A: We kicked started our first day at WB with coffees with our buddies where we learnt more about one another, followed by a welcome lunch with Ian, Tracey and the rest of the students in the Sydney studio on Tuesday. We’ve all been assigned to a project, so we are already getting busy with helping our team! There were also various presentations by different departments of the company – the amount of information could be overwhelming, but I am sure we all feel reassured that there is so much support and resources available to us.

We’ve briefly met the other grads over video calls but my fingers are crossed hoping that we can all meet in person by the end of the year! It’ll be a fantastic opportunity to exchange our experiences in each studio!

A: So much time is spent in architecture school learning how to approach problems conceptually and figuring out our own design processes. The idea of using these skills and methodologies to create tangible outcomes for real problems is something I find particularly exciting and is one of the main reasons I chose to pursue a career in architecture. Given the time constraints of a single semester, there is generally very little ability to realise designs beyond a concept stage. I am looking forward to the grad program exposing me to the latter stages of projects, getting on site and seeing all of the initial ideas finally executed as a built work.

Studying architecture is also so often a highly solitary exercise, spending countless hours as a solo creative making every decision, when in reality the industry relies so heavily on collaboration and different skill sets. The opportunity to work within a team and learn first hand from architects who have a wealth of expertise and different approaches to design will be an invaluable part of the grad program.

A: The Central Markets for me is what makes Adelaide unique. I love visiting the markets and experiencing the diversity of foods and people all within the one place. I am excited for the markets to become a central hub for people of all ages to meet at and experience the diversity within. I am looking forward to experiencing the Market Hall once the project has been built. This is a place where people can come to meet and enjoy what the markets have to offer. Growing up I would visit the Central Markets on a weekly basis with the family. It would be great for families across Adelaide to have the same experience in a place that has been around for so long.

A: Beginning my graduate program with documentation is a challenging gateway to start with but one that I am really looking forward to. Being introduced to limited knowledge of documentation at university, I am excited to develop the methodology Woods Bagot practices to produce uniform drawing sets for a large-scale workplace project.

Commencing my gateway on 83 Pirie Street, alongside the base building team, allows me to experience the integration and communication between architects and interior designers in-house. This exposure will benefit my learning on understanding what the level of detail is required for each documentation milestone. Another aspect of documentation I am looking forward to developing is my Revit skills and learning the TDS standards.

Being assigned to a project with a diversified and encouraging team, alongside an inclusive studio, I am excited to see what experiences and skills this gateway will teach me.

A: As a graduate interior architect, I have always fascinated with the idea of interiority that create a sense of place in the architecture, along side with beautiful detailing in materiality and lighting instilling atmospheric quality in the place, a cultural place where about collective memory and human emotion.

Those elements are always exists on cultural centre or museum/ exhibition space which are always my favourite typology, one typical example by Woods Bagot is the Nan Tien Education and Culture Centre – this project has fully blew my mind! The sophisticated of detailing in both architecture and interior really inspires me because it is such a poetic piece of work that showcases the relationship in between place, people and culture. This is the kind of the dream project I really want to explore and work on.

A: As a strong, proud Wirangu, Kokatha, Mirning woman I am very passionate about architecture and my Aboriginal culture and community. This is an opportunity of a lifetime to bring together my passions and invest them into a project that will benefit Aboriginal people and culture as well as the broader community. It provides a platform to showcase and celebrate Aboriginal cultures and languages both contemporary and historically on a national and international platform, giving visibility to the oldest living culture on the planet.

I’m excited and honoured to follow in the steps of my ancestors, and the many Aboriginal trailblazers who have contributed in so many ways to make this a reality, not only the AACC itself, but for me as a young Aboriginal Architect to be able to represent my culture at work. This is more than a project to me because it’s about my family, my culture and my history. I’m proud to be working with Woods Bagot in creating a landmark that will educate, strengthen community and breakdown barriers, giving a place for sharing, listening and healing. More importantly, a place for truth telling to support the conversations about Australia’s Aboriginal history, giving it the spotlight, it has always deserved.

A: I’ve had a very warm welcome into the Adelaide Studio, and everyone has been helpful and accommodating. I have got to know my mentor Rani, and she has introduced me to the BHP project that I will be working on. She has been a tremendous help and has taught me many new things over the past three weeks. We’ve had a drink on a Friday night after work and have got to know each other outside of the office. I sit next to Sah’mon, she has also been a great mentor and is supportive when I need her assistance. Sitting next to an experienced Interior Designer has made me feel at ease with getting my head around the various tasks I have been given. I have really enjoyed the induction process and getting to know the other graduates.

As a new graduate entering the workplace, I thought I would be overwhelmed with what was expected of me. However, my experience has been very positive, and everyone has been understanding and are patient and responsive when I have a question. I couldn’t have asked for a better start to my first few weeks of full-time employment. I am looking forward to my journey at Woods Bagot and meeting the challenges that I will be faced with.