Category: News

A report titled “Women In Construction, Wood and Forestry – a Resource Toolkit for Gender Equality at Work” by ProBE, presented at the Congress of the European Federation of Building and Woodworkers (EFBWW) in Helsinki

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

According to Dr Rosa Schiano-Phan: “the report provides a toolkit for organisations to increase and improve the presence of women in construction, so it is set to have a high impact. However, it also highlights significant shortfalls in data on the presence and impact of Women In Construction in Europe and a slow progress compared to a similar study by Professor Linda Clarke 20 years ago. We are preparing a journal article on the study and will organise an event later in the semester to launch the report in the UK. We are also currently searching for appropriate research calls for possible bids.”

The report investigates women’s experience in the construction, wood and forestry industry based on a survey sent out by the EFBWW, the research partner on this project, to 77 Unions representing the industry across Europe. The survey focuses on the obstacles women in the field face and what solutions are needed to increase recruitment and retention. It is authored by Dr Guedes, a Research Associate at Westminster, and co-authored by ProBE’s co-directors Dr Rosa Schiano-Phan, Dr Maria Christina Georgiadou, Professor Linda Clarke and Dr Fernando Duran Palma. 

The project began earlier in 2023 when the ProBE team successfully answered the call put out by the EFBWW and funded by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), to analyse the survey data and produce a report.

The presentation in Helsinki was split into three sections, first introducing the report, secondly offering practical recommendations based on the survey results and finally highlighting what stood out the most from what they found. […]

University of Westminster, News: “Dr Coralie Guedes presents report on women in construction at conference in Helsinki”

To read the article in full please visit here.

Featured Image by EFBWW

Congratulations to Kacper Sehnke from BA Architecture DS3.2 on winning 2023 RIBA President’s Bronze Medal and RIBA Award for Sustainable Design at RIBA Part I

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

On December 14, at the 2023 RIBA President’s Medal Ceremony, Kacper Sehnke from BA Architecture DS3.2 was announced as the winner of this year’s RIBA President’s Bronze Medal (awarded for the best undergraduate project).

Kacper’s outstanding project The Council for Ecosystem Restoration was chosen from 147 entires from across the world. In addition, Kacper’s project was awarded the prestigious RIBA Award for Sustainable Design at RIBA Part I.

In the words of Harry Charrinton, the Head of School of Architecture + Cities:

“Kacper’s two awards reflect his remarkable creativity and endeavour. They also embody the wit and care of his tutors, and as well as acclaiming Kacper’s work, congratulations are owed to the staff who helped him get there. Among others these include, most immediately, his Design Studio 3.2 tutors, Eric Guibert and Bruce Irwin who set the brief and tutored his project throughout. The outstanding Technical & Environmental Studies team led by Will McLean, Pete Silver and Scott Batty. The BArch Course Leader Paolo Zaide and Year Leaders Jane Tankard, Natalie Newey and Richa Mukhia, who have raised the bar, and, together with his personal tutors Nick Beech and Elantha Evans, nurtured Kacper’s talent and confidence throughout the course.”

Architects’ Journal publishes a piece on “The Growing Space” by MArch DS20 led by Maria Kramer & Corinna Dean

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

The Growing Space is a 68m2 Douglas fir lightweight timber structure which adds to the existing cluster of buildings making up Cody Dock’s community hub. It runs a programme to expand the charity’s reach, running gardening and workshops for local schools, as well as space for rent.

The architecture was developed as part of a collaborative process. It has a structure of frames with cross-bracing and dry construction with all elements pre-cut with 3D-printed pegs reducing the construction time to 10 days. The base has six pad foundations with paving slabs, wrapped in polycarbonate, allowing the activities within to permeate out.

Architects’ Journal

To read the article in full please visit here.

Featured image by Edmund Sumner via Architects’ Journal

“The Growing Space” by MArch DS20 led by Maria Kramer & Corinna Dean featured in Architecture Today

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

Masters Architecture students at the University of Westminster have completed a lightweight, prefabricated timber structure that forms part of a therapeutic gardening project in east London.

Designed by the Live Design Studio for Masters Architecture students at the University of Westminster, The Growing Space forms part of the bustling citizen community hub at London’s Cody Dock. Constructed from Douglas Fir, the lightweight timber structure provides a space for horticultural activities. Led by tutors Maria Kramer and Corinna Dean, the 68-square-metre project is intended as a learning platform for students to expand their role as citizen architects.

