Work placement with SRA

We understand the importance of supporting and developing those at the early stages of their careers, as well as the advantages that come with a fresh viewpoint and the dynamic perspectives of emerging professionals. This year, we welcomed two placements to the Practice, Louise Farnell and Isabelle Plater.

Louise joined us following her time living in Australia and working in practice while out there; she will be returning to University to complete her Master of Architecture in Newcastle. Isabelle has joined us for her six-month placement to gain professional experience as part of her degree from the University of Bath and is returning to complete her Bachelor of Architecture.

As their time with us sadly comes to an end, we asked them to reflect on their time in the practice:

Written by Isabelle Plater and Louise Farnell:

Isabelle has worked across a range of sectors, including Automotive, Technology and Workplace, contributing to projects at various RIBA design stages. Her experience has ranged from developing early-stage design options to supporting planning and tender packages, as well as contributing to later-stage interior design work. Louise has also covered some sectors, with a particular focus on Retail, contributing to projects at different stages of the design process. Her experience has included developing initial design concepts, producing presentation material, and supporting the delivery of projects. This has given her the opportunity to build her design skills while gaining a broader understanding of the practical and collaborative aspects of architectural practice.

Site Visits

Site visits were a valuable part of our placement, giving us the opportunity to witness live construction projects first-hand and understand how designs develop beyond the drawing stage. Visiting projects on site allowed us to gain later-stage experience and see the practical realities of construction, coordination and delivery. We were also able to shadow design leads during snagging, which gave us a clearer understanding of the level of detail involved in reviewing completed work and ensuring that projects meet the intended design quality. Visits to Grove Business Park, Bath Recycling and IKEA Wembley were particularly useful in broadening our understanding of different project types and stages, helping to connect the work we do in the office with its real-life outcomes on site.

New Office

Throughout our placements, we were heavily involved in the interior design of the practice’s new office in the centre of Bath. This was a particularly exciting experience, as it gave us the opportunity to contribute to a project that directly shaped the environment we would work in. Being part of the process meant we were able to witness the whole transformation of the space, from the early design ideas through to the final move. Seeing the office come together first-hand gave us a real appreciation of how design decisions can influence the character, atmosphere and day-to-day experience of a workplace.

Social

At the beginning of our placement, in March 2026, we were fortunate to join the team on a study trip to Barcelona. It was a brilliant opportunity to get to know everyone early on and acted as a great ice breaker, giving us a warm introduction to the social side of office life. During the trip, we visited some of the city’s most iconic architectural landmarks, including the Sagrada Família, which was incredibly impressive to experience from the inside, and Park Güell. Alongside the architecture, we also enjoyed plenty of delicious tapas, making the trip both inspiring and memorable.

The social side of the practice has been a really enjoyable part of our placement and has helped us understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance within the office. We were able to get involved in the social committee, which gave us the chance to help organise and take part in a wide range of activities beyond day-to-day project work. From badminton, pub lunches and BBQs to drawing lunchtimes, Bath Farm visits, mental health walks and Perk-Up lunchtime coffees, there were plenty of opportunities to spend time with colleagues in a more relaxed setting. Weekly ping pong championships quickly became a highlight! These moments helped create a welcoming, friendly atmosphere and made us feel part of the wider team.

Networking

Networking was another valuable part of our placement, giving us opportunities to meet other young professionals within the local construction industry and learn more about the wider built environment community. We attended a range of events, including the G4C x CIBSE Young Engineers Network South West Constructing Excellence Mini Golf Social, the G4C Constructing Excellence Bath Networking Breakfast, a Women in Property South West networking coffee morning and the Splashiest Networking Event. These experiences were a great way to build confidence in professional settings, make new connections, and gain insight into different job roles, project types and career paths across the industry. It was also interesting to hear about local projects and understand how different disciplines contribute to the delivery of successful places and spaces.

Conclusion

Overall, we have both thoroughly enjoyed our time at SRA. Our placements have given us valuable experience across new sectors, helped us develop our CAD skills and provided opportunities to be involved in client-facing discussions. A particular highlight was mentoring work experience students, which was both rewarding and enjoyable. We are grateful for the friendly and welcoming working environment at SRA and look forward to staying in touch with the team!