Author: Mirna Pedalo

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.”

“The International (dis)Order and the Crisis in Gaza” Roundtable Discussion with: Dr Aidan Hehir, Dr Yara Sharif, Dr Atef Alshaer, and Dr Catherine Charrett | Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 18:00 (GMT), UG05 at Regent Street campus

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

When: Tuesday, 12th of December 2023 at 6pm (GMT)

Where: 309 Regent Street, London W1B 2HW

The ongoing crisis in Gaza has generated intense debate worldwide and exposed a range of tensions – moral, legal, and political – that continue to beset the international system.  

This crisis did not happen in a vacuum and its repercussions will likely define international politics for many years to come.  

In this roundtable we will situate this crisis in context, analyse the key themes and issues that make it so controversial and emotive, and speculate on its long-term impact on the existing international order. 

This is a cross University event. 

All students and staff welcome.  

Architecture + Cities Research Seminar: Shengkang Fu “Creative Placemaking in Heritage Sites: The Case of Wudadao, Tianjin, China” | Monday, December 11, 2023 at 1pm (GMT) | Online

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When: Monday, 11th of December 2023 at 13:00 (GMT)

Where: Online

The final Architecture and Cities research seminar of the semester will be held next Monday, 11 December, 13.00 – 14.00. Shengkang Fu, one of our PhD researchers will present preliminary findings from her PhD in a seminar titled: ‘Creative placemaking in Heritage Cities: The Case of Wudadao, Tianjin, China.’

The link to the seminar is here.

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

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

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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

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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. 

Workshop: “Biodiversity Net Gain – Design and Delivery within development” | Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at 17:45 (GMT), The Alan Baxter Gallery + Online

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When: Tuesday, 19th of December 2023, from 5:45pm to 9:00pm

Where: The Alan Baxter Gallery, 77 Cowcross Street, London EC1M 6EJ

To register for attendance in person, please visit here.

To register for online attendance, please visit here.

This event is organised by the Landscape Institute (London branch) in association with the Chartered Institute of Ecology & Environmental Management 

“The mandatory requirement of Biodiversity Net Gain introduced under The Environment Act 2021 finally comes into force in January 2024. New developments need to achieve a 10 percent increase in suitable habitat on site, or off-site if on site gain is not possible. This requirement opens new opportunities for closer collaboration between Landscape Architects and Ecologists on future projects.

This event is an opportunity for us to mark Xmas 2023 together and meet friends, old and new.

This initial workshop presents a networking space to share knowledge, form partnerships and build new relationships between ecology and landscape architecture professionals. We will look at practical case studies of projects where Landscape Architects and Ecologists worked together to achieve net gain in biodiversity. We expect a future series of workshops to develop out of this programme.

We will share experiences and knowledge of BNG delivery which balance amenity with biodiversity enhancement. We will discuss opportunities and challenges associated with habitat design, creation and management. We will present examples of projects that have navigated the relationship and balance between habitat for wildlife and habitat that also provide amenity and local access.

There will be an opportunity to explore how the two professions use terminology to reflect their differing priorities and perspectives, to help articulate where conflicts can arise.”

5.45pm Registration and drinks

6.30pm Welcome and Introductions

6.40pm Discussion: What is BNG (and UGF) Peter Massini (Director, Future Nature Consulting Ltd.) and Mark Fisk (Director of Landscape Architecture, LUC)

7.10pm Tanith Cook – Case studies (Senior Associate Ecologist, Mott MacDonald)

7.30pm Mark Fisk – Case studies (Director of Landscape Architecture, LUC)

7.50pm Discussion / Q and A’s / Conclusions / Next steps

8.30pm Drinks, Finish and tidy up

9.00pm Move onto ‘The Three Compasses’ Pub which is just nearby for more Xmas drinks

Technical Studies Lecture Series: Mohammed Rahmany + Abderrahim Elmani from AWMA “Recent Projects”, Thursday, November 23, 2023 at 18:00 (GMT), M416 + Online

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

When: Thursday, 23rd of November at 6pm (GMT)

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

Based in Brixton, AWMA is an experimental design collective that explores key themes prevalent within social, spiritual, economic and urban realms – from celebrations to challenges – across the cultural spectrum with work that connects people and places. 

Mohammed is an architectural thinker and maker. Having worked for acclaimed international architecture firms over the years, he has played an instrumental role in projects, ranging from airport terminals, residential developments, sports stadiums, and several mixed-use spaces across the globe. Abderrahim is an architectural designer and dreamer. He has worked on a variety of scale projects, ranging from one-off private houses to large mixed-use master plans. His experience has been gained through several award-winning architecture practices, all of which have given him a real insight into the field. Abderrahim’s appetite for a holistic and considered approach is fundamental in any undertaken programme.  

Both Mohammed and Abderrahim are graduates of the University of Westminster and we are delighted to welcome them back to talk about their experience as a young design practice. 

For details contact Will McLean 

w.f.mclean@westminster.ac.uk 

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