I decided I wanted to be an architect when I was at secondary school. It might sound odd but I didn’t fully understand what an architect did when I was 13 but I knew that I wanted to have a career where I could help people and society in a small way. Some 30 years later I now fully understand what it means to be an architect and the impact we can have on people’s lives and the communities that we live and work in. It’s because of this passion I will continue to strive to make a difference wherever I can with the work and commissions that WR-AP undertake.

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I have an analytical-minded approach to our creative operations that is project focused, interested in exploration through making, keen to tackle tangible sustainable issues rather than theoretical or paper architecture and I have a belief that architecture can be a mechanism for social good.

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In addition to my directorial roles and responsibilities I also enjoy being a mentor to the next generation of architects. I have been privileged to advise several young up and coming architecture undergraduates from Reading and Kingston University in recent years.

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Away from the practice I’m continually building up the courage with my daily early morning runs to finally run a marathon, I love coaching my sons football team and I’m actively trying to find time to read more books and to scroll less.

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WR-AP commissions

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Park Pivot

Ham Close Community Centre

Kingston Riverside

Cascade Homes

11 CC

2-4 HS - HW

WR House

Dainton Cottage

Fulham Pre-prep School

Squirrel Chase

Be Well Pavilion

WR-AP Studio

I grew up making and drawing things in my native city: Caracas, surrounded by the analytical curiosity of my father and the sensibility for nature and crafts of my mother. Later on discovering the power of well-designed buildings and public spaces changed architecture from a mere career to a way of life.  For me it is exhilarating seeing a “drawing” getting built; but nothing compares to hearing the experiences of those who use our spaces once that early sketch comes to life.

 

I believe in a practice based on evocative narratives, coherent technical solutions and above all being able to positively influence the lives of the people using the spaces we design.  My involvement in WR-AP is to lead our team to deliver evocative narratives, explorative sketching, meaningful engagement with clients and users alike- and to develop rigorous technical detailing during the construction phases.

 

My participation with academia allows me to explore and discuss relevant architectural issues as well as ultimately influence how we believe architectural education should respond to our professions challenges. Through a journey of ideas-practice-economics-technology and social issues I seek to formulate relevant briefs / discussions aiming to provide relevant platforms for fruitful discussions with students.

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I am privileged to share my life with someone equally passionate about design, art and architecture. I seek for the intellectual delight of understanding things. I also annoyingly tap my fingers everywhere as a reminder of my days as drummer, long gone but hopefully soon to resume.

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WR-AP commissions

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Park Pivot

Achilles Estate

75 AR

Dainton Cottage

KBH Residential

Summersby

WR-AP Studio

19 KW

70-72 BS

19 PW

I grew up in my father's office, he was a civil engineer who led projects that involved the hiring of various specialists, structural engineers, surveyors, electrical engineers and architects among others. This led to me living my formative years between drawing boards, sketches, rulers and pencils when everything was still done by hand.

 

My mother is an artist and sculptor, so I also grew up in a pottery studio surrounded by ceramic lathes, ovens, clay, oxides, brushes and colors. I think growing up between these two different worlds has been a huge influence on my architectural thinking.

 

I recently read an article on the different types of intelligence, I discovered that mine is called spatial intelligence, which is one of the defining elements that distinguishes architects. I bring to the practice the desire to learn and to do things in an innovative manner. Architecture and its spatial value is universal, the difference is the standards of each country, the construction materials used and the way of building. I enjoy the technical aspects of practicing architecture and working dynamically with BIM for the practice is something that I like to be participating in.

 

I love art, especially contemporary art. I enjoy going to museums and I like that art communicates with the spirit and expresses feelings. I love ceramics too, I miss my mother's ceramic studio back home.

 

Outside of the practice I have recently discovered my passion for hiking and doing so has been a great opportunity to get to know this beautiful country and its landscapes, even if it includes getting lost multiple times or soaking in the rain. The routes through the seven sisters cliffs in the south of the country has been a highlight so far.

