That’s why we’re looking for innovative and creative graduates who want to meaningfully contribute and actively engage in what has been described by our CEO as ‘a 150+ year start up business reliant on inclusivity, diverse perspectives and incredible thinkers’.
The annual Graduate Intake, which commenced in February 2023, offered graduate positions in both Architecture and Interior Design disciplines in our Australian and New Zealand studios.
The Graduate Program journal series covers the stories from our grads and their unique perspectives. Stay tuned for more!
Monique Mifsud, Jiayi Cheng, Maryannn Aziz, and Georgia Olivia Lloyd.
Meet the Sydney Graduates:
Monique Mifsud, a talent from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), is transforming how we experience the world through her Bachelor of Interior Architecture. Her passion lies in reshaping interior spaces to create impactful human experiences.
Maryann Aziz, a Master of Architecture student at Western Sydney University (WSU), is at the forefront of Urban Transformation. She’s driving the future of sustainable urban development with visionary solutions for tomorrow’s cities.
Jiayi Cheng brings a unique fusion of design and media, combining her Bachelor of Interior Architecture from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) with a Master of Media Practice from University of Sydney (USYD).
Georgia Olivia Lloyd, a Master of Architecture student at UTS, is dedicated to innovative architectural solutions and contemporary design.
Featured in the Sydney studio material library: Monique, Georgia, Jiayi, and Maryann.
What do you enjoy most about the Graduate program at Woods Bagot so far?
Monique: One of the most rewarding aspects of the Graduate program has been the opportunity to collaborate with experienced professionals who consistently inspire me with their expertise and creativity. Engaging with suppliers and discovering new materials has been particularly fulfilling. Working within a dynamic team that prioritises innovation and collaboration has provided valuable opportunities for both professional development and creative growth.
Maryann: I’ve particularly enjoyed diving into large-scale projects that have the potential to transform their regions. The self-paced learning environment has allowed me to explore my interests deeply. But what I love most is being surrounded by brilliant minds who are always eager to share their knowledge, creating an inspiring and collaborative atmosphere.
Jiayi: The incredible amount of resource I’ve been exposed to and finding the parts that I truly enjoy. Given the chance that I’m now helping organise our material library and all sorts of interior team events (showroom and lunch & learn presentations), as well as working on project-based material palettes. I have gained greater clarity about what I want to explore further and delve deeper into.
Georgia: I’m most interested in Cities & Places as they consist of some of the most complex, layered and dynamic environments which can have profound impact on large numbers of everyday people. During the program, I’ve had the opportunity to focus on this specific sector, concentrating on heavily occupied spaces that serve as the backdrop for countless life events. These spaces are most successful in their design when they go unnoticed by their users. The broad nature of this design category means that it can meaningfully incorporate a range of other architectural sectors but considers them in a broader, more public context.
How has it been working with your mentors and team?
Monique: Working with my project leader and the interior design team across the Hotel, Retail, and Residential sectors has been an incredibly enriching experience. I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with a supportive leader who brings valuable expertise and insight to every project. The team’s extensive knowledge continually inspires me, fueling my creativity and contributing to our collective success. This journey has been deeply rewarding, fostering continuous learning and growth as each member’s expertise enhances our collaborative efforts. The more I work alongside them, the deeper my respect grows for every individual on the team.
Maryann: My experience in the architecture graduate program has been profoundly rewarding, particularly through my collaboration with project leaders Glenn O’Loughlin (Senior Associate) and Chris Yoo (Associate Principal) on different projects. Their extensive industry experience has provided invaluable guidance, fostering a creative and supportive environment. My team mates have been incredibly patient and collaborative, helping me tackle complex challenges.
Jiayi: Working with the interior design team and Hayden Crawford (Principal and Workplace Design Leader) has been incredibly rewarding. Coming from diverse cultural backgrounds and design disciplines, our ideas merge to create exciting, innovative sparks. Each team member is an expert in their own right, bringing a range of perspectives that challenge your thinking and foster growth. As a graduate, I’ve always been encouraged to step outside my comfort zone and seek new experiences, because true inspiration comes from the world around you, not just from a screen.
Georgia: Working with a diverse group of people on projects has been an incredibly positive experience. The team is always eager to share their insights and offer support when learning new tasks and programs. The collaborative environment within the studio creates an exciting atmosphere, where even as a graduate, your ideas and opinions can influence design outcomes and contribute meaningfully to discussions.
We invited the graduates to share insights into their final projects, giving us a glimpse into their innovative approaches, creative problem-solving, and the unique perspectives that set them apart in the field of design.
Monique: Tasked with redesigning 5 Martin Place, Sydney, the goal is to develop a forward-thinking approach to the bathhouse, exploring new paradigms through a comprehensive analysis of materiality, ritual, atmospheric qualities, compositional articulations, the phenomenology of water, and broader programmatic diversity. The public bathhouse historically served as a crucial hygiene resource for disadvantaged communities, evolving today into a pivotal social hub amidst the aftermath of the pandemic. Red Alley undertakes an active exploration of cultural diversity, internalizing the urban experience and redefining urban spaces with innovative material palettes and ornamentation that resonate deeply within the social fabric and cultural identity. In response to Sydney’s nightlife regulations, the design redefines behavioural norms, reintroducing transcultural aesthetics that transform interior landscapes. This approach redefines luxury within Sydney’s vibrant urban environment, particularly within the context of aquatic interiors. The expansive concept of the bathhouse challenges traditional architectural principles, transforming the interface between public and private realms into a platform for dynamic exchange and interaction.
