Unit 5 considers architecture the crystallisation of environmental energies, harnessed and directed into forms by a scientist-architect; perceived to deal with forces not objects. To articulate the dynamic correlations between objects, environment and human experiences, through analogue and digital methods. Students were encouraged to think algorithmically about the generation of shape and form, and to setup an opportunity to think computationally about interaction, and life dynamics. The emphasis of the studio is EMPHATIC SPACE: the expressed, expressive, striking, sharp/clear in form, contour or profile, distinct, energetic, unequivocal, significant, striking and pronounced.
Students
The first term (Design 1) concentrated on exploring combinatorial possibilities to develop generative processes of construction. Taking root from the famous dictum “Form Follows Function” Unit 5 upturns the notion to evoke speculations around the notion of “Function Follows Form”. A dialectic process between these two notions educes tensions between intention and output through speculation of affordances; to drive an exploratory process of construction.
Design 1 was composed of a series of three short tasks, designed to encourage students to think algorithmically about the generation of space and form – and to provoke students to think about design as the manipulation of forces, and in so doing develop a combinatorial and generative process of construction. Tasks One and Two involved developing a spatial logic through which to generate interesting and appealing volumetric assemblies, which could then be applied, in Task Three, to designing a habitable intervention that responded to idiosyncratic observations and qualities of a chosen site. Task three was a small design project to develop initial ideas for and to kick start the main Design Two project; in second term.
In the second term (Design 2) students developed an architectural proposition to respond to the constraints and qualities of their chosen site and its context. The unit was based in the Medway and Swale Basin, along the southern coast line between The Riverside Country Park and Queensborough/Sheerness. Having explored the area students identified sites for development and established programmes varying from a monastery to Drone Research Centre, ecologic community housing to artisan pottery centre, an archive, cinema, a site for artistic retreat and house for William Turner.
The Unit 5 field trip was to Lyon, Frances second city, with a riverine condition. Rich in architectural heritage and new contemporary architecture Lyon will serve as a base for a pilgrimage to see a series of unique buildings by Le Corbusier – La Tourette and his campus at Firminy completed posthumously.
Unit 5 tutors: Peter Bus, Mark Coles and Tim Ireland.
Invited critics and guest tutors: Thomas Bush, Stephanie Elward, Emmanouil Zaroukas, Ambrose Gillick, Michael Richards, Matthew Woodthorpe, Michael Holms Coats, Lee Jesson, Alessia Mosci, Yorgos Loizos, Philip Baston, Oliver Watson and Francesco Incelli
Edward Sutcliff was nominated for RIBA Silver Medal, and you can view his submission here.
