2023/24 PORTFOLIO
RHIANNON WILLIAMS
SHORT PORTFOLIO OF SAMPLE WORKS
Rhiannon Williams
Part 1 Architectural Assistant
rhiannonw90@gmail.com
+44 7979 188234
1 Sylvia Close, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, HP16 0ES
A driven and creative individual looking for a Part 1 Architectural Assistant Placement to further develop skills gained in the workplace, and through teaching. Like to produce work to a high standard, that is well planned and technically strong, yet innovative and eye-catching. A good communicator, who enjoys being with people.
CORE SKILLS
• Proficient in SketchUp and Adobe
InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop
• Basic knowledge of AutoCAD and Revit
• Values Hand Drawing and Model Making
• Freelance Graphic Design of promotional artwork for music events & record labels
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
WIDER SKILLS
• Achieved Bronze and Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards
• Full UK Driving Licence and car available
• First Aid trained (St. John’s Ambulance)
• Creative individual with passion for Graphic Design, Music and Photography
Part 1 Architectural Assistant, THAA, Newcastle upon Tyne — September 2023-June 2024
• Working in a small team, across a number of residential and community projects.
• Involved with RIBA Stages 1-4 in both new build and heritage restoration schemes.
• Individually produced Pre-Application and Concept Design drawings, renders and documents for issue to clients, consultants and planning authorities on 6 projects.
• Played a key role in design discussions, offering valued contributions and creative ideas in response to challenging briefs and complex heritage sites.
• Responsible for professional communication with consultants and clients.
• Built 5 digital site models in SketchUp using surveyed drawings. Developed design proposals in SketchUp and used Enscape to produce rendered images for projects.
• Delivered VR experiences to clients using Enscape for Oculus.
• Made friendly and professional contributions to 8 client meetings and presentations.
Work Experience, Maccreanor Lavington, London — 25-29th June 2018
• Directed conceptual project to provide office employees with an external break area.
• Completed a site visit and modelled the measured site in SketchUp, before including proposed external pavilion.
Work Experience, Johnson Naylor, London — 10-12th July 2018
• Executed conceptual project exploring ‘reception and welcome’.
• Taking knowledge of architectural theory to guide form and material choice.
• Produced initial design sketches and material palettes.
• Oral presentation to the team detailing project overview.
Head Graphic Designer, CloudCore (Record Label) — Part Time, 2022-2024
• Worked in a team of 4 to develop innovative ways of releasing music whilst creating an online and physical community around the label.
• Organised the promotional artwork for over 50 releases, produced both personally and with community artists.
• Used Adobe Suite and physical tools to individually produce 5 release artworks.
• Liaised with musicians, artists and the team to create and fulfil briefs.
Part-time Waitress, Corazon del Rio, Bourne End - 2021-2022
• Managed a team of 4 waiting staff to take orders, run tapas plates and drinks to customers, whilst upholding excellent customer service.
• Exhibited organisational and multi-tasking skills during lunch and dinner service.
• Communicated with Spanish-speaking kitchen staff.
• Worked on 4 larger events, serving tasting menu plates to 50+ guests.
Part-time Waitress, The Nags Head, Great Missenden - 2017-2021
• Worked in a team of 3 waiting staff to take, input and deliver orders.
• Experience in fulfilling drinks orders and managing service behind the bar.
• Provided newer employees with training in waiting and bartending.
EDUCATION
Newcastle University (Sept. 2020-Jun. 2023)
Architecture BA Hons (Upper Second-Class Honours)
Dissertation exploring the Geometric Optimisation of Mycelium-Based Composites for use in Architecture and Construction (2:1)
• Graduate design project detailed a Culture and Arts centre in rural County Durham
• Key modules include: Architectural Design (64%), Integrated Technology (67%), Theory into Practice (70%) and Professional Practice (70%).
Berkhamsted Collegiate School Sixth Form (Sept. 2017-Jun. 2019)
3 A-Levels: Geography (A), Art (B), Physics (C)
Extended Project Qualification on the topic of Sustainable Architecture (A*)
• 1 of 6 Year 12 Students selected for the Student Consultancy Programme. Personally awarded Baynes Award for Community Service at Prize Day for this work.
• Played competitive Netball and Lacrosse at County and National Level.
• Reached Grade 6 LAMDA award (Distinction) and played piano throughout school.
Berkhamsted Collegiate School (Sept. 2012-Jun. 2017)
REFERENCES
David Thompson (Director, THAA)
Tel: +44 7910 077822
Kieran Connolly (Design Tutor, Newcastle University)
Email: kieran.connolly@newcastle.ac.uk
Long Site Section with Proposal, Stage
BEAUREPAIRE ARTS CENTRE
NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY GRADUATE PROJECT
This project explores the rural and liminal landscape that surrounds the City of Durham. Neither conventionally rural nor urban, County Durham presents a landscape layered with themes of history, nature, religion and industry.