Maryann: Sydney’s current adjacency of agriculture and housing does not reflect the -ambitions of what Many 20th-century urban planning projects aspired to construct —agrarian urbanism. Focusing on the adjacency of the two disparate forms of occupying land: Housing and Agriculture, Soil to Soul is an architectural project that goes beyond being a mere building prototype. It represents a transformative way of life, inviting individuals to forge a deeper connection with country and the food they consume. Proposing a new architectural paradigm, the project aims to create an immersive experience, enabling people to truly understand and appreciate the journey from soil to the soul. The site serves as a blueprint for a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, where people can reconnect with the source of their sustenance fostering a symbiotic relationship between humans and nature. Moving through the site, the architecture fades into the background and frames a sequential transition of agriculture through three landscape types, the central farming space, the productive colonnade, and then the more intimate garden courtyards. Through these varied moments, the project achieves the aspirations of the slow food movement. Ultimately, allowing the possibility of intensifying a sense of collective memory and shared experience whilst establishing a productive dynamic landscape. The future of our cities lies not in isolation but in the fertile ground of collaboration and the boundless possibilities that lie before us.
Read more: Graduate Maryann Aziz on building a better future in Western Sydney.
Georgia: As seen in the 2022 floods, Lismore has a history of repeated flooding and a resilient community of people who want to continue to live in the area. These conditions prompt a need for a new kind of specificity in the architecture of Lismore. Designs that are site specific, resilient in disaster-prone areas, and celebrate the unique ecological nature of a flood-prone environment. The design must be responsive to multiple time frames as all residents must know how to prepare for flood, protect themselves and their belongings in the event of an evacuation and recover their homes post-flood. It then becomes critical that homes become more adaptable domestic environments where belongings, furniture and architecture constantly change to meet each of these stages in a logical, rational and sensitive manner. The proposed retrofit equips residents of the existing housing stock with new domestic processes that aid in flood preparation and clean-up outlined in an accompanying handbook. Watertight, sealable chimney inserts along the centre of the floorplate provide dry storage rooms, while wet flood proofing strategies, including operable façade panels and furniture assemblies, are then used to restore and dry the house after a flood.
Jiayi: My design aims to revitalize the heritage status of the existing WBPS by introducing a NEW purpose – the space will be an innovative learning centre that explores creative learning mindset to enhance both self-awareness and community connectivity, triggering positive changes in future behaviors. Having inspired by the tubular machinery in the WBPS, the idea is to use ‘tubes’ to carry ‘a series of moments’ within the existing site, encouraging diverse user behavior and incidental, transitional experience.
What has working on your Woods Bagot project/s taught you?
Monique: I have gained invaluable lessons in time management and efficiency, particularly in prioritising tasks when editing visual elements like elevations, plans, and renders using Revit, Enscape, Photoshop, and InDesign under tight deadlines. Additionally, working closely with suppliers has improved my organisational skills, helping me understand their products and secure custom samples for carefully curated material boards.
I’ve also become highly adaptable, excelling in tasks such as creating art packs for consultants, documenting bathrooms, detailing joinery, and coordinating with suppliers for custom finishes. Taking responsibility for project schedules – including FF&E, Finishes, and Sanitary Schedules – has further enhanced my technical skills and reinforced the importance of attention to detail and clear communication for project success.
Maryann: Working on residential high-rise projects in the program has taught me the importance of adaptability and effective communication. The fast-paced nature of these projects demands foresight and a strong awareness of design. Throughout the program, I have learned to document designs systematically. These experiences have not only enhanced my technical skills but also deepened my understanding of architecture’s impact on society and the environment.
Jiayi: Definitely Revit skills and professional practice. Since everyone works on the same model, it’s crucial to ensure everything is set up correctly and ready for any last-minute changes. Another key skill is problem-solving. FF&E and material selection can be challenging at times due to constant changes in timelines, preferences, planning, pricing, availability, and suitability. Learning to be resourceful and collaborating with the knowledgeable people around you is essential for effective problem-solving. Don’t be afraid to ask questions—failing to do so can become a problem in itself.
Georgia: Through architecture projects, I have gained proficiency in new software programs and deepened my understanding of documentation standards and legislative guidelines. During my time working with the Sustainability team, Global Impact Group (GIG), I also developed skills in using the W-B environmental assessment tools, while learning about certifications, reporting, material selection, and advocacy.
At Woods Bagot, we are committed to creating an environment where difference is celebrated, valued and respected, practices are equitable, and our people feel like they belong. We accept that none of us is smarter than all of us. We believe building a diverse workforce is the foundation to creativity and innovative design – it is only by working together that we can realise the potential of our people, clients and communities around us. Through our inclusive leadership and our truly global studio network of strategists, experience designers and scientists, you will find your voice and have the support and flexibility required to bring your whole self to work and build an exceptional career.
Learn more about the Graduate Program.
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