A review of the University for the Creative Arts’ Architecture student show

For the Architects’ Journal, I visited the UCA’s School of Architecture and reflected on the work and approach taken by the department. I was particularly interested in how the school interfaces with the upstream systemic challenges, and how the teaching approach prepares students for impactful careers.   

“Models are fashioned out of a range of materials without looking inconsiderate or resembling refuse. Polystyrene cups are playfully used to suggest form and volume, for example, and copper pipes and plastic bottles can be found moving through the models unexpectedly. Yet it doesn’t look rudimentary. There is surprising maturity and restraint demonstrated that feels promising for first-year work.

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At a moment where the future of architecture is constantly being questioned, and students are demanding more from their education, UCA clearly has ambitions to continue producing critical contributions to the practice of architecture and the built environment... Inflection points are far more pronounced once the observer has distance, and one can see the bigger picture. Although it’s hard to understand how these ideas will continue to gestate and grow as students move into the world of practice, it does give hope.”