City of Westminster student Kacper Plaszcyk recently completed a placement on the Warwick Avenue Public Realm improvement project, spending a week’s placement with 3 different design agencies Context Office, Studio Dekka, and BBUK, who are working with Westminster Council on the improvements to the public spaces around Warwick Avenue underground station in West London.
Kacper took part in a rigorous interview process where he had to present his own ideas to the lead design agency and explain his thinking.
Speaking on his interview, Victoria Wägner of Context Office said “Kacper’s enthusiasm for the role stood out, and I was impressed by his site observations and research-led approach, which aligns closely with the approach of our practice. With his keen interest in design as a career, I think he’ll get a lot out of the experience.”
It was a fantastic opportunity for the level 2 construction student to see infrastructure design in action, including investigating lighting design at night to see how it can affect the public’s experience.
In Kacper’s own words: “My work experience journey with the City of Westminster College and Westminster Council, alongside BBUK, Context Office, and Studio Dekka, was nothing short of extraordinary.
“From the outset, the college provided support, ensuring I was well-informed about each step of my placement. Initially I was a bit unsure by the prospect of eight-hour workdays, my concerns quickly dissipated as each company engaged me in meaningful tasks. Whether it was conceptualising ideas, testing lighting effects with Studio Dekka, or researching plant behaviours with BBUK, every moment was a learning opportunity.
“Participating in meetings, both online and in person, further enriched my experience, exposing me to real-world discussions and industry insights. A standout moment was the pitch presentation by GreenBlue company on Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS), which broadened my understanding of environmental sustainability.
“Reflecting on the experience, I am filled with gratitude for the chance to learn from professionals in a dynamic, hands-on environment. While challenging, it was immensely rewarding, offering a refreshing experience from the classroom settings. Without hesitation, I would happily do it again, to gain more knowledge and experience in the industry.”
This experience has helped confirm his future career choice, and Kacper hopes to progress to studying a T Level in Design Survey and Planning with us at the City of Westminster College next year.
Kacper took part in a rigorous interview process where he had to present his own ideas to the lead design agency and explain his thinking.
Speaking on his interview, Victoria Wägner of Context Office said “Kacper’s enthusiasm for the role stood out, and I was impressed by his site observations and research-led approach, which aligns closely with the approach of our practice. With his keen interest in design as a career, I think he’ll get a lot out of the experience.”
It was a fantastic opportunity for the level 2 construction student to see infrastructure design in action, including investigating lighting design at night to see how it can affect the public’s experience.
In Kacper’s own words: “My work experience journey with the City of Westminster College and Westminster Council, alongside BBUK, Context Office, and Studio Dekka, was nothing short of extraordinary.
“From the outset, the college provided support, ensuring I was well-informed about each step of my placement. Initially I was a bit unsure by the prospect of eight-hour workdays, my concerns quickly dissipated as each company engaged me in meaningful tasks. Whether it was conceptualising ideas, testing lighting effects with Studio Dekka, or researching plant behaviours with BBUK, every moment was a learning opportunity.
“Participating in meetings, both online and in person, further enriched my experience, exposing me to real-world discussions and industry insights. A standout moment was the pitch presentation by GreenBlue company on Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS), which broadened my understanding of environmental sustainability.
“Reflecting on the experience, I am filled with gratitude for the chance to learn from professionals in a dynamic, hands-on environment. While challenging, it was immensely rewarding, offering a refreshing experience from the classroom settings. Without hesitation, I would happily do it again, to gain more knowledge and experience in the industry.”
This experience has helped confirm his future career choice, and Kacper hopes to progress to studying a T Level in Design Survey and Planning with us at the City of Westminster College next year.