The first apprentices signed by an award-winning architecture firm were given a tour of its new offices in Tottenham.

John McAslan + Partners will open an office in Tottenham High Road  next month as part of a deal with Haringey Council and the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CHENEL).

The council has taken a five-year lease on the building and has refurbished it to create a place to showcase regeneration plans.

Five apprentices will follow a 12-month pilot project, working for the firm for four days a week and studying at CHENEL for the remaining day.

Rhasan Brunner, who lives with his grandparents in Dalston, Hackney, has already started work for John McAslan as part of the apprenticeship scheme.

Mr Brunner, 19, is working as a business administrator in the firm’s Euston office before moving to the N17 branch when it is open.

The teenager has also begun a course in business administration at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London as part of the apprenticeship, after completing a BTEC in Public Services in BSix College.

He said: “After I finished college I wanted to get more life experience. Since I’ve been at the head office I’ve been learning how to run an office, so when I go to N17 I’ll work with the architects doing that.

“I’m very much looking forward starting at N17. This is a really, really good opportunity, and it’s helped me get into work.”

He added: “Our most recent project is working with Northumberland Park School.

"We’re going to be working with the community a lot, which is what I like, and all the architects are really passionate about it too.”

Apprentices joined council leader Councillor Claire Kober and John McAslan + Partners director Natasha Manzaroli for their sneak peek at the studio.

Cllr Kober said: “It was fantastic to meet these enthusiastic young apprentices, whose vision and talent I’m confident will play a key role in shaping McAslan’s success in Tottenham

“The fact that an internationally-recognised name like John McAslan + Partners has chosen to come to Tottenham is recognition of the wealth of creativity and ambition of the people who live and work here.”

John McAslan, executive chairman of John McAslan + Partners, said: “This is an exciting new chapter for the practice and for Tottenham.”