7. Key facts:
• Formed in 1908 with courses recognised by the RIBA since 1923
• The only RIBA accredited School of Architecture in the West Midlands and one that mirrors the
diversity of the region
• We have RIBA exempt courses in Part 1, 2, and 3
• We are one of the few Schools to offer Part Time courses for students in industry
• We collaborate with almost 100 practices and construction consultants
• Our programmes typically strike a balance of 50% design, 25% conceptual and theoretical, and 25%
professional.
• This is a boutique School, accepting only 65 students each year to ensure an intimate and bespoke
learning environment which is full of character and energy,
• Moving to a new state-of-the-art building at Eastside in September 2013
8. Organisational structure:
HEAD OF SCHOOL
DEPUTY HEAD OF
SCHOOL
DIRECTOR OF DIRECTOR OF DIRECTOR OF DIRECTOR OF DIRECTOR OF
RESEARCH CULTURAL CONTEXT DESIGN TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONAL
PRACTICE
ZERO CARBON
PROGRAMME LEADER PROGRAMME DIRECTOR PROGRAMME DIRECTOR PROGRAMME DIRECTOR PROGRAMME DIRECTOR: PROGRAMME DIRECTOR:
MA ARCHITECTURE
URBAN DESIGN PG LANDSCAPE BA (HONS) LANDSCAPE BA (HONS) M.ARCH ARCHITECTURE PG ARCHITECTURAL
ARCHITECTURE ARCHITECTURE ARCHITECTURE (PART 1) (PART 2) PRACTICE (PART 3)
& RETROFIT
SENIOR LECTURERS
LECTURERS
15. School Philosophy:
The School is defined by the relationship between Architecture and Landscape
and ‘Urbanism” in between.
Over 50% of the World’s 7 Billion people are urban, by 2050 this will have
passed 80%; the school’s programmes explore innovative approaches to design
and intervention in the urbanised field which will shape life in the 21st Century.
The School a collaborative and pro-active conduit between research and
practice, this is captured by our 8 Research Hubs (which include Zero Carbon
Design and Urban Futures) and our commitment to Live Projects via our Co-
Lab modules
We address projects via Concerns………
16. Concern(s): vb
1. to relate to; be of importance or interest to; affect. 2.
(usually followed by with or in) to involve or interest (oneself):
he concerns himself with…. – n. 3. something that affects or is of
importance to a person; affair; business. 4. regard for or
interest in a person or a thing. 5. anxiety, worry, or solicitude
6. important bearing or relation.
17. Modus Operandi:
contemporary - social, cultural, geographical, political,
These concerns are normally
environmental, artistic, professional, technological, and always contextual - and often
informed by historical precedent.
These concerns are incredibly diverse and whether they are centred on the everyday, critical theory,
or current affairs, they are real issues, albeit in hypothetical scenarios, but nevertheless, real,
inspiring students to face the challenges of the world we live in.
We expect students to make responses to the issues they are dealing with and to construct an attitude,
a journey of discovery which takes students through identification to investigation, to response and proposition.
This process is fundamental to our way of thinking.
18. Staff in Practice:
Kevin Singh (the space* studio) / Mike Dring /
Alessandro Columbano / Matt Lucas / Jim
Sloan
20. BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH HUBS: POOL 1: ACADEMIC
URBAN FUTURES
WELLBEING
POLITICAL SPACE
CULTURAL CONTEXT
Dr Maria Caserio /Prof Mohsen
Prof Richard Coles
Dr Hazem Ziada
Oscar Naddermier Prof
Aboutorabi
21. BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH HUBS: POOL 2: PRACTICE
ZERO CARBON
CRITICAL ARTISTIC
PEDAGOGY / EMPLOYABILITY
COLLABORATE
THINKING IN DESIGN
Prof Ruth Reed
Alessandro Columbano
Dr Lubo Jankovic
Prof Kathryn Moore
22. Working with industry:
“Performing the role of visiting critic has been
a great experience that has enabled the
practice to develop a strong symbiotic
relationship with students at the school,
mutually benefiting from an exchange of
experience and fresh thinking. Perhaps the
best endorsement is that students from the
school have been key players in a number of
the award winning schemes carried out by the
practice.”
Phil Howl, Howl Associates
23. Alumni:
Wembley Stadium: Angus Campbell
Big House: Pierre D’Avoine
W Hotel London: Mike Evans
Foster & Partners
Pierre D’Avoine Architects
Jestico and Whiles
27. Manufacturers:
Seven hours later, we landed at Newark Airport. As we it appeared less cosmopolitan yet a cleaner city. One of
ibstock headed towards customs, we looked back to catch a
glimpse of New York’s skyline in the distance, behind what
was a very dull and cloudy afternoon. It was at this moment
that we felt like pinching ourselves to see if this was real
and not a dream.
the highlights of Chicago was a visit to the John Hancock
skyscraper allowed views of the Chicago skyline which
included Lake Michigan, the Willis Tower, and a lit-up grid
of the City.
From the planned itinerary, the buildings I was looking Rather quickly, the trip came to an end, and we all had to
forward to seeing were the Rockefeller Centre, the Brooklyn head back to our lives in the UK. Nevertheless, we brought
Ibstock and Birmingham School of Architecture
Bridge, and the New Museum by Sanaa. I was particularly back with us great memories and, most importantly,
drawn to the latter, with its six stacked vertical boxes made inspiration from the many buildings we had visited.
Ibstock have for the past 25 years been supporting Schools
from aluminium mesh, each offering a different experience.
of Architecture by assisting with funding for study trips
The reason for this attraction was the fact that I was giving a
which provide future architects with an appreciation of how
presentation on it, and had also used it as a precedent study
buildings have altered over the years. Having an Ibstock
for my university projects. As such, it would be interesting
representative on the study tour ensures that a relationship
interpreting the building in real terms rather than from
can be built with individuals who we hope one day will
published material.
be in a position to specify Ibstock . They have also been
supporting the BA (Hons) Architecture students with a brick
After arriving at the hotel, we checked in, freshened up
laying course.
and headed straight to Times Square which was within
walking distance from the hotel. From here, we took the
subway to the Brooklyn Bridge. The plan was for us to walk
the 486.3m of the longest steel suspension bridge in the
world while the sun was setting. Unfortunately, and to our
dismay, by the time we had arrived at the bridge New York
USA Trip was refusing to get dark, which was unusual for that time of
day. After walking across the bridge, from lower Manhattan
Strong industry relationships allow the School to offer some to Brooklyn, we decided to stop off in a nearby Brooklyn bar
students the opportunity to undertake additional studies where we would wait for the dark. After approximately one
such as the annual USA trip. Each year Ibstock generously hour in the bar, we headed back out towards the bridge,
provide M.Arch Architecture students with bursaries to visit where everything was glowing. At that moment, and as we
New York. The trip has been running for over 20 years and witnessed what is perhaps the most beautiful picturesque
has become an ‘institution’ within the School and the wider view of the Manhattan skyline, we as a group became very
Birmingham architectural community. grateful for such an honourable trip sponsored by Ibstock
and organised by Birmingham City University.
This year students visited New York and Chicago, one of the
The other great moment of our trip to New York City was
Stateside the Rockefeller Centre. This offered an uninterrupted
panoramic view of the New York skyline, with the Empire
State Building and the Chrysler Tower to one side, and
break, and with only three days to go, we could not wait for
our trip stateside to begin, taking in the Big Apple followed tiring days of solid walking in New York City, we headed to
by a visit to the Windy City. Finally, departure day arrived, Chicago for the remaining two nights of our stay Stateside.
and on a sunny but cold Saturday morning we arrived at As we arrived in the Windy City, and as we headed out of
the subway and started to walk to the hotel, I noticed that,
in fact, this city was not so dissimilar to New York, although
24 25
38. Urban Lighthouse
Ar D4 - 2 Tentative Publics Proposed Lighting Conditions
Proposed Shadow Map : View below Mezzanine
Pro
p
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had
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Fro
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Flo
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Proposed Shadow Map : View From River Rea
Urban Lighthouse
Propo
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Proposed Shadow Map : View From Floodgate St Roadside
Proposed Shadow Map : View From Mezzanine Bridge
Student : Myles Robert Sharples Student No. 11528042
94. Recent Student Achievements:
RIBA Silver Medal shortlist 2011
Shortlisted for 3D Reid Student Award
Winner of Olympic £5 coin competition
Andy Hassell
Melisa Ramos
Saiman Miah