The Northern Saints Trails, which run across the county, formed the basis of the contextual research. Taking the transect cut by these trails and physically
Site and Wider Context Recording Drawings, Stage 3 Project
Left: Mapping Site and Routes, Bottom: Materiality Collage. Both from Stage 3 Design Project
TECHNICAL DRAWING
Teaching in Design and Technology modules has greatly improved my ability to make strong technical drawings, ranging from detail scale to building and site scale. Utilising Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, my drawings both present convincing material choices and highlight the enjoyment I have creating them.
Eastern Elevation and Selected Details, Stage 3 Design Project
TECHNICAL DRAWING
First Floor Plan, Stage 3 Design Project
Ground Floor Plan, Stage 3 Design Project
Building Sections, Stage 3 Design Project
PROPOSAL RENDERS
These images were produced using a whole scheme SketchUp model, which was then taken into both Illustrator and Photoshop. Careful detailing and lighting convey both architectural design and the emotional feeling desired for the spaces.
1:20 TECHNICAL MODEL
Produced for my Stage 2 Technology Module, this model shows a key roof to foundation section, through the main facade of the proposal. Made using a range of materials to reflect the proposed choices, the model shows an existing brick facade and it’s connection to the thermal line of the conversion. For this model I utilised workshop facilities for laser cutting, hand sawing and assembly.
1:20 Technical Sectional Model Photographs, Stage 2 Integrated Technology
Model Detail Sketch, Stage 2 Integrated Technology
Key Users and Contextual Research, Collage, Stage 3 Design Project
COLLAGE AS A PRACTICE
Throughout my studies I have enjoyed using collage, done both by hand and digitally, as a tool to visualise key spaces and tie together contextual research. The thoughtful nature of the process encourages careful material and form selection and pushes me to further question the motivations behind the design. What are the key elements that should be highlighted? Who am I designing for? What are the users likely to desire? How do I show this?
Above: Brief Development, Stage 3 Design Project
Creating Space Through Collage, Both Above Stage 2 Design
THAA ARCHITECTS
PART 1 ARCHITECTURAL ASSISTANT
Working for THAA has further developed the skills that I learned in my education. I have been involved in 9 live projects; working across RIBA stages 1-4, with a variety of residential and commercial clients. I have produced a number of SketchUp models at varying levels of detail, drawn up plans in AutoCAD, produced hand sketched imagery and collated practice work into documents for issue to clients, consultants and for formal planning and pre-planning applications. In addition, I have been fortunate to work on 2 competition entries.
Collection
Northernmost bank
Boathouse residential Floor open footprint of boathouse, into the highlighting views Boathouse layout, with on the uninterrupted the risk
Enscape Renders, ‘Boat House’ Proposal
Perspective Section and Sketch Plans, ‘Boat House’ Proposal
Sustainability is a key focus in both global development and Architectural practice. My dissertation seeks to take this one step further, exploring an alternative to the traditional high-carbon building materials and construction processes that are currently used in the built environment. Mycelium, as the root network of Fungi, has previously been used as packaging and insulation, yet current research indicates potential for further development. Mycelium-Based Composites can be produced using waste agricultural matter, in a carbonzero process and early material testing shows increasingly promising structural properties. This is both pioneering and exciting research, which I am delighted to have studied at undergraduate level.
MYCO MYCO Masonry Masonry
A study into the geometric optimisation of Mycelium-Based Composites for use in Architecture.
Centre: Series of key photographs in the dissertation
For further information or if you would like to read the full dissertation, please contact me using the details provided on Page 18.
Right: Cover Page from submitted dissertation
FREELANCE GRAPHIC DESIGN
Commencing alongside my University studies and continuing alongside my current role, I have been commissioned as a Graphic Designer on a number of Music Events and Projects. Choosing to advertise my work on a dedicated Instagram account, I have worked with clients to develop briefs, exercised my skill and passion for design and further evidenced my ability to work to deadlines.
‘CloudKey’ Designs, CloudCore Record Label
Music Event Promotion, SYNRG Records
Event Flyers, NESE (Northeast Southeast)
N.B: A large portion of work from my current Part 1 Architectural Assistant role is unable to be included due to client confidentiality and copyright control of projects in progress. In the coming weeks I hope to be able to showcase my most recent work in the industry, and would be delighted to share an updated portfolio with you.
Part 1 Architectural Assistant
Email: rhiannonw90@gmail.com
Tel: +44 7979 188234
Rhiannon Williams