International Architectural Regeneration and Development (IARD)
Architectural regeneration encompasses the collective activities of reusing, adapting and evolving existing buildings within an urban or rural context in ways that recognise the impacts these decisions and interventions have on the regeneration of a place, and that are underpinned by the principles of environmental, social and cultural sustainability.
This masters programme and design specialism promotes an interdisciplinary approach that combines critical thinking and analysis with creative design. It is based on the ethos that the regeneration and development of the existing built environment, in conjunction with its social and cultural fabric, is an essential component of sustainable development.
Building on taught modules that develop the theoretical context of architectural regeneration in the first semester, the focus of the second semester is a real life regeneration project that provides students with the opportunity to put theory into practice.
Working on a project location in the historic quarter of Ras Al-Khaimah in the UAE, for the students developed a regeneration strategy masterplan for the area, responding to the client brief and local community needs that they identified during the ‘virtual’ field study. This was followed by individual projects developing design proposals for the re-use of the buildings on the sites as well as the urban realm that connect them.
The purpose, at both stages is to recognize the historic, architectural and social significance of the places alongside the economic and political context in which they exist. Each project extends beyond being an architectural deliberation to generate solutions that will positively contribute to the re-use of buildings and the social and economic regeneration of the place.
Studio team:
Dr Julia Wedel
Sarah Robinson
Caroline Beck
Natalie Webster
Prof Aylin Orbasli
Collaborators:
Dr Eman Assi and her students at the American University of Ras Al-Khaimah
Studio guests:
Geoff Rich (FCB Studios)
Rosa Teira-Paz (Historic England)
Sam Woodbridge (ARUP)
Dr Christian Velde (Government of Ras Al-Khaimah)
David Connelly
With special thanks to Yasmeen Lari for an inspiring studio masterclass on sustainable engagement with the built environment.
Students:
Muhammad Hakim Azizan
Abhishek Chandarana
Cristina Cocier
Aimee Denny
Olivia Downman
Emma Garske
Julie Kumpilunikunnathil Jose
Peter Dik Him Kwan
Zoe Shuk Yin Lam
Rose Ching Yi Lin
Prachi Machhar
Nicolas Martinez
Lalitha Subramanian
Ollie Summersell
Grace Hiu Yan Tang
Zhu song Tee
Namrata Jitendra
Andrea Pattalis
Eleni Konstantina Dalamagka
Nur Syuhada Khan
Sam Becker-Ngyuen
Alex Malden
Gianluca Gianfiglio
Abhishek Chandarana:
Aimee Denny: The project focuses on expanding Ras Al Khaimah’s Tourism industry goals and creating a new element of sustainable adventure tourism that strengthens the links between the sea and the site. Creating connections between the site, surroundings and heritage.
Alex Malden
Andrea Pattalis: The WE ARE Foundation - The project focused on working with the existing international community and connecting them through heritage and creative crafts, hosting exhibitions of local Fine Arts Festivals and Heritage Festivals. It is open to all and tackles inequality issues, sustainability in design and provides non-emirati’s a stronger local economy with the sale of goods made.
Cristina Cocier
Eleni Dalmagka
Eleni Dalmagka
Gianluca Gianfiglio: Al Sadu Weaving Artist Retreat - The regeneration strategy bases itself on heritage tourism. The building’s program is focused on safeguarding the intangible heritage of Al-Sadu Weaving and Economic diversification of the region whilst attracting different users. These include, International/Local Artists, International Tourist, Local Residents and Local Al-sadu Weaving bearers. Creating Spaces for the intangible heritage to be brought back to life through expert and apprentice relations,in the yarn making process and weaving process of the fabric and Al-Sadu weaving workshops. Where Artists have the opportunity to master a new medium to produce and express their art, whilst retreating in local architectural heritage.
Grace Tang: Scenery By HANDS | Regeneration Tourist Hub In Old Town RAK - The Project is a new tourist hub consisting of three buildings including a ceramic workshop, hostel, and cafe. The project provides a covered gathering and resting point for the nearby neighborhood, creating a new attraction point in the old town with its iconic ceramic facade and getting the community involved in the regeneration process by joining the workshops to produce ceramic tiles which would use on the facade. The whole regeneration would create an iconic and vibrant townscape that attracts more visitors; visitors would then help build the new facade; the loop continues and makes the old town back to life.
Julie Kumpilunikunnathil Jose
Lalitha Subramanian:
Muhammad Hakim Bin Azizan: Building on the past: Pop Up Programmes In Ras Al Khaimah Old Town - This project uses a range of approaches in terms of architectural and heritage values to introduce a multi-purpose programme within the building to activate the Ras Al Khaimah Old Town. The main three programmes within the building comprise a digital library, art and craft workshop areas and a cafe which operates annually.
Namrata Jitendra: Centre for Traditional Crafts and Buildings For Regeneration in Ras Al Khaimah - The project aims to develop a centre for traditional crafts and building construction for regeneration of the old town of Ras Al Khaimah. This project focuses on reviving traditional crafts and conservation techniques to develop a circular economic structure by providing vocational training opportunities for the communities in the old town Ras Al Khaimah.
Nur Syuhada Khan: Ras Al Khaimah Arts & Cultural Square - The project aims to tackle the social issue and inactive spaces within the site through an arts-led approach and by implementing ideas from the existing neighbouring site with similar approach. With the existing beautiful backdrop from the beach and historic houses, the project repurposes the existing building by converting it into a space for art and cultural exhibitions, markets, cafes and guesthouses to cater the local talents that can expand further in the future to attract more artists from within and outside of the old town and at the same time promoting the site as a place for art and cultural tourism.
Oliver Summersell: he RAK Vertical Farming Museum & Experience Centre aims to educate visitors on the history & future of agriculture in the UAE and showcase the latest vertical farming technologies as the emirate moves towards a sustainability focused approach to water, energy & food consumption. The UAE aims to become a global leader in food security by implementing the 2051 Food Security Vision by reducing dependence on food imports & producing sustainable domestic produce. The Centre will work at a grassroots level, educating visitors about the 2051 Vision and ways to implement sustainable consumption. Fresh produce from the Museum & Learning Centre will be used by local vendors in the central courtyard, creating a 24H, community-focussed destination along Old Town RAK’s beachfront.
Olivia