Irvine completed his BA (Hons) attaining his RIBA part 1 from the University of Brighton and worked hard to successfully pursue his RIBA part 2 at the Manchester School of Architecture. He is an active member of the construction community, participating as a student member in the events held by the RIBA and Manchester Society of Architects (MSA). Through the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) Irvine is currently exploring the future of the architectural profession in the developing world.

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Irvine’s rigor in his research has led him to investigate the possible futures for the architecture profession in the UK. The general architecture profession is currently facing a decline in its influence as newer forms of contracts allow other professions to control projects, in place of the traditional architect. He started to investigate potential futures for the architecture profession, attaining insights into flexible options for the future of the profession, challenging the role of current architects in the construction industry. Writing about this aspect of professionalism in architecture, you can read it under the "Thesis" section.

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Irvine is the current leader of the growing Manchester School of Architecture alumni Africa Network, creating relationships between past alumni, current students, architects, mentors, and with different companies interested in the network from this region. This lead to his involvement with the research group, Black in Architecture, as the leader of the International Black community, researching issues international architecture students face, in the hope of finding workable long-term solutions for these problems. Irvine's community involvement is broadened by his work as the head of the 'creative space' within a charitable organisation in Manchester. Together they organised a series of events to raise money for the organisation including their  biggest project, a film series written, directed and produced by them starring members of the organisation.

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Irvine’s understanding of design evolved from challenging the urban housing typology, in order to accommodate modern society and its increase in demand for remote working from home. This flexible live-work environment affected not only the spaces within the house but if combined, an entire street. This then took a different perspective after his year, out working on a 50-year masterplan for the biggest referral hospital in Kenya on its 45ha site. Working on the flexibility and functionality of an expanding hospital, Irvine got a better understanding of inclusive, sustainable, and sensitive design, which was further developed in his RIBA Part 2 training, reinterpreting the user experience for the differently-abled, beyond the current UK regulations to a progressive experience throughout a space. His research went beyond simply changing the dimensions of a proposal, to account for the vast range of disabilities and impairments which affect the progressive experience of a space and how the building is generally experienced.

 

This transpired into collaborating with the Southway Housing Trust whilst at the Manchester School of Architecture and helping them solve an aging issue they face in the communities they develop. He has been able to investigate these social relations, ensuring the full commercial potential of a site is achieved, carefully integrated with the community and the environment around it. 

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