ArchitectureIndividual & Industrial Group Projects
What is the scheme?
At Strathclyde school of Architecture, we work with a number of practices, organisations and community groups to help bring live projects alive with the collaboration from our student body
Over the years we have worked with a variety of different sized projects form small community initiatives to large scale projects for established practices. Working in collaboration we have been able to offer this scheme and help bring these projects to fruition thanks to the creativity of our student body.
Why should you get involved?
Our partners have benefitted over the years from a number of areas from our resources available including:
- Creative design approached and design perspectives from our body of architecture students
- Use of the university resources such as workshops, digital tools and technology hubs
- Engage in dialogue tailored to your design, and sustainability needs
- Engage with the new generation of Strathclyde architects through the challenges and development of your projects
How does it work?
The projects we undertake will be led by an academic member of the Architecture department ensuring guidance to ensure that outcomes are delivered to the desired project needs. Our mentors and studio tutors are made up a hand-picked team of practicing architects.
Our project teams consist of undergraduate and postgraduate students from architecture or other related industries. Our students bring a wealth of knowledge from several areas such as but not limited to architectural design, urban design and sustainability.
Our design studios meet weekly to share progress and present to each other and our partners throughout the academic year. All work undertaken is done in alignment with the ARB and RIBA professional criteria.
Project format(s)
Once a brief has been finalised with the client through preliminary discussions, the project is allocated to a suitable team of either individual architecture students or multi-disciplinary groups. Projects are aligned with the Department’s undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and research themes.
Examples
Examples include the adaptive reuse of a post-industrial building for community use; feasibility studies for sustainable housing in rural contexts; design proposals for low-carbon retrofit strategies within historic environments; or the development of speculative urban masterplans exploring public space, mobility and resilience.
Appoint representatives
Projects are best realised through commitment and active involvement. The client, the University, and the student team each appoint representatives who are readily available to communicate and liaise on a regular, informal basis.
Stages
There are four stages to each project with associated milestones. At each milestone, formal feedback is required from the client. This engages both the student teams and clients in presentations or reviews to reach shared decisions.
Brief
Once a project has been agreed, a design team and University mentor are appointed. The client, mentor, and team then meet for formal discussions to ensure all parties are clear on the scope, objectives and deliverables within the project brief.
Definition
A thorough investigation is carried out to define the site, context, and parameters that will inform the project. This may be presented as site surveys, precedent analysis, planning and regulatory frameworks, or sustainability criteria.
Conceptualisation
The team typically develops a range of spatial concepts and design strategies in response to the brief, identifying avenues for development as the project progresses. This may involve spatial modelling, environmental analysis, material studies, or testing urban design scenarios. A key outcome of this stage is clarity on the final project direction and deliverables. Students have access to digital modelling and visualisation software, environmental performance analysis tools, fabrication workshops, and drawing studios to support design development.
Realisation
The final project solution typically includes a design portfolio which should be of strategic or practical benefit to the client, accompanied by supporting drawings, visualisations, or models as appropriate.
The final project portfolio may be accompanied by physical models, CAD/BIM layouts, environmental simulations, planning documentation, or other identified outputs.
When do projects run?
All projects are run in accordance with the theme, scale and the complexity and are matched to the specific architecture students or research team. Our projects are embedded within the design studios for the undergraduate and postgraduate students, and our academic year runs from September to April and ends with final reviews of all projects. We provide opportunities for the partners to be involved in the process in mid-point and final reviews as the projects progress to final completed projects. This provides a fantastic opportunity for our students to gain feedback and explore the projects throughout the whole process.