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WR-AP commissions

118 CR

35PAV

High Trees

11squirrel chase

fulham pre-prep school

wr house

19 kw

I joined WR-AP in the summer of 2020, after completing my first year of Architecture Masters at The Kingston School of Art. Whilst studying I’ve explored questions of liminality and the idea of resettling, through the exploration of façade design and development. My studies have given me the ability to address complex problems, assess significant possibilities within given limitations and requirements, and develop design solutions that evolve towards refinement through repeated cycles of testing, assessing and no shortage of impressive risk-taking.

 

During my undergraduate studies I began to strive and develop an understanding of both design, concept and architecture not only as a profession itself but also a prime initiator towards social change and development as a whole and its this focus that I enjoy dedicating my efforts towards within the practice environment.

 

I’m passionate about good architecture and my key interests lie within the ongoing investigation and exploration of materiality, spatial condition, and subtext within a projects' context, alongside furthering my understanding of architecture as a transformational process of experimentation and carefully thought out design that impacts the wider society and not just the confines of a buildings footprint. I’ve been involved in a number of the practices’ residential projects and I enjoy testing out my interests out of this scale of architecture.

 

Outside university and practice I’ve entered several architectural competitions around the world in order to develop my architectural thinking and stance, most recently having been a shortlisted winner for an educational centre in Mexico.

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WR-AP commissions

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Ham Close Community Centre

10 SHG

2-4 HS-HW

Cascade homes

40 SMR

25 CR

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My engagement with buildings, spaces and design stems from my childhood, without question. When not clambering across rocks on the beach or climbing trees in the South Downs countryside, you’d have doubtless found me exploring the best hiding places at friend’s houses; trying to understand how these spaces came to be. This inquisitiveness led me on an educational journey of art and design, which really unlocked my creative problem-solving attitude. Such was the appeal in uncovering what makes for a great space, I pursued a career in Architecture and studied both Bachelors and Masters Degrees at Kingston University. It was this formal education that opened my eyes to the interactions between people and place. I believe that carefully-constructed architecture can complement the identity of any environment at social, material and sensory levels. During my professional development, I have continued to enjoy the roles that photography, sketching and model-making play in my understanding of the urban realm.

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I take pride in having played a hands-on role in the design and construction of ‘live build’ projects in partnership with a Surrey-based Community Interest Company during my Masters course. These included the RIBA Silver Medal-nominated ‘Surbiton Yatai’ project for the ‘Seething Festival’; and ‘ShedX’ which won a Silver Medal at the 2018 RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show and toured at the V&A Museum and Lambeth Palace. These opportunities helped form an appreciation of the craft of construction, in turn inspiring the way I view collaboration, client ambitions and user experience. Architecture is an iterative process, so I seek to adopt a ‘thinking through making’ approach wherever possible. Physically making a model is just as informative to us as it is to the client.

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I have a strong interest in capturing exciting design through the lens. Inspiration can spring at any moment and I find myself as much in awe of small details as I do great spaces. Participating in supportive and impartial discourse as a critic serves to better equip us all in practice and helps the industry prosper.

 

I have always found sanctuary in the peace and quiet of nature. In my own time, you’ll most likely find me out with my camera gear on a long countryside walk with my partner, probably stopping to coo over a stranger’s dog. In urban environments, I’m the guy who’ll stop to peep through the gap in the hoarding at a construction site to see what’s going on. I love sport and for much of my childhood played football and represented my local Harriers Athletics Club. Nowadays I’m an animated fan, watching my football team squander another chance in our annual battle to avoid the drop.

 

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WR-AP commissions

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23 CR

56BW

Achilles Estate

WR House

175 SR

40 SMR

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My main line of architectural curiosity lies with the development of social spaces and resilient homes, and how we can define better and more inclusive places for communities and individuals. This interest has been particularly inspired by the works of 20th Century architects including Neave Brown and Lina Bo Bardi, whose social schemes and joyful interventions inspired many of my projects during my architectural studies.

