Tag: University of Westminster

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: 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 

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.

Architecture + Cities Research Seminar: Asa Thomas “Mediating Mobility at the School Gate: Interpreting London’s School Street Schemes” | Monday, November 13, 2023 at 1pm (GMT) | Online

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

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

Where: Online

The next Architecture + Cities research seminar will be held online on Monday 13, November, 13.00 – 14.00. At this seminar, titled ‘Mediating Mobility at the School Gate: Interpreting London’s School Street Schemes,’ Asa Thomas will present work conducted as part of his doctoral research at the Active Travel Academy on school street closures in London. The link to the seminar is here. 

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.

Technical Studies Lecture Series: Ana Gatóo “Regenerative Design for Planetary Wellbeing” | Thursday, October 26 at 18:00 (BST), M416 + Online

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

When: Thursday, 26th of October at 6pm (BST)

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

Dr Ana Gatóo is a recent graduate of the doctoral programme at the Centre for Natural Material Innovation (CNMI) in the Department of Architecture, University of Cambridge where she is a Cambridge Trust Scholar and an Open-Oxford-Cambridge Doctoral Training Partnership scholar. Ana had previously worked as a researcher at the CNMI for three years developing structural bamboo products as well as improved social housing with natural materials for informal settlements.

Ana is a partner at Light Earth Designs a practice focused on environmentally sensitive architecture and innovative engineering and whose work most notably includes the Rwanda Cricket Stadium in Kigali, which was awarded the 2018 A+Awards Popular Winner in the Stadium category. Ana is also a Board Advisor for Prospectives Journal, and a Committee Advisor for REDER Journal and she has worked for several years with NGOs on emergency architecture, disaster response and development with the use of natural materials and sustainable technologies in various countries.

Ana’s research develops flexible interiors with engineered timber and digital tools for affordable housing, creating a sustainable and adaptable living environment that cares for the planet and the people.

  • Engineered timber acts as a carbon sink.
  • Flexibility of interior spaces has become crucial with social, economic, and environmental benefits.
  • Mass customization, and with the growth of digital factories and open-source designs, interior walls can become affordable, sustainable and creative.

This research, exhibited at the London Design Biennale 2021, has received a prestigious Design Exchange Partnership from AHRC and was exhibited at the Design Museum in London. Ana collaborated with PLP Architecture and colleagues at Cambridge.

Ana has recently joined us at the School of Architecture and Cities, University of Westminster as a lecturer in Regenerative Technical and Environmental Design

For details contact Will McLean – w.f.mclean@westminster.ac.uk

“Mental Health, Design, and Wellbeing; A Co-design Workshop” one of the finalists for 2023 Green Grown Awards UK & Ireland

Posted on by Mirna Pedalo

The Mental Health, Design, and Wellbeing: Co-design Workshop, led by the Assistant Head of School and the ArCCAT lead Dr Ro Spankie, was one of the three projects from the University of Westminster that were named finalists for prestigious 2023 Green Grown Awards UK & Ireland.

Dr Spankie said: “All of us involved are delighted the Co-Production Workshop has been selected as a Green Gown finalist under the category of Tomorrow’s Employers as the development of complex transferable skills relevant to future practice is exactly what the workshop sets out to do. It does this by offering students a unique, immersive and experiential learning experience that challenges the ‘conventional’ pedagogy of designer-client / expert-user, by putting forward the notion of the ‘experts by experience’.”

University of Westminster website
Video submission by the Mental Health, Design and Wellbeing; A Co-design Workshop group

To read more about this and other projects please visit here.