Celebrating Architecture: new film promotes diversity in architecture education and the profession at large

2018-07-03T18:22:00-04:00

Nearly 94% of British architects are white, despite 14% of the UK population being of a black and minority ethnic background. [...] Warren is featured [...] in a new film due to premiere at the Royal College of Art (RCA) this month. Celebrating Architecture, which aims to encourage diversity in the profession, will be accompanied by architecture workshops for around 80 pupils from communities under-represented in the profession.

The Celebrating Architecture initiative is co-lead by Venetia Wolfenden of the education and architecture consultancy Urban Learners together with design and technology school teacher, Neil Pinder. The film is scheduled to launch this month at London's Royal College of Art, hosted by The Architecture Foundation, in conjunction with two architecture workshop days for local children and teens from communities that have traditionally not been encouraged enough to pursue a career in architecture.

2017 Antepavilion playfully subverts planning legislation and explores alternative city-dwellings

2017-08-14T15:57:00-04:00

The Antepavilion program, a joint venture between the Architecture Foundation and the Arthouse Foundation, launched an international competition to design a £25,000 pop-up rooftop at Columbia and Brunswick Wharf in Hackney, north-east London. The goal was to invite architects, artists and designer to explore innovative ways of living within the city while engaging with issues of sustainability. After shortlisting five designs, PUP Architects—a London-based studio—was selected for their duct-shaped pavilion.

Photo Credit: Jim Stephenson

Called the H-VAC, the structure is built of a timber frame, cladded in shingles made from peach iced-tea Tetra Pak cartons. The design playfully subverts planning legislation by disguising the dwelling as air conditioning equipment. Their design exploits loopholes for mechanical rooftop equipment that does not require planning permission due to relaxed permitted developments rights. The firm stated that "while permitted dev...

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Celebrating Architecture: new film promotes diversity in architecture education and the profession at large

2017 Antepavilion playfully subverts planning legislation and explores alternative city-dwellings