Author: Mirna Pedalo

Technical Studies Lecture Series: “U-Build” Nick Newman, Studio Bark, Thursday, November 26 at 18:00 [online via BB]

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

When: Thursday, 26th of November at 6pm

Event Link (no need to register): https://eu.bbcollab.com/guest/df0e3de2a217453cb18c4d6f76fa0d9a 

Nick Newman is a Director of Studio Bark and the U-Build construction system. 

His experience spans environmental architecture, climate activism, circular economy construction and deep energy retrofits. Nick is a Passivhaus Designer and has contributed to a number of journals and publications, including the Environmental Design Pocketbook, the Passivhaus Designer’s Manual and an upcoming journal for the RIBA focusing on the Climate Emergency.  He speaks regularly at events on behalf of the studio and was named a ‘Rising Sustainability Star’ by Building magazine in 2014. Nick is an advocate for radical responses to the Climate Emergency, and, was arrested for his involvement with ‘protest architecture’ at the Extinction Rebellion protests in 2019 and 2020, which brought Central London to a standstill. 

For more details contact Will McLean – w.f.mclean@westminster.ac.uk 

Technical Studies website – https://technicalstudies.tumblr.com/ 

Two new publications in Studio as Book Series edited by John Zhang and Elantha Evans.

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

The School of Architecture and Cities is pleased to announce the publication of two new books in the Studio as Book Series:  

No. 4 A Tale of Two Cities, JID Studio, 2015-2020, edited by John Zhang, 2020   

No. 5 Dialogues + Dreams, DS(2)01, 2015-2018,  edited by Elantha Evans, 2020  

The Studio as Book series was launched in 2016 to highlight the creative work undertake in what was then the Department of Architecture’s design studios.  It was intended to reflectively position the work of a design studio within wider intellectual, scientific or aesthetic debate and to provide a reference for future iterations of the studio. The series includes undergraduate and graduate work, and each book covers the work of a design studio over the course of at least two years. The books are produced thanks to the dedication of staff and students involved.  

Previous iterations of the series are: 

No.3 The Intrinsic and Extrinsic City, DS11, 2008-2017, edited by Andrew Peckham and Dusan Decermic, 2018  

No.2 Dialogical Designs, DS(3)03, 2012-2015, edited by Constance Lau, 2016   

No.1 Architecture, Energy Matter, DS18, 2013-2015, edited by Lindsay Bremner and Roberto Bottazzi, 2016    

For more about the series, go here: www.studioasbook.org  

Books are currently available to purchase on Amazon.co.uk or through the editor of each book, but will shortly be available as hard copies from Fabrication Laboratory shop.  

FAME: Exposing the Barriers in Architecture | Friday, December 4, 18:00-19:30 GMT [Online event hosted by Architecture Foundation via Zoom]

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

When: Friday, 4th of December, 6pm-7.30pm

Eventbrite link

FAME will be hosting their first event to expose the barriers female architects of minority ethnic face in the architecture industry today

About this Event

FAME: Female Architects of Minority Ethnic: founded by Tumpa Husna Yasmin Fellows and Tahin Khan.

FAME Collective is a research-based network founded to support women of diverse backgrounds and ethnicities in architecture and the built environment. Their aim is to raise awareness of the barriers, inequality and lack of diversity in architecture and to demand change that responds to our collective challenges. This event is part of a series of events which will be documented and shared with those in power to change and address the inequality that exists in architecture.

Join us for the launch of FAME’s first symposium ‘EXPOSING THE BARRIERS IN ARCHITECTURE’ hosted by Architecture Foundation via Zoom, and presented by Tumpa Husna Yasmin Fellows. Our distinguished keynote speaker Sumita Singha (recent RIBA Presidential candidate). Our panel of speakers include Annette Fisher (from Let’s BUild), Hilary Satchwell (from Tibbalds and Part W), Femi Oresanya (from HOK and the Chair of the RIBA Architects for Change Expert Advisory Group) and Anna Liu (Director of Tonkin Liu, won the 2018 Stephen Lawrence Prize for Old Shed New House).