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I undertook both my Bachelors and Masters degrees at the University of Nottingham where I was awarded a first class degree for both qualifications. My final year thesis project, Phenomenology and Dementia (a project exploring social inclusivity within an experiential urban environment) was nominated for the RIBA Silver President’s Medal and Architects’ Journal Student Prize. I qualified as an Architect in October 2021 after completing my Part 3 studies at the University of Westminster.

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Following 2 years at Mæ Architects, I joined WR-AP in October 2021, and I am excited to continue nurturing my architectural curiosities as I venture into the next step of my career as an Architect, designing resilient and evocative spaces, places and homes.

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I have a very creative eye and particularly enjoy producing compelling visuals – be that digital collaging or intricate hand drawing – to really communicate design decisions and atmospheres. I am also very much a people person, so look forward to building relationships with new people and bringing along my positive and smiley persona along to every project.

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I enjoy advocating and learning about pioneering women in architecture and interior design, through books, talks and exhibitions. Most recently I enjoyed a visit to the Design Museum to see Charlotte Perriand: This Modern Life, where I learnt more about her notion that ‘good design is for everyone’.

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When I’m not at my desk, I can be found tending to my ever growing house plant collection, or planning my next Theatre trip to the West End.

 

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WR-AP commissions

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Richmond MakerLabs

Tooting Bec Lido

Kingston Riverside

55 WA

12 - 14 DR

WR House

175 SR

40 SMR

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Despite having no formal education in architecture, I have such a respect for it, as a designer and artist myself it’s so incredible to see such tangible results of a project as well as the process that leads there. I am particularly interested in the use of materials and the consideration that goes into them both ecologically and aesthetically. The history and changing norms within architecture are also fascinating, having studied classical civilisations in college I have a bit of insight into ancient architecture and how buildings have evolved with us to suit our changing needs and visual preferences.

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As the first person in this role, I think I’ll bring a new perspective and flair to the materials at WR-AP and hopefully something a bit different. I have a very hands on, process led approach to design which results in constant learning and new techniques. This should result in a cohesive but exciting variety of styles to suit any project.

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Outside of the studio I spend my time working with clay to create sculptural pieces that are both beautiful and practical. My work mainly focuses on the stunning lines and curves of the human form but I’m branching into more abstracted, textural pieces. I’m completely self-taught so I think this is why a big interest of mine in the architectural sphere are the materials used as it has parallels with the choice of clay, chemistry of glaze and the consideration of process with usability as well as aesthetic.

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When I’m not designing and creating, I spend my time trying to teach my rescue dog Turnip to be the best boy he can be, we’ve not had too much luck so far, so we’ll just say he’s full of character. He loves a cuddle and is always eager for a post work snuggle in front of the telly.

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Coffea Arabica, or more recognizably the Coffee plant, is an evergreen from the rubiaceae family with dark shiny leaves originating from Ethiopia in about 1,000 BC. Its name was coined around the 7th century when the plant was brought across the Red Sea into Yemen and lower Arabia – hence the ‘Arabica’. This variety of coffee bean is the most commonly used dominating about 70% of global production.

 

In their natural habitat Coffea Arabica grow into medium sized trees, although when farmed they are regularly pruned to keep them at a more manageable size. They have fairly compact growing habits making them ideal for growing in your home; there are even dwarf varieties available that only grow to 12 inches tall, the Coffea arabica 'Nana'.

 

Maintenance:

Given its tropical origins, warm temperatures and plenty of moisture are key. The younger the plant the more watering is required to keep it healthy but whatever it’s age the soil should never really be allowed to dry out completely. Watering little and often tends to work best for these shrubs as well as a daily misting of the leaves, but make sure there is good drainage to avoid root rot. Despite enjoying higher temperatures, ideally 20 – 25 degrees, you should try and avoid direct sunlight and keep your plant in a filtered but well-lit area.

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