People · Podcast guest
William Gains
Architectural Assistant Part II · Bowman Riley
Architectural assistant at Bowman Riley, working across sectors from retail to electric-vehicle charging infrastructure.
- Current role
- Architectural Assistant Part II
- Practice
- Bowman Riley
- Location
- London, UK
- On the podcast
- 1 episode · 2020
The story so far
The path behind William's work.
William Gains is an architectural assistant at Bowman Riley, the RIBA-chartered practice with studios in Skipton, Leeds and London. He came into architecture by an unconventional route. After a difficult set of A-level results closed off the traditional university path, he took up work experience with a Skipton practice and went on to complete his undergraduate degree part-time over six years while working in the studio.
Across roughly seven years at Bowman Riley he has worked on projects spanning retail, residential, hospitality and the energy sector, including electric-vehicle charging infrastructure. His work on an EV charge hub for Shell led to an appearance in the company's national television advertising, where he spoke about the role of architects in designing the infrastructure for cleaner transport.
Episode 0038 · Architecture Social · 41:44
William Gains - Architecture, Electric Car Charging Stations and being featured on the Big Screen.
Architecture careers rarely move in a perfect straight line. The useful parts often come from unusual projects, side opportunities and being able to explain what each experience taught you.
Inside the conversation
6 moments to start with- 01
00:00 · Introduction and Guest Welcome
- 02
00:32 · Black Friday Shopping and TV Appearance
- 03
01:12 · Journey into Architecture
- 04
02:54 · Challenges and Early Career
- 05
04:44 · Part-Time Studies and Work Experience
- 06
08:22 · Finding a Job in Architecture
Profile in brief
The work and context behind William's conversation.
- Current role
- Architectural Assistant Part II
- Practice
- Bowman Riley
- Location
- London, UK
Continue exploring
Meet the practice behind the work.
Architecture, building consultancy and interior design across the UK since 1968.
- Greater London
- Residential
- Commercial
- Education
Podcast · moments that play
Start where the idea starts.
- 00:32William Gains · YouTubePlay this moment on video ↗Play on video ↗
Black Friday Shopping and TV Appearance
- 01:12William Gains · YouTubePlay this moment on video ↗Play on video ↗
Journey into Architecture
- 02:54William Gains · YouTubePlay this moment on video ↗Play on video ↗
Challenges and Early Career
- 04:44William Gains · YouTubePlay this moment on video ↗Play on video ↗
Part-Time Studies and Work Experience
- 08:22William Gains · YouTubePlay this moment on video ↗Play on video ↗
Finding a Job in Architecture
- 15:20William Gains · YouTubePlay this moment on video ↗Play on video ↗
Working at Bowman Riley
Selected work from Bowman Riley
Three projects, one connected practice.
A closer look at the practice’s work
Lowfield Green - York
A community-led housing scheme in York combines Passivhaus standards with modular and timber-framed homes.
View project →Co-op Soham - Smart Store Retrofit
An evidence-led retrofit turns a 1970s Soham supermarket into a more efficient, lower-maintenance store.
View project →Wharfe View - Burley in Wharfedale, Ilkley
Six new homes at Greenholme Mills use reclaimed stone and a distinctive roofscape to connect contemporary living with the site's industrial history.
View project →