This is a participatory event to explore the impact of racism, injustice and inequality contributing to the barriers in architecture. We want to hear about the lived experiences of practitioners, academics and students from BAME backgrounds, to unpack the grievances.

FAME is responding to an urgent need for understanding how race and gender affects established practitioners, young scholars and students, from diverse backgrounds, knowledge and practices by engaging in conversations about the barriers in architecture and the built environment. Our aim is to collectively respond and to demand change and the much-needed support to overcome barriers of racial and gender inequality both in academia and in practices. Our Q + A and participatory sessions will provide an opportunity for participants to share experiences of racial and gender inequality in architecture and the built environment.

This event is being hosted by the Architecture Foundation via Zoom.

The details for all participants will be announced soon.

Technical Studies Lecture Series: “Post Pandemic Housing,” Kristofer Adelaide, Kristofer Adelaide Architecture (KA–A), Thursday, November 19 at 18:00 [online via BB]

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

When: Thursday, 19th of November at 6pm

Event Link (no need to register): https://eu.bbcollab.com/guest/ef03d69ea2934064a205c2159e77e760 

It is always a pleasure to welcome back former students and we are delighted to host a talk by Kristofer Adelaide (School of Architecture alumnus, 2009). Kristofer Adelaide Architecture (KA–A) was established in 2016 and is formed of a diverse range of architects, an artist, and accounts and management team. They are a young BAME led practice based in South London. KA–A employs a diverse team of ARB registered Architects, Designers, Architectural Assistants and a BIM Coordinator. They share resources with other architects when required as part of the London Architects Group and Paradigm networks, promoting BAME representation in the built environment. 

KA—A have developed an excellent reputation, obtaining difficult planning consents and successfully delivering projects across London and the South East. These consents have varied from small extensions and alterations in conservation areas, through to new build and multi-unit schemes. Our clients have been a mixture of private residential and medium scale developer led schemes. The practice has recently developed – the Architecture for (the) Reasonably Ordinary (A.F.R.O) House – A concept dwelling, that uses modular construction to satisfy high housing demand, with quality manufacturing, working toward a zero-carbon and passive design standard. Inspired by the Garden Cities movement, this initiative seeks to provide affordable housing in a flexible, scalable way to meet local demand. 

In October KA–A were awarded RIBA London practice of the month, and the practice were recently one of Seven practices shortlisted to pitch ideas for post-pandemic housing that addresses the needs of young people to a panel led by residential developer HUB. In August 2020 they were one of six practices selected for the Brick by Brick – housing infill project in Croydon, working in partnership with the Stephen Lawrence Trust.  

Technical Studies Lecture Series: “Creating Civilised Cities,” Chris Williamson, Weston Williamson and Partners, Thursday, November 12 at 18:00 [online via BB]

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

When: Thursday, 12th of November at 6pm

Event Link (there is no need to register): https://eu.bbcollab.com/guest/8cfdaba2b81a485d803c0a3181bc6da7 

Weston Williamson and Partners have gained a reputation for the elegant design and craft of complex design challenges. Their work includes significant infrastructure projects such as the new station at Barking Riverside, the centrepiece of a massive regeneration scheme. Other recent rail projects include two new stations on the Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) at Woolwich and Paddington Station. The Paddington project has been described by the client as “…the jewel in the Crossrail crown.” 

When Chris was asked to work with Andrew Weston for group projects at Leicester School of Architecture (for no other reason than they were next to each other alphabetically) he discovered that their skills didn’t overlap but dovetailed perfectly. Their shared ambition made for a perfect business partnership. Forty years later Chris manages and directs the studio and has recently published WW+P’s vision for the next 20 years, which talks about a diverse, collaborative design studio with strong delivery skills. In addition to being a chartered architect, Chris has an MSc in Project Management and believes strongly that the art of architecture requires excellent business skills in order to be realised. Chris has recently been the International Vice President of the RIBA responsible for setting a strategy to grow into a global membership institution and to encourage more UK architects to seek work globally.  

Chris and Weston Williamson also generously provide academic partnership and support to March studio DS22 run by Nasser Golzari and Yara Sharif. 

For more details contact Will McLean – w.f.mclean@westminster.ac.uk 

Technical Studies website – https://technicalstudies.tumblr.com/ 

RIBA Student Support Fund – Autumn 2020 Application Cycle | Deadline: Friday, November 27 at 17:00 GMT

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

The RIBA Student Support Fund – Autumn 2020 Application Cycle is now open. The full details including guidance notes and application form can be found on the RIBA website here.

The purpose of the RIBA Student Support Fund is to alleviate financial hardship for students of architecture enrolled in RIBA Part 1 and 2 courses in the UK. Applications are welcomed from students who have encountered recent financial barriers during their studies and would benefit from assistance to successfully complete the academic year. Students may apply for a maximum bursary of £3,000 in this application cycle.

The deadline to apply is 5pm on Friday 27 November 2020.

Technical Studies Lecture Series: “Recent Projects,” Sophie Hicks, Wednesday, November 4 at 17:00 [online via BB]

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

When: Wednesday, 4th of November at 5pm

Event Link: https://eu.bbcollab.com/guest/f9e3ae5001874d12b6a507f5d1160bd6

Sophie Hicks established Sophie Hicks Architects in 1990 whilst still a student at the Architectural Association and she became a chartered architect in 1994. Prior to her career as an architect she worked in fashion: as a stylist for Vogue Magazine; and for the designer, Azzedine Alaia. She leads a practice with a focus on both fashion retail and private residential design. Her retail projects include Westbourne House with Paul Smith, his “shop in a house”; and the development of a store concept for Chloé, with signature plywood walls, which has been used in over one hundred stores worldwide. Sophie has also worked closely with Yohji Yamamoto to design his flagship store in Paris; and she created a new-build flagship store for Acne Studios in Seoul.

In parallel with her retail designs, Sophie Hicks acquired three sites in London, all in conservation areas, with the intention of building a contemporary house on each. The first, a small house in Regent Square, was completed in 2014. The second, a street-facing house in Earl’s Court Square, was completed in 2018. The third, a larger house in Holland Park, has obtained planning permission. New-build, contemporary houses are relatively rare in central London, because of the strong culture in the UK of preservation of the historic environment. Sophie has designed these new houses to “…respect the past, and respond to it, while at the same time expressing the spirit of our own times.” Sophie Hicks is a member of the Panel for Creative and Design at the Institute for Apprenticeships (IFA). The aim of the IFA is to improve the work opportunities and job satisfaction of young people, avoid student debt, and address the skills shortage in the UK.

For more details contact Will McLean – w.f.mclean@westminster.ac.uk

Technical Studies website – https://technicalstudies.tumblr.com/

Competition: Transforming Urban Landscapes | Deadline: December 4, 2020 at 17:00

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

This new international ideas competition launched by the Landscape Institute will be of interest to students and/or professionals. 

The aim of the competition is to respond to the current debates on the design and use of our urban landscape in light of the COVID-19 crisis. Deadline 4th December.

https://competitions.landscapeinstitute.org/transforming-the-urban-landscape/

Robin Evans Lecture 2020: Eyal Weizman | November 24, 2020 from 18:30 to 20:30

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

About this Event

For the 2020 iteration of the annual Robin Evans Lecture, we are delighted to be joined by Eyal Weizman, founding director of Forensic Architecture and Professor of Spatial and Visual Cultures at Goldsmiths, University of London. 

In light of the current pandemic this year’s lecture will be delivered online via the University of Westminster’s GoToWebinar account. Further details around the topic and discussion of this year’s lecture will be made available in due course.

Registration for the Lecture

You can register for the event on Eventbrite; either by scanning the QR code in the above invite, or by visiting:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-robin-evans-lecture-2020-eyal-weizman-tickets-125144022139

Upon registration on Eventbrite your name and email address will be added by the Event Coordinator to the individual GoToWebinar registration page. By registering on Eventbrite, you consent to these details being added to the GoToWebinar registration page for the event.

You will receive a separate email within 1 working day from University of Westminster (via customercare@gotowebinar.com) with a calendar invite and a unique link to join the Webinar. Please note: This link is unique to each registrant and should not be shared with others.

About the Speaker

Eyal Weizman is the founding director of Forensic Architecture and Professor of Spatial and Visual Cultures at Goldsmiths, University of London.

The author of over 15 books, he has held positions in many universities worldwide including Princeton, ETH Zurich and the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. He is a member of the Technology Advisory Board of the International Criminal Court and the Centre for Investigative Journalism. In 2019 he was elected life fellow of the British Academy and appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to architecture.

Eyal studied architecture at the Architectural Association, graduating in 1998. He received his PhD in 2006 from the London Consortium at Birkbeck, University of London

About the Robin Evans Lecture Series

This series supports outstanding scholarship in the history of architecture and allied fields, building on the work of Professor Robin Evans (1944-1993). It encourages scholars working on the relationship between the spatial and social domains in architectural drawing, construction and beyond. Evans’ work interrogated the spaces that existed between drawing and building, geometry and architecture, teasing out the points of translation often overlooked.

From his early work on prison design and domestic spaces, through to his later work on architectural geometry, Evans sought to articulate the multiple points at which the human imagination could influence architectural form. His first book, The Fabrication of Virtue, analysed the way that spatial layouts provided opportunities for social reform via their interference with morality, privacy and class. In The Projective Cast: Architecture and its Three Geometries, Evans traced the origins of the humanist tradition to understand how human form influenced architectural drawing and construction, focusing on aesthetic dimensions in the production of architectural space.

This series will provide opportunities for the creation and/or dissemination of work by scholars working on similar questions of space, temporality, and architecture. In particular, it supports work that breaks the boundaries of traditional disciplines to think though these complex networks involved in the space between human imagination and architectural production.

Technical Studies Lecture Series: “Sartfell Retreat,” Greg Lomas, Thursday, October 22 at 18:00 [online via BB]

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

When: Thursday, 22nd of October at 6pm

Event Link:  https://eu.bbcollab.com/guest/6a1c461ca47949b5b6fbe718f5b076a5

‘Sartfell Retreat is one of those rare projects which appears to emerge out of the earth, providing a sense of permanence and protection for the clients to live with, and amongst the elements of the weather, wildlife and local ecology’  

Will Foster (Foster Lomas)

Foster Lomas is a UK-based architecture practice established by William Foster and Greg Lomas in 2005.  The practice has developed a diverse portfolio of work, ranging from highly tailored homes for private clients to a canal-side mixed-use development in Dhaka, Bangladesh, the multi award winning Sartfell Retreat on the Isle of Man and a 10-year masterplan for a 134-hectare site set within the Grand Sasso National Park of Abruzzo, Italy. 

Sartfell Retreat is part of a growing body of commissions through which the practice explores the relationship between landscape and self-sustaining architecture. Foster Lomas’ response to the site relates to their research and experience of drystone construction whilst working in the Abruzzo region of Italy. Building on this vernacular technology, they have reinterpreted the local Manx stone structures to create an original building in its unique setting. The rural environment inspires their architectural aesthetic and the practice’s diverse backgrounds in craft and product design, including blacksmithing and lighting, allow for continual experimentations and innovations. 

For more details contact Will McLean – w.f.mclean@westminster.ac.uk 

Technical Studies website – https://technicalstudies.tumblr.com/