Tag: Architecture

MArch History and Theory Guest Lecture Series: “Extractivism as Aesthetics” by Prof Eray Çaylı | Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 18:00 (GMT) in M416 (Robin Evans Room)

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

When: Thursday, 29th of February 2024 at 6pm

Where: M416, Marylebone Campus, University of Westminster, 35 Marylebone Road, NW1 5LS

“Since colonialism’s outset as a modern political project, images have been central to extractivism, a racial practice that reduces parts of the Earth and its inhabitants to exploitable and marketable resources. How does this centrality operate in a context where visual culture itself has become an extractive industry with images as its raw material, many of them documenting extractivist violence? The question is nowhere more salient today than in Turkey’s Kurdistan where both conventional resource extraction and the extractive industrialization of visual culture have continued apace and loomed large during the rapid shift in 2015-16 from peace talks to all-out war. In this talk (and his forthcoming book of the same title), Eray Çaylı discusses visual culture’s role in waging, making sense of, and contesting environmental violence. Informed by collaboration-driven research, he analyses images produced and circulated across contemporary art, photojournalism, and social media, charting the visual ecologies involved in this production and circulation.”

Prof Dr Eray Çaylı is a Professor of Human Geography with a focus on violence and security in the Anthropocene at the University of Hamburg, Germany.

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.”

Technical Studies Lecture Series: Sho Ito “Nature’s Treasures: Celebrating Earth’s Natural Resources” | Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 18:00 (GMT), M416 + Online

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

When: Thursday, 30th of November at 6pm (GMT)

Where: M416, University of Westminster, 35 Marylebone Road, NW1 5LS + Online

Sho Ito is a registered architect, educator in the UK and the founder of Studio ITO: Interdisciplinary Thought Operations (www.s-ito.co.uk / Instagram: @studio__ito) a design and research studio working with large-scale housing developments in Cambodia, café renovations in London to private homes in Tokyo. Ito graduated from the Architectural Association School of Architecture (AA). He has extensive experience and knowledge in both the academic and architectural industry, having previously worked at Stirling Prize-winning offices, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, dRMM (de Rijke Marsh and Morgan) and AHMM (Allford Hall Monaghan and Morris) in the UK across the commercial sector.

Nature’s Treasures: Celebrating Earth’s Natural Resources is Ito’s research agenda and personal interest where he attempts to analyse and understand ‘space’ that is inherently linked to the extraction of natural resources. Furthermore, exposing how the commodification process of the strategic systems and infrastructures developed in place allows corporations to manipulate and financially gain from resources that should be democratic. Ito explores the unknown and the hidden through critically analysing and articulating conditions that are spatial through multiple scales, from the territorial, urban, block, and building to the room.

By facilitating knowledge exchange and collaboration, the lecture seeks to generate discussion and awareness that responds to balance the needs of current and future generations while safeguarding the planet’s ecological integrity.

For details contact Will McLean

w.f.mclean@westminster.ac.uk

“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

Architecture + Cities Research Seminar: Sean Griffiths “On Architecture and Language” | Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 1pm (GMT) | Online

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

When: Thursday, 30th of November 2023 at 13:00 (GMT)

Where: Online

At the next Architecture and Cities Research Seminar on Thursday, 30 November, 13.00 – 14.00, Sean Griffiths will speak “On Architecture and Language”.

The link to the seminar is here. 

Technical Studies Lecture Series: Scott Batty + Urna Sodnomjamts “The Architecture of Retrofit”, Thursday, November 16, 2023 at 18:00 (GMT), M416 + Online

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

When: Thursday, 16th of November at 6pm (GMT)

Where: M416, University of Westminster, 35 Marylebone Road, NW1 5LS + Online

Scott Batty is an architect with 30 years of experience making, building, designing, and shaping the profession of architecture. As part of The Technical and Professional Studies team Scott has developed the curriculum including initiatives for students to monitor live building sites and he has devised the University of Westminster Sustainable Design Principles. Scott’s work with students has been presented to the Architect’s Climate Action Network (ACAN). Scott Batty has recently initiated and led student and staff visits to the Fire Service Training College, Moreton-in-Marsh for ‘Fire Experience Days’ funded by AXA insurance. These visits provide an invaluable and unforgettable insight into fire and the built environment and have recently featured in the RIBA bulletin.

Scott has first-hand experience with domestic retrofit, and he has developed an innovative design approach to the selective fabric and service domestic upgrade. Scott has stylishly retrofitted his own house and continues to monitor the house for thermal comfort and energy savings.

Urna Sodnomjamts is a recently qualified Architect with three years’ experience as a Part II architectural assistant working for firms such as dMFK, Hut Architecture and Matthew Lloyd Architects. In practice, Urna has worked on retrofit schemes using design & build and traditional procurement with particular sensitivity in understanding client quality requirements and construction viability. Urna is an active researcher in innovative, sustainable construction methods informed by low-tech, environmentally conscious communities. In 2018 Urna co-founded the Association of Mongol Architects a non-profit organisation for architects and architecture students. Urna published some of her research on the vernacular tradition of the Mongolian ‘Ger’ or ‘Yurt’ in Environmental Design Sourcebook by Will McLean and Pete Silver, RIBA Publications 2021.

Urna previously taught part-time as part of the technical studies team and she has recently joined us at the School of Architecture and Cities, University of Westminster as a lecturer in Regenerative Technical and Environmental Design.

Congratulations to Rūta Perminaitė from MArch DS22 on being selected as one of 12 finalists for the EU Mies Van der Rohe Young Architecture Talent Award 2023

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

The School of Architecture + Cities is dighted to announce that the shortlisted project of Rūta Perminaitė, MArch student from last year’s DS22 cohort, has gone to the next stage and has been selected as one of the 12 finalist projects for the prestigious EU Mies Van der Rohe Young Architecture Talent Award, an EU prize for Contemporary Architecture. 

You can view Rūta’s project here.

The announcement has taken place in Venice and the project is currently being exhibited as part of the Laboratory of Education in Venice Biennial.

The finalists will go to the third stage where 4 finalists and a winner are to be announced. 

The Awards Ceremony will take place on 29th of June in Venice, in Palazzo Michiel. 

About the Young Talent Architecture Award (YTAA) 

The Young Talent Architecture Award (YTAA) aims to support the talent of recently graduated Architects, Urban Planners and Landscape Architects who will be responsible for transforming our environment in the future. YTAA has emerged from curiosity about and interest in the initial stages in these students’ development and a desire to support their talent as they enter into the professional world.

The winning projects will be distinguished for their excellence, authenticity and innovative nature, as well as their sustainable approach.

The winners will receive a financial reward and will become part of the network of awarded architects of the Prize. Moreover, they will have the opportunity to travel, visit and experience the best examples of architecture.

Featured image: “Paradise on the Edge” by Ruta Perminaite

UoW + London Festival of Architecture: Hamza Shaikh “Drawing Attention: Architecture in the Age of Social Media” | June 8, 2023 at 6.45pm (BST) in MG14, Marylebone Campus, University of Westminster

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

When: Thursday, June 8, 6.45pm-7.45pm

Where: MG14, Marylebone Campus, University of Westminster, 35 Marylebone Rd, NW1 5LS

The School of Architecture + Cities is excited to host its alumnus Hamza Shaikh, who will be speaking about his recently published and timely book on architecture and social media.

Drawing Attention – Architecture in the Age of Social Media by Hamza Shaikh is a new book published by RIBA which provides practical drawing guidance from leading figures around the world.

In the context of huge changes occurring in the profession of architecture as well as the education system, Shaikh’s book sets the tone for a new era of architectural dissemination. “New tools, media, interfaces and ideas are emerging through social media; our new digital common for inspiration and communication. Students now go to Instagram for drawing guidance as universities tend not to explicitly teach artistic expression – arguably the most useful skill for visionaries and creative professionals. However this book provides step-by-step insights into a huge variety of drawing styles and methods to help people gain confidence in their creative potential”.

Join Hamza Shaikh at the University of Westminster for an in-depth dive into the journey of writing his book and understanding the exciting but unknown future of architects in the age of social media.

LFA Website

For more information and to book your free ticket please go here.

Shape to Fabrication 2023 [ STF #8 ] | Workshops: 22nd – 24th April 2023 | Conference: 26th-27th April 2023 at the University of Westminster, Marylebone Campus

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

When: Workshops on Saturday 22nd, Sunday 23rd, and Monday 24th of April 2023 | Conference on Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th 2023

Where: University of Westminster, 35 Marylebone Rd, NW1 5LS

The School of Architecture + Cities is hosting Shape To Fabrication 2023. This is the first time that the industry leading event has been hosted by a university. The conference sessions are co-moderated by Arthur Mamou Mani (MArch DS10 tutor).

Shape to Fabrication is an Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) and Design focused conference, presenting innovative real world projects going beyond the theoretical. Focus is on proven application and evidence based project delivery.

Presenters at the conference represent an international field of Architects, Engineers, Designers, Fabricators and Software Developers, all working at the cutting-edge of their industries within AEC and Design.

The 8th iteration of Shape to Fabrication is presented in partnership with the School of Architecture and Cities, University of Westminster, and the 2-day conference takes place at the University of Westminster’s Marylebone Campus, London, on the 26th & 27th April 2023.

For more information and to book tickets please go here.

University of Westminster staff and students, to book please use the links below:

Featured Image: Shape to Fabrication, Brian Gillespie, Robert McNeel and Associates, 2018

Architecture History + Theory Guest Lecture: Hélène Binet, “The Making of a Photograph” | Thursday, March 30 at 18:00 (BST) in Robin Evans Room (M416)

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

When: Thursday, 30th of March 2023 at 6pm (BST)

Where: Robin Evans Room (M416), University of Westminster, 35 Marylebone Rd, NW1 5LS

“The making of a photograph is constructing a microworld: it has its own technique, craft and aim. Through this lecture, we will explore thirty-five years in the making.”

Over a period of more than thirty-five years Hélène Binet has captured both contemporary and historic architecture. She is a fervent advocate of analogue photography, working exclusively with film, and a firm believer that ‘the soul of photography is its relationship with the instant’.

Binet’s work has been exhibited in both national and international exhibitions, including a solo exhibition at the Power Station of Art, Shanghai, in 2019. She was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 2007 and in 2015 was the recipient of the Julius Shulman Institute Excellence in Photography Award. She was also the recipient of the 2019 Ada Louise Huxtable Prize, awarded to a woman who has made a major contribution to architecture, and is one of the Royal Photographic Society’s Hundred Heroines.

ALL WELCOME