behind when she left Japan and is now looking to get back into Stage Set Design and Construction.

Her story which includes the direction in which she is heading, sounds amazing, and so we would like to share it with you.

Here is her full interview:

Where you currently work, how long have you been there? What made you want to start studying building design/drafting?

I’ve been a carpenter for 7/8 years since I was 19, but in the beginning, I was building stages for festivals and concerts back in Japan. I came over here and did the same job and started doing residential work to get permanent residency. I started with this company Interlock Construction in January last year (2020). I’ve always worked for other builders, I had to keep changing employers for sponsorship visa reasons. By the way I just got my permanent residency.

Will you be staying with the company you’re at? What are you thinking you’ll do?

I’ve actually started to look for other jobs, I really wanted to do rigging and scaffolding, which is staging and carpentry. I’ve learnt a lot through building houses but I really like working at heights so I’m leaving this company soon.

Will you be doing rigging on a big construction site?

The one I’ve been looking into is at the Sydney Opera House, the company sets up all the theatrical devices, pullies, ropes and winches inside the concert halls.

What made you want to want to do building design, is it something you’ve always wanted to do or just something that was of interest?

I was always inspired by architecture, I dropped out of high school in year 11, and I once looked into university here in Australia, but it was going to be too expensive and I didn’t have the year 12 test score so I decided not to become an architect. But I thought I could do this course while I was working as a carpenter.

Do you think you’ll continue pursuing building design or do you prefer a bit of variety?

I’d like to get into stage designs, the drafting skills will definitely come in handy when I start working for the staging companies.

What did you find most challenging about the course?

I didn’t know what to expect to start with, in the beginning I was struggling because I didn’t have any background using a laptop, or using any software, using word and certain applications. What I found was I really needed to get into the forums that were available online.

Were you able to find someone else that you could talk to about Revit?

Em one of the other students, we keep in touch, we would chat and it kept me going when we were both struggling. There was one point last year all the Revit group questions were posted by myself or Em. It been great after Priya joined as she would provide answers to the posts.

BFDA educator: It is definitely a challenging qualification to study online. Finding a ‘buddy’ to talk to when things get difficult, or when you want to give up is essential, I think. Sometimes you just need someone to remind you why you are doing this, and that there is an end in sight, and the promise of that new career.

So great to hear Kaho’s story, and we wish her so much luck in the future.

• Photographer: Javier Miguens @javmiguens