I tend to think pedagogically in most contexts - seeking to engage and communicate with others, both within and beyond universities in such a way that there is an equal exchange and hopefully, enrichment. In the main though the concern is with architectural education and being engaged and enraged by it for nearly 20 years
Key projects have been:
Building Clouds Drifting Walls (2003)- a publication which was funded from a teaching excellence award at the University of Sheffield in respect to the development of a first year design studio course - as ever in collaboration with the best of colleagues- see associated blog and essay 'Building Clouds Drifting Walls: Architectural Pedagogy' In Altering Practices: Feminist Politics And Poetics of Space, Edited by Doina Petrescu, Routledge, 2007
sitescreening (2004)- This project used the redevelopment of a University campus as a site of learning and communication to the general public. Architecture Students with the help of project architects and consultants followed its development and studied the environmental and health and safety aspects of the site (as part of technology modules) and their findings were translated by an artist and local school children into site hoarding interventions, revealing the ‘hidden stories’ of the construction process to passersby. website
fourdaysontheoutside (2001- 2005)- Pedagogical ‘event’ run over 5 years at two UK universities (Sheffield and UU). In its last 2 years the project was run in partnership internally with the universities Cultural Development and Interface (Research Institute in Engaged Creative Practice) and with external bodies such as VIS-ONIC Arts Festival, PLACE (built environment centre for northern ireland), Westfield Developers etc. The event was awarded Aug 06 a National Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for Entrepreneurship by the Centre for Education in the Built environment. Project was also the subject of chapter “Creative Transformations”. In Design Studio Pedagogy: horizons for the Future. Edited by Ashraf Salama and Nicolas Wilkinson, The Urban International Press (2007)
Street Society - (2010-ongoing) - a one week design research office based in Architecture at QUB, providing an opportunity for 1st year MArch and BSc architecture students (approx 120 students involved) to work together on a real project for a real client in real time. External organisations submit a project for student groups to work on over 1 week and a small group of students and staff shortlist the viable projects. Clients have included Belfast City Council, Craft NI, A theatre company, a primary school, community group, architects office in collaboration with gallery etc. The week completes with a public presentation and a structured reflection session occurs 10 days later with 1st year BSc so they can reflect on relevance of weeks experiences to their ongoing learning. Street Society has also lead to further funded research collaborations. http://streetsociety.webs.com/
see the website for some videos of March 2012 Rural Ops : Street Society- thanks to PG1 students (big thanks to Liz)
(see publications list for related writings)
