90 BA Architecture | FirstYear FIRST YEAR ARCHITECTURE STUDIOS FORTHE FIRST twelve weeks, the nine FirstYear studios, whose students are on the BA Architecture and BSc AED courses, shared the same briefs. We explored the relationship between humans and plants as a vehicle to investigate some of the biggest challenges we face today: climate change, food security, habitat and biodiversity loss, and the extinction of species. Early investigations were framed by five sequential interconnected briefs: The Alternative Metric Handbook (investigating alternative relationships between the body, objects and space); Seeding Memories (exploring and representing a personal memory associated with a plant); Ethnobotony (researching the physical and human aspects of the plant); and Vernacular Investigations (critically analysing, drawing and modelling vernacular precedents to encourage students to learn from the past). Research was pooled and shared, informing the final design project, a pavilion in Kew Gardens that explored the role of plant life in society. During semester two we shared sites in Deptford, where each studio developed their own brief covering themes as diverse as wastelands, 24-hour cities, play and food sustainability. Themes for all studios are described in more detail below. Vasilija Abramović is an architect holding a PhD in the field of Interactive Architecture. She has published in leading scientific journals and conferences. Alongside UoW, she also teaches on the MArch programme at The Bartlett, UCL. Florian Brillet has worked in international practices for 15 years including Dominique Perrault and Jean Nouvel. He has developed his own practice focused on public art commissions and furniture design. Yannick Guillen co-founded Guillen Esteras Architects. The award-winning practice is interested in public and cultural projects, and sustainable building traditions. He has taught at Ravensbourne and Hertfordshire Universities. Rim Kalsoum is an architectural designer currently working at ArchitectureDoingPlace and is a visiting lecturer at the University of Westminster. She is co-founder and creative director of MuslimWomen in Architecture. Neil Kiernan is a practicing architect and BA design tutor for 1st and 2nd year. He has a continued and developing interest in the research of gender, space and architecture. Jenny Kingston is an architect and urban designer working mainly on public realm schemes in rapidly changing areas of London. Alongside teaching at UoW she works with muf architecture/art. Emma Perkin is the co-director of Emil Eve Architects. With a background in architecture, interior and exhibition design, research and teaching, Emma brings a diverse range of experience to the studio. Ross Perkin is an architect and co-founder of Emil Eve Architects. At Feilden Fowles Architects, he completed RIBA Stirling-nominated Weston Visitor Centre at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Conor Shehan is the co-founder of Studio MASH, a design practice working across the fields of architecture, installation, interiors, graphics and events. Matthew Stewart is an architect, researcher and writer. He has worked with architectural practices in the UK and internationally on projects across various scales and sectors. Richard Watson is a tutor, artist and product designer who started teaching in 1999 and has exhibited at UoW and the Architectural Association. Carine Berger Woiezechoski is an architect and environmental consultant who holds a PhD focusing on urban farming in tropical climates. She has been a visiting lecturer and guest critic at different universities in Brazil. Benson Lau is an architect and environmental design consultant. He specialises in an evidenceinformed Environmental Design approach in architecture. He is an experienced academic, and has published in leading scientific journals and refereed conference proceedings. Balveer Mankia is the founding director of BAL Architecture. Formerly a partner at MAKE, he was involved in several award-winning schemes. He has taught at the University of Greenwich. Bongani Muchemwa has won numerous awards for design excellence. He runs a micro-studio focusing on residential and commercial projects. He is a trustee of Beam, an arts organisation that promotes and delivers arts programmes. Richa Mukhia is director of award-winning architectural practice M.OS Architects. She has particular interests in housing design, public realm and community engagement. Natalie Newey is Senior Lecturer and SFHEA. She has extensive experience working in practice and is particularly interested in engaging students in collaborative projects and local issues. Jennifer O’Riordan is project architect at KennedyWoods, a firm specialising in sustainable and educational developments. She taught Technical Studies at University of East London. Tutors
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