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September 15, 2008 is a date Phil Waind will not forget in ahurry. As the global financial crisis bit hard, his fledgling practice hit what turned out to be its low point. “LehmanBrothers filed for bankruptcy protection, and our phone rangtwice. Both calls were clients suspending designs,” he recalls.

Phil and fellow director Sonya Gohil had set up Waind GohilArchitects (WGA) in 2005 and opened their Shepherds Bush,London studio in July 2007, with two members of staff and avery modest turnover undertaking mainly residential projectsfor private clients. But the financial crunch forced them to cutthe team of five they had built up as the outlook became far lessrosy during this very uncertain period.

They fought back and their optimism, hard work and persistence paid off as the directors began to turn thingsaround. “We secured planning approval on our first significanthousing development – Raymond House in Enfield,” says Phil.

By 2010 things had improved to the point where opportu-nity started to knock on the door of smaller practices. “We hadambition to develop the practice into commercial sectors,including housing and leisure. Opportunities came, and relationships were formed, leading to multiple unit housingdevelopments, an extension to a modernist church, new one-off houses, holiday homes and hotels. As a result, the practice grew quite quickly to around 12 architectural staff.”

December 2013 proved to be a big landmark as WGAbecame WG+P. James Potter, previously a director at TheManser Practice, joined the team as a director. James’ significantexperience in the design and delivery of large-scale buildingsclearly complemented the team, Phil says: “We shared thevision to provide a great service and buildings which exceedexpectations.”

Has the practice approach changed along the way? “WhenSonya and I set up WGA in 2005 we had a vision to develop adesign-led studio, with commercial understanding, and an outstanding level of service,” Phil explains. “SimplicityBeyond the Obvious was the strapline we used to describe ourprocess of interrogation of complex (and sometime opposing) design constraints and opportunities, to distil rational, coherent solutions.”

In those early days Sonya developed her skills in the financialcontrol and management of an architectural firm, while Philestablished essential relationships with clients and colleagues, along with learning more about the importance of entertaining!

On the delivery side, Sonya harnessed her interest andspecialism in conservation, while Phil, whenever possible,brought his interest in experimenting with fabrication processesinto play.

Early residential projects in London that shaped theirapproach included structural glass and economictimber-framed extensions. Through these projects WG+P wasable to develop and hone the role of a designer forconstruction/fabrication processes – or, as product designerswould put it: “design for manufacture”.

This approach, including identifying the appropriate con-struction/fabrication process for each project at an early stage,and reinforcing this at every scale, is inherent in the practice’sdesign process today.

Designing for construction/fabrication, WG+P devises aclear strategy to meet the various scales of requirement,opportunity, context, cost and programme, with the processproviding form, materiality, decoration and sustainability ofcontemporary built results.

Norman Hayden meets WG+P,a young London company

going places

practice profile

(L-R) James Potter, Phil Waind and Sonya Gohil

Core Collective Gym Kensington

Regeneration: Ipswich Westgate Masterplan

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WG+P Fact fileWaind Gohil + Potter Architects is a RIBA Charteredpractice of 17 architectural staff based in West London,working in the housing, leisure, community and emergingwellness sectors.Designing for construction / fabrication, WG+P

devise a clear strategy to meet the various scales of

requirement, opportunity, context, cost and programme,with the process providing form, materiality, decorationand sustainability of contemporary- built outcomes. As well as undertaking commercial projects, WG+P

apply research and development in construction methods and emerging sectors, and lecture at schools of architecture.

As well as undertaking commercial projects, WG+P appliesresearch and development in construction methods and emerging sectors, and partners lecture at schools of architecture.

How do the three directors set the tone with their passionfor appropriate, contemporary architecture? The individualstrengths of the directors compliment each other: Phil spearheads strategy with James focusing on execution, whileSonya oversees practice management. Their experience, gainedover 50 years of running large-scale projects in commercial practice, is blended with an expanding team of 17 highly-motivated and talented architectural staff.

From their W12 studio they have structured the office intoteams and set out formal design review/crit processes. The coreprinciples and approach from the early projects is retained, butwith a structure capable of undertaking varied projects from alarge-scale 35,000 m2 mixed-use masterplan in Ipswich, includ-ing 450 units; to highly bespoke and innovative residentialextensions and new homes.

“We have also developed specialisms,” says Phil. “Withongoing research and development, in new fabricationprocesses and sectors such as spaces for the latest gym concepts– such as the Core Collective Gym in Kensington – and the recycling of pre-owned modular buildings as low-cost housing solutions.”

James Potter describes some of the current projects. First, theCore Collective: “This project is at the forefront of the emerging ‘wellness’ sector that encompasses a broader spectrum of well-being rather than focusing solely on physicalconditioning. It has led the way to a series of furtherprojects with start-ups and operators in the wellness sector.”

On the Westgate Masterplan, Ipswich James says: “This isan exciting and significant public realm and regenerationproject on the town’s inner ring road, moments away from

Willis Faber Dumas’s site famously redeveloped by NormanFoster in the 1970s. The project offers hotel, residential andretail buildings.”

Lastly, Farlows Lake fishing lodge, Buckinghamshire: “Thisis significant for the practice” says James: “it is a rare buildingthat is both wholly new, contemporary and within London’sGreenbelt in an attractive lakeside setting. The scheme utilisesoff-site fabrication to improve the quality and lessen time spenton site – two areas of design and construction process close to our heart.”

One of the current challenges for the team is developing thepractice’s portfolio of completed projects whilst maintainingand improving the quality of the designs. “This is by no meansa challenge unique to a young practice such as ours,” James adds.“But we hope to have put enough effort into our business planand the systems necessary to support its realisation in the future.”

“We want to strengthen and develop our approach to innovation with commercial understanding as part of the design approach. This will undoubtedly evolveas we explore the possibilities for off-site fabrication,where appropriate.”

Looking ahead, Phil feels the key is an enthusiasm to delivermodern, coherent designs: “We believe the creation of space isan enriching and positive experience to which we enjoy devoting our time and energies. We invite clients to put theirfaith in our ability to inspire and innovate.”

Based on a talented and committed team at Shepherd’s Bush,WG+P is looking to maintain its specialisms while taking onlarger and more sophisticated projects and so double in sizewithin the next five years.

With all three directors still under 40, the future trajectoryis full of promise.Norman Hayden – norman@netmagmedia.eu

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‘The key to ourwork is anenthusiasm todeliver modern,coherent designs’WG&P Architects

Farlows Lake fishing lodge, London

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