I started my experience at WR-AP on the 15th of July. I met Sean on arrival where he gave a tour of the WR-AP Studio just before my first Monday morning meeting. I met the rest of the team during this meeting, Esmeralda in person and the rest online. I was introduced to the various ongoing projects at WR-AP such as the Achilles Project, Surrey Maths School, Tooting Bec Lido and the various residential projects.
Week 1:
Week 1 consisted mainly of model making and learning about the practice. I was to study the Achilles project and create a 1:50 bay model. After communicating with Dan, I used his Bay Studies of the floor plan and renders of the façade to start building the bay model. On Wednesday, I attended the meeting that Sean and Max presented to the Southern Housing Group. They discussed their 8 Ingredients to create a successful development project. I learnt how they approach a project and how they emphasize the local community and client in the process as well as how a good team and morals on approach can determine a project. They talked about their Maker Labs Project, Kingston Riverside Project and the Achilles Project and how engaging with the community allowed them to design and build better.
On the Thursday of week one, Me, Sean and Dan visited the house renovation at 42 The Ridings where we talked with the contractors on their ongoing progress and any issues they faced during construction. I was tasked with taking the summary notes for the valuation visit which would update the rest of the studio on the construction. I completed the first week by finishing the bay model.
Week 2:
With Sean on holiday, I started week 2 with Esmeralda, attending the Monday morning meeting online with the other team members. We discussed the ongoing projects and briefed each other with what we did last week and what we will do. This week was split between two projects. I was to create a digital and physical sample board for the Surrey Math's School Project, as well as a plan of the project showing what materials would be used where. This would then be taken to the visit next week and presented to the clients. I created the digital board on photoshop using a template from a previous project. I then created a physical sample board on foamboard with the materials showing how they interact with each other. I then spent the remainder of the week working with Max and getting introduced to the 3D printer. I was looking to make a 1:500 model of the entire project as well as a 1:200 bay model of the central core for the WR-AP building at Achilles Street. Using an existing model, I started to create the 1:500 model, experimenting on SketchUp and Flashprint to ensure I get a good print. By the end of the second week, I had finished my work for Surrey Math's School and successfully printed the 1:500 model of the Achilles Project.
Week 3:
My toughest but most satisfying week began in week 3. It began as usual with the Monday meeting where we all brief each other on the projects and our work. I then attended the Tooting Bec Lido kickoff meeting where we discussed the client aspirations, design re-cap, programme and a planning tracker. I was to spend this week on SketchUp and Flashprint creating 3D models for the Achilles project. After the successful print of the 1:500 model, my aim was complete 3 bay models of the Achilles project representing the different facades. I extracted a model of Revit and put it into SketchUp, where i could clean it up and slice it. I faced hardships whilst doing this as the model on SketchUp required a lot of attention and detail, the model would then not work on Flashprint or slice properly leading to a failed iteration. This happened a lot but I was becoming more familiar with each of the software's. I contacted Louis Malik at Levitt Bernstein for assistance, which he provided, giving more insight into the process and what I can change. With some tenacity I was able to crack the model and started printing the model. I had to segment the entire model into modules that I can then glue together. I had also started the construction of another 1:50 physical bay model whilst the 3D printer was printing.
Week 4:
Week 4 started with a site visit to Tooting Bec Lido and a survey of 33c Morat Street with Sean and Esmeralda.
We visited the lido as WR-AP is kicking off the project where we conducted a small survey with details that are required for the tender drawings. We then commuted to Morat Street where we met with the clients and performed a full survey of the building and talked with the clients as to what they wanted to achieve through the project. I spent the next day finishing the 1:50 physical bay model. My final task to end the experience was to create a plan of 33c Morat Street on Revit. Dan and Adam guided me through Revit and how to use the software. I used their expertise to help create the plan of the building and its two proposals for the clients and leaseholder of the building to see.
Conclusion:
I performed a variety of tasks during my time here at WR-AP. I created physical models, 3D models, 3D prints, plans, renders and work for clients. I attended various meetings that I found educational and worked closely with the WR-AP team on their projects. I've had an incredible time and experience at WR-AP with some remarkable experience under my belt thanks to them.
Thank You WR-AP,
Sid.
Siddharth Gadhia
Notes from WR-AP
It was a pleasure having Sid join us at WR-AP for a few weeks this summer. Throughout his time with us, Sid demonstrated great professionalism, diligence, and a strong eagerness to learn. He fully immersed himself in the various projects, from model making to client meetings, and made significant contributions to the team.
We are strong supporters of the Access to Architecture initiative at Kingston University, which provides students like Sid with valuable opportunities to experience real-world architectural practice. It's initiatives like these that help nurture the next generation of architects, and we are proud to be involved in the program. Sid’s time with us showcased the importance of this initiative, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with Kingston University in the future.
Thank you, Sid, for all your hard work – we wish you the best in your architectural journey!
Best regards,
The WR-AP Team
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