Welcome to the fourth in the current series of paper s p a c e: the yearbook of the Department of Architecture at the University of Strathclyde. The document showcases exemplary student work from First through to Fifth year and Masters.
In this issue of paper s p a c e the editorial team has sought the views of a number of eminent academics and practicing architects on how aspirations can be realized.
The team discusses with Andy MacMillan and Isi Metzstein, two of Scotland's foremost practitioners and teachers of architecture, their perspectives on learning, building and teaching.
Tom Maver discusses the background of ABACUS and how its research helped pioneer tools that architects now take for granted in both study and practice.
A feature on ZM Architecture's project for the "Window on the Mack", highlights the opportunity that architects often enjoy to inform and consequently extend our cultural and design heritage in practice.
Christopher Platt and Steven Spier interview Peter Zumthor, renowned for being a mysterious, difficult but exceptionally talented architect, who gives us an insight into the initial stages of design and the role of his assistant/students in that process.
The team also speaks to CJ Lim who, as Professor of the Bartlett Research Lab at University College London and Head of the practice Studio 8 architects, provides a different angle to architectural research in practice.
Rod Kemsley, of StudioKAP Architects, gives an overview of the education of architects. He critiques the progression from layman to student to architect and questions the role of current teaching methods.
The yearbook comes on sale in June 2008. Copies will be available at the Architecture Department, the Lighthouse, the Artstore and the Glasgow Mapping Centre.
Featured Work:
YEAR 1
The first year BSc Architectural Studies course is in a true sense a foundation year which aspires to transform school leavers into students of Architecture and beyond. The learning environment is one of an architectural playground, with an emphasis placed on learning through playing and making.
YEAR 2
In Year 2 of the Architectural Studies course, having transformed in Year 1 from "school leavers into students of Architecture", the students embark on a personal exploration of their own fledgling architectural identity within responses to a variety of progressively mediated environments.
YEAR 3
The third year BSc Architectural Studies recognises that it is the year prior to the first year out in architectural practice, and as such thematically emphasises the notion of constraint as a primary design concern. Finite real world issues are all explicitly examined in tandem with an ongoing ambition to attain architecture of the highest aspiration.
YEAR 4
For most students, fourth year follows their first year out in practice and is a time when the worlds of theory and practice are being put in a new perspective. It is the culmination of a student's undergraduate studies and is where he or she demonstrates the ability to handle a complex building design and begin to articulate his or her own architectural interests.
YEAR 5
Fifth year is the culmination of our students' architectural education. As such it is designed to be a challenging, demanding and rewarding experience. The year includes a balanced mix of taught classes, seminars, discussion groups and studio work. Classes are meant to set a cultural background for the design work and to provide students with critical tools for its development.
MASTERS
The Master Project in AAD is offered to those students who have demonstrated outstanding ability in the Diploma Thesis. It is an opportunity to focus, for a limited but concentrated period of time, the Summer Semester, on some aspect of architecture, urbanism and technology of special interest to students.
The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland
The RIAS was founded in 1916 and is the professional body for chartered
architects in Scotland. The RIAS currently has over 400 student members
who are currently studying at one of the six schools of architecture in
Scotland, or working towards Part III qualification.
WHY NOT BECOME A
STUDENT MEMBER? MEMBERSHIP IS FREE FOR STUDENTS.
RIAS Website: This allows architects and student members to view what
is happening at the RIAS and at Chapter level with a dedicated student
area. You will be eligible to enter RIAS student competitions. With
the Scottish Executive Architectural Policy funds, student awards will
provide cash, exposure and exhibition opportunities! See the awards announced on our website.
http://www.rias.org.uk