Architecture Today

To read the article in full please visit here.

Featured image by Edmund Sumner for Architecture Today

Critical Subjects Spring Architecture School | Competition submissions by Thursday, November 16, 2023

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

To attend, please send your competition submission by 16 November 2023

CRITICAL SUBJECTS: ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN SCHOOL

This event takes place on 8-9th February 2024 in London. 

Cost: £20 (students). Includes hostel accommodation for the duration, breakfasts, materials, certificates, networks, tote bag, (potential) prizes, etc.

This short course is for architecture & design students, as well as graduate architects & designers.

See below (and attached poster).

_____________________

COMPETITION

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR STUDENTS, YOUNG ARCHITECTS & DESIGNERS.
“Critical Subjects: Spring Architecture & Design School” in central London
Entry submissions are due by 16 November 2023 

Details on How to Enter, here. 

APPLICATIONS FOR ENTRY:

To win a place you need to submit a 2-minute (max) video of architectural critique – to arrive by 16 November – that addresses ONE of the following provocations:

• Should we build on the Greenbelt?

or

• Whatever happened to the Space Age?

or

• We need fewer architects, more builders.

Videos must present a cogent, critical, persuasive argument on one of those topics; whatever side you take. Submissions will be judged by a respected, international jury of architects, academics and designers.*

Send ENTRIES to: futurecitiesproject@gmail.com

Details: http://futurecities.org.uk/2023/08/17/how-to-submit-your-entry/

Costs for the 2-day school: £27 total (£20 student concessionary rate) that includes the 2-day school, hostel accommodation and breakfast, materials, certificates and (potential) prizes.

Day 1 (8th February 2024): A day of debates at AHMM offices

Evening debate: “Global Futures” at BDP offices

Day 2 (9th February 2024): A day of making at Heatherwick Studio

Full details here:  http://futurecities.org.uk/critical-subjects/

Please forward to your students and network. It would be appreciated!

*Judges include:

Will Hunter, senior researcher, MIT & founder, London School of Architecture

Glenn Howells, partner, Howells

Andrew Nahum, principal curator of Technology and Engineering, The Science Museum

Alex Lifschutz, director, Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands

Alan Dunlop, director, Alan Dunlop Architect

Simon Allford, PRIBA & founder AHMM

Kim Quazi, director, Arup

Stefanie Schneider, UN Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme

Benjamin Spaeth, professor of Digital Design, Technische Hochschule Lübeck

Zhanet Mishineva, project architect, Clive Chapman Architects

Robert Adam, architect/writer

Azhar Azhar, founder, Azhar Architecture

Darryl Chen, Urban Design lead, Hawkins Brown

Patrik Schumacher, principal, Zaha Hadid Architects

Simhika Rao, associate director, HebHomes, Glasgow

Xing Ruan, dean, School of Design, Shanghai Jiaotong University, China

… additional names on the website

ArCCAT Student Representatives + Square Mile Farms: How to farm vegetables from hydroponic wall installed at Marylebone Campus

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

In 2022, the students in the School of Architecture + Cities received the funding from the Green Fund Scheme to install the hydroponic (green) wall at Marylebone Campus. The University of Westminster’s Centre for Education and Teaching Innovation (CETI) set up the Green Fund Award together with the Sustainability Team to support the students’ sustainability related projects.

The hydroponic wall demonstrates a sustainable method of growing plants without soil, by using water through which nutrients are pumped. This method produces crops quicker and uses 90% less water than soil-based growing methods, as well as requiring no pesticides. The ability to grow plants indoors also allows ‘farmers’ to control temperatures and lighting schedules to improve plant production.

This year, the ArCCAT student reps have been trained by Dhiresh Tailor, Farm Operations Manager at Square Mile Farms, to look after the hydroponic wall, including how to carefully monitor the nutrient solution, and adjust iron and PH levels weekly.

University of Westminster News

The ArCCAT student reps who took part in this initiative are Anna Prideaux, Architecture and Environmental Design BSc Honours; Julie Beech, Interior Architecture BA Honours; Antoni Canyelles, Architecture BA Honours; Maja Kurantowicz, Architecture MA; and Marie Laura Polselli, Interior Architecture MA student.

To find out more about this event please visit here.

ArCCAT members took part in University of Westminster’s inaugural annual Sustainable Development Goals Workshop

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

Westminster academics, University colleagues and postgraduate researchers came together on Tuesday 6 June to explore what the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) mean to them, to share best practice and to discuss ideas on how to overcome challenges while embedding them into the curriculum and their work. The University also announced a new commitment to Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship at the event. 

University of Westminster website

The ArCCAT Lead, Dr Ro Spankie worked with Professor Dibyesh Anand, Dr Pooja Basnett, and Morgan Lirette the Sustainable Development Advisor to organise the inaugural SDG Workshop.

5 ArCCAT Reps – Antoni Canyelles, Maja Kurantowicz, Rowan Isles, Pious Prosper Keku, and Maria Laura Poselli – helped organise the activities and host the occasion.

To read more about the event please visit here.

Professor of Politics, International Relations, and Critical Interdisciplinary Studies Nitasha Kaul debating with ArCCAT Student Rep Maria Laura Polselli 

OPEN2023: MArch Exhibition Videos by Kevin Wong from DS10

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

Now that OPEN2023 has closed, please enjoy these wonderful videos of the MArch design studios at this year’s graduating students’ exhibition. They were made by our talented 1st year MArch student Kevin Wong from DS10.

Credits (videos + featured image):

Email: wongkevin2020@gmail.com

Instagram: Kevinwth

Web: www.wthproduction.work

OPEN2023 continues until Sunday, July 2 in our Marylebone studios

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

When: Friday, June 16 – Sunday, July 2 (Monday-Friday: 10am-6pm; Saturday-Sunday: 10am-4pm)

Where: School of Architecture + Cities, University of Westminster, 35 Marylebone Road, NW1 5LS London

On Thursday, June 16 we launched OPEN2023, our graduating students’ degree show, featuring work from: 

  • Architecture BA
  • Architecture and Environmental Design BSc
  • Architectural Technology BSc
  • Designing Cities BA
  • Interior Architecture BA
  • MArch

The School is committed to its Polytechnic inheritance, and its aim remains to offer ‘a transformative higher education for all’. We view the diversity of our students drawn from across London and the world as key to our success, and we see difference, and a mix of experiences and views, as critical to our exploration of architecture and place. The impact of our student-staff initiatives, such as our Equity Forum and climate action taskforce, ArCCAT, can be seen increasingly in how the School’s projects contribute to meeting our societal and planetary challenges. We embed London practitioners in our core teaching teams to keep us alive to the dynamism of contemporary practice, and continue  to develop cross-disciplinary collaborations, such as with Imperial College Medical School and Westminster Council, and our Live Design Practice – currently on show at Cody Dock. That, in turn, our students are so valued by practices is hugely gratifying.

Harry Charrington, Head of School of Architecture + Cities, OPEN2023

The show was opened by Philomena Wales and it’s a part of the London Festival of Architecture. It continues daily in our Marylebone studios until July 2.

For those unable to visit us in person, the online version of the exhibition can be accessed here.

Photography by Rory Lindsay

Fire Experience Day – Fire Service College, Moreton-in-Marsh

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

On May 22, 2023 a group of staff and students from four courses within the School of Architecture + Cities, University of Westminster attended a Fire Experience Training Day hosted by the Fire Service Training College. The day was sponsored by Axa Insurance, Fire Protection Association (FPA) and School of Architecture + Cities, UoW. The experience and information gathered was particularly useful with regard to the new Building Safety Bill and the developing RIBA/ARB criteria on Design for Fire and Life Safety.

Staff attending:

  • Scott Batty
  • Paolo Zaide
  • Wilfred Achille
  • Adam Thwaites
  • Stefania Boccaletti

Students from, BA Architecture: Umi Sakai-Stoute, Rowan Isles, Oscar Chainey, Eric Turner

Students from, MA Architecture: Galina Dimova, Ramzi Ramzi, Simon McLanaghan

Students from BSc Architecture + Environmental Design: Anastasia Suzdaltseva Kazakova, Elspeth Prowse, Michelle Lai, Sara Stabiglieri

Students from Architectural Technology: Pascal Golda, Amjad Butt, Velina Drakalieva, T’Sean Blake