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.
Hamza Shaikh is an MArch student at the School of Architecture and Cities, who has just completed his RIBA Part 2 Diploma in DS23, and is well-known for his popular podcast series on architecture and design Two World Design.
His MArch final project “The Sleep Institute” was recently featured on Design Boom.
To read more about his project and look at his fantastic portfolio please visit here.
Featured image by Hamza Shaikh
Architect and MArch DS10 tutor Arthur Mamou-Mani has teamed up with Dezeen to give a virtual-reality tour of his Burning Man projects, which will take place today, Monday, June 8, as part of the Dezeen‘s Virtual Design Festival (VDF) at 4:00pm UK time.
Following the great success of his Galaxia temple built in 2018 that ritually went up in flames at the end of the Burning Man, this year Mamou-Mani conceived a new project, an amphitheatre named Catharsis.
Catharsis won’t be physically installed, as this year’s Burning Man was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, but can be visited as part of our virtual reality tour with Mamou-Mani at 4:00pm this evening.
Dezeen
Ahead of this event, Mamou-Mani has shared some previously unseen aerial footage of Galaxia, which you can see and read more about here.
Featured image of Galaxia by Jamen Percy via Dezeen
When: Saturday, June 6, 2pm
Where: Instagram Live @twoworlds.design
This Saturday, 6th of June at 2pm Hamza Shaikh, DS23 MArch student and the creator of a popular podcast series Two Worlds Design will be joined by three inspiring professionals in the field of architecture to discuss the difficult questions around employment in post-COVID-19 world.
Hamza says:
Many students, myself included, are anxious and confused about the job landscape in architecture. There are many questions to be asked, but we don’t know whom to ask and when to ask. Well, the time to ask is now, and some of the people to ask are joining me this Saturday for this one-off event, LIVE on Instagram. But we need YOU to engage for this to work. Our last event was very successful, and this time we want to hear your voices. If you have any questions, views or experiences on this topic, PLEASE send me a message. We are looking for 3 people to join this event. Otherwise, send your general questions about what you would like to be addressed. See you there!
The event will end with the announcements from Arthur Mamou-Mani and a collective Muslim Women in Architecture, so make sure you tune in!!!
Charlotte was mentored by Dr Kate Jordan, Senior Lecturer in the School of Architecture + Cities.
Dr Kate Jordan, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Westminster, said: ‘Charlotte mined a variety of sources to produce a thought-provoking analysis of contemporary conservation practice and theory. Her work makes a valuable contribution to the scholarship of architectural heritage.’
Charlotte Penny said: ‘I am delighted to have received the ‘Highly Commended’ Gus Astley Student Award. I would like to sincerely thank the IHBC for the recognition and the opportunity to attend the Brighton School, as well as Dr Kate Jordan from the University of Westminster for her uplifting support and shared enthusiasm for my research.’
‘I very much enjoyed researching and writing my dissertation, in particular delving into archives and finding fascinating resources. The question of ‘the contest between the theoretical and practical nature of conservation’ was the subject of the dissertation, which centred on the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings’ Manifesto and more specifically with the ongoing conservation of the historic fabric at William Morris’ Red House.’
‘I learned that philosophy and practice appear to only touch the surface of conservation and as such, conservation cannot solely be considered as three dimensional; the fourth dimension of time must be taken into account. Many factors are involved in the consideration of conservation work and custodians have to balance a wide range of often conflicting constraints, whilst also acting as faithful guardians of the United Kingdom’s shared heritage.’
IHBC New Blog Archive
Each year, the final year MArch and Year 3 BA students are invited to attend the Friday Technical Surgeries, to help them develop the technical side of their design projects.
The tutorials are organised by Dr Will McLean, and the University of Westminster (UoW) Technical staff is joined by the visiting structural engineers, environmental consultants and practising architects who act as consultants for the students.
In attendance last Friday were:
Plus:
MArch DS22 tutors, Dr Yara Sharif and Dr Nasser Golzari, have been invited to show their recent work Secrets of a Digital Garden at this year’s Berlinale Forum Expanded.
The work consists of a film and an interactive installation, previously exhibited at the Chicago Architecture Biennial 2019.
Secrets of a Digital Garden follows on the duo’s ongoing research by design, which aims to explore the hidden potentials of the Palestinians landscape, and the right to the rural.
The work was produced in collaboration with Riwaq: Centre for Architectural Conservation, and is realised with the fantastic support of UNESCO, University of Westminster, Fabrication Lab, NG Architects, DOEN, Sweden/Sverige and PART.
The exhibition runs from February 19 to March 22.
When: Friday, 20th of September 2019, 18:00
Where: Banqueting Hall, Fabrication Lab, 35 Marylebone Road, NW1 5LS
Where: 25 Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6AE
When: 9 – 11 July 2019
Blueprint for the Future is a free, three-day showcase of the work of the brightest, most interesting and challenging architecture students graduating Part II across London and the UK, as selected by Blueprint Magazine.
Blueprint Magazine has paired 13 leading architecture schools with 13 international design brands, resulting in a ‘trail’ of exhibitions held over three days (9, 10, 11 July), in showrooms across Clerkenwell, London’s beating heart of design.
Works of MArch students from the School of Architecture and Cities are showcased at Senator Showroom in Clerkenwell.
This event is free.
To find out more about the exhibition and the series of events taking place over the three days, please visit here.
An exhibition of the work of Architecture BA, Interior Architecture BA, Architecture and Environmental Design BSc, Architectural Technology BSc, Designing Cities BA and MArch
THURSDAY 13 JUNE, 6 – 9pm
To be opened by Angela Brady OBE PRIBA
Click here to register
FRIDAY 14 JUNE, 6.30 – 8.30pm (Registration from 5.30pm)
RSVP to DCDI-Events@westminster.ac.uk
EXHIBITION CONTINUES DAILY
FRIDAY 14 – SUNDAY 30 JUNE, 10am – 6pm (Weekends 10am – 2pm)
3 JUNE 7PM
An interdisciplinary approach to the theme of boundaries, as understood by architects, planners, tourism and property students and experts.
For more information click here.
6 JUNE 6:30 – 9.15PM
Five practices in the fields of architecture, landscape, and art, discuss co-design and co-making processes through the presentations of five case studies.
For more information click here.
3 – 30 JUNE
A family of four, new AIR Grid structures. The work process will be open for public viewing and participation across the duration of the festival.
For more information click here.
13 JUNE – 13 JULY
The Woven Pavilion has been developed on the Rear Podium and built by DS 3(2) using advanced parametric software and CNC cutting at the FabLab. Funded by the Quentin Hogg Trust.
For more information click here.
20 – 21 JUNE
This ground-breaking conference, organised in partnership with the RIBA, examines the boundaries between the sacred, spiritual and secular in modern British architecture.
For more information click here.
All exhibitions take place at:
University of Westminster,
35 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5LS
T: 020 3506 7003
westminster.ac.uk/events
Image: Adam Todhunter
Inherently, the discipline of architecture seeks to respond to changing demands and societal concerns. Historically, the need to respond has typically been self-declared.
Even in times of disciplinary crisis, architecture has self-confidently declared the problem and prescribed the solution. Recent decades however, have seen an erosion of confidence, turning the discipline into one which could be seen to suffer, simultaneously, from external attack and internal doubt. Key shifts and turns within the construction industry, architectural discourse, and higher education have converged to set forth a trajectory that will be – for better or worse – transformative.
With the potential to either entrench or subvert the marginalisation of the architect, this trajectory will add fuel to the now familiar debate on the role and value of the architect. Given its importance in this debate, how should architectural education respond? How accurately can we value the range and possible applications of an architect’s skills? How can we articulate and constitute alternative roles for architects? How can design, as an architect’s core skill, be understood and practiced in a manner which deepens its value?
This inaugural MArch Education Symposium brings MArch staff, students, and invited friends together to explore the nebulous (yet contested) concept of value.
The discussions will inform evolving ideas on how the MArch might respond to the questions above.
