Open Studio is an interactive project run by the School of Architecture + Cities at the University of Westminster to make its design, research and practice-based work available online while it is happening. The site acts as a real time teaching and learning environment in which the work of both students and staff is curated and documented – the work of its design studios, or its other teaching and research groups and workshops. Read more in Blog, follow us on Twitter and like us on Instagram.
When: Monday, 19th of May 2025, 1pm-2pm (BST)
Where: Online
The final A+C research seminar of the year will take place on Monday, 19 May online here.
It will be given by Krystallia Kamvasinou and Lorenzo Iannizzotto on the subject of Reimagining Terrain Vague: A Socio-ecological Approach for Vacant Urban Land.
All are welcome.
When: Thursday, 19th of June 2025 at 6pm (BST)
Where: Marylebone Campus, University of Westminster, 35 Marylebone Rd, NW1 5LS
THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER’S SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND CITIES INVITES YOU TO OPEN 2025
Head of School Kate Cheyne cordially invites you to attend the opening of the graduating students’ degree show, OPEN 2025, featuring work from:
· Architecture BA
· Architecture and Design Foundation
· Architecture and Environmental Design BSc
· Architectural Technology BSc
· Urban Planning and Design BA
· Interior Architecture BA
· MArch
Preview
Thursday 19 June, 6 – 9pm
Book to attend the launch via Eventbrite
Exhibition continues (open access)
Friday 20 June – Sunday 6 July
Marylebone | University of Westminster, London
You can also RSVP to DCDI-Events@westminster.ac.uk
Image credit: Emma Wilkinson, MArch
WHEN: Thursday, 3rd of April 2025 at 6pm
WHERE: M416 (Robin Evans Room), Marylebone Campus, University of Westminster, 35 Marylebone Road, NW1 5LS
“Until it is built, all architecture is speculative fiction. As we contemplate the built worlds we will bring into being through our design work, this talk invites us to use methods of collective writing and making to learn from the speculative fiction authors who imagine alongside us.”
WHEN: Thursday, 27th of March 2025 at 6pm
WHERE: M416 (Robin Evans Room), Marylebone Campus, University of Westminster, 35 Marylebone Road, NW1 5LS
Based on research conducted for her book, No Compromise: the work of Florence Knoll (Princeton Architectural Press, 2021), this presentation will look at the work of this iconic American designer. Florence Knoll was one of the minds behind the iconic Knoll enterprise: a company which became well-known for the licensing and distribution of some of the most seminal furniture pieces of the twentieth century – including the Barcelona collection, by Mies van der Rohe; the Tulip Collection, by Eero Saarinen; and the Diamond Collection, by Harry Bertoia.
“My research looks at the role Knoll had in commissioning and overviewing the production of these pieces (alongside many other classics issued by the company during her tenure), while also looking at her other activities in the company: her contribution to the development of the company’s unique marketing profile, the creation of a highly innovative textile department, and, most importantly, the establishment of the Knoll Planning Unit, the interior design division that she ran, and through which she invented the infamous ‘Knoll look’.”
Dr Ana Araujo was trained as an architect and currently works in the fields of art curating, research and education. Her interests range across the fields of design, the visual arts, psychology, anthropology and gender studies. Ana also runs an online art gallery which is focused on the investigation of the feminine in art and culture. She is currently course director of the MA Interior Architecture and Design course at Birmingham City University.
When: Monday, 17th of March 2025 at 6pm
Where: M416 (Robin Evans Room), Marylebone Campus, University of Westminster, 35 Marylebone Road, NW1 5LS
In this lecture Professor Harry Charrington advocates for a more engaged history of architecture and place-making. He discusses some remarkable work in Helsinki and Kumasi, and introduces individuals with their own distinctive agency, showing that how they did things became what they achieved. He argues we need to share more stories like these if we are to develop a praxis capable of addressing the complexity of the living world. This is largely a task of recovery; these stories already exist as tacit knowledge in our day-to-day practices. Reflecting on over thirty years of practice, teaching, and research, and utilising archival material and oral histories, Charrington suggests how we might restore them to history – i.e. to humanity.
The event will be followed by a drinks reception – to close at 20:30.
When: Monday, 24th of March 2025 at 4pm
Where: M416 (Robin Evans Room), Marylebone Campus, University of Westminster, 35 Marylebone Road, NW1 5LS
Prof Jim Coleman is head of Economic Advisory at WSP and also a professor of professional practice in the School of Architecture and Cities at the University of Westminster. For many years Jim has advised both public and private sector organisations – in the UK and internationally – on the economics of large-scale spatial planning and real estate projects. This includes developing strategies to maximise both economic and social impacts of development and to adjust development programmes and phasing to better reflect a balance of commercial, financial and wider social interests. Jim will draw upon his professional experience to provide insights into how spatial and real estate plans can be shaped to address multiple priorities, as well as reflecting on emerging approaches to creating and measuring social value through development.
ALL ARE WELCOME
WHEN: Thursday, 13th of March 2025 at 6pm
WHERE: M416 (Robin Evans Room), Marylebone Campus, University of Westminster, 35 Marylebone Road, NW1 5LS
CJ Lim and Luke Angers lecture will be based on their recent book, Dreams + Disillusions:
“Dreams + Disillusions explores the plethora of ideas and ideologies that have shaped and reshaped architecture and cities. Its research fluctuates between the world of concrete reality and the multiple universes that exist in lucid prose, poetic visions, and the outrageous imaginations of history’s (in)famous minds. The six chapters reveal architectural stories of urban lives, gender equality, spatial and social justice; exploring how dreams, whether shaped by circumstance, manipulation, or planned perfection, dreams can sometimes be left disillusioned. With 18 illustrated speculative case studies and over 150 drawings, the book presents an abundance of curious imaginings, diverse provocations and satirical criticism.”
Copies of the book will be available for purchase after the lecture at a discounted price of £20 each (cash only).
CJ Lim is the Professor of Architecture & Urbanism at the Bartlett, UCL. Continuing his passion for architectural storytelling, Dreams + Disillusions is his 12th authored book, and has claimed the number one spot on Routledge’s 2024 Annual Bestsellers List, making it his 6th book to achieve this distinction.
Luke Angers is an architect and author. He has a long-standing interest in the spatial narratives of urbanism and landscape.
