One to Watch


Ayokunle Ambali and Beth Starling, two young graduate designers from WILL+Partners


Words by Cathy Hayward

Who

WILL+Partners have two young designers who are ones to watch not only for their individual achievements, but also their outstanding ability to work as an inspiring, cohesive and dynamic team.

Beth Starling is a multiple award-winning graduate, winning the Lesley Jones Memorial Prize and the WILL+Partners Design Prize while studying for her master’s degree in interior design. Beth joined the WILL Academy, which aims to bridge the divide between the workplace and academia through student mentorship, before joining the Will+Partners team as an interior designer in May 2021. The British Council for Offices shortlisted Beth as a finalist for Graduate of the Year BCO NextGen Awards 2021.

Ayokunle Ambali (Ayo) is an undergraduate in architecture at Ravensbourne, who won the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust Scholarship Prize for an outstanding portfolio to further aid him in his architectural studies before embarking on his Masters. Ayo also joined WILL+Partners in May 2021. He was keen to take on a leading mentorship role within the WILL Academy where he is passionate about promoting diversity and inclusivity within the field of architecture.

Why

WILL+Partners continues to be a leading expert in the field of sustainability and wellness, backed by its commitment to evidence-based research, a philosophy and ethos that both Beth and Ayo embody wholeheartedly.

One YMCA: An initial concept design creating the possibility for this design to duplicated nationwide, helping people belong, contribute, and thrive within their local communities.

Beth feels passionately about how the built environment can better support its community and contribute to carbon net zero. Keen to support fellow women in the industry, Beth has been instrumental in creating the WILL+Partners Empowering Women in Design Networking Series. She believes ‘the ability to connect collaboratively is integral to inspiring future generations’. Beth is now a mentor within the WILL Academy, coaching undergraduate students coming through the WILL+Partners internship programme.

The Reimagined High Street – The Third Workspace: This third workspace encourages collaborative practices between remote workers, community members, entrepreneurial schemes, charity shops and coffee hubs, creating a new social centre.
The Reimagined High Street – The Third Workspace: This third workspace encourages collaborative practices between remote workers, community members, entrepreneurial schemes, charity shops and coffee hubs, creating a new social centre.

Ayo believes that ‘in life, learning is invaluable – it’s what stems growth. And when it comes to designing there is always something to learn, to build upon, to push the boundaries in my design’. Ayo explains, ‘I was fortunate to be introduced to the idea of a career in architecture through a close relative. At the school I attended, architecture wasn’t discussed as a career choice. I feel very passionately as a mentor within the WILL Academy to raise awareness of opportunities and of diversity and inclusion in architecture to the wider community schools and colleges.’

White Cloud Coffee: A welcoming and relaxed community environment that can easily be incorporated into the reimagined high street, allowing employees and customers to connect.
White Cloud Coffee: A welcoming and relaxed community environment that can easily be incorporated into the reimagined high street, allowing employees and customers to connect.

This dynamic duo are rapidly becoming a force to be reckoned with and have a new, inspiring podcast series with special guests coming soon.

The Centre of Finance and Reciprocity: Ayo explains, ‘Based in Shenzhen, larger companies provide work to promote and encourage success for smaller businesses,’ at the Qianhai Bay site.
The Centre of Finance and Reciprocity: Ayo explains, ‘Based in Shenzhen, larger companies provide work to promote and encourage success for smaller businesses,’ at the Qianhai Bay site.

Where

www.willandpartners.com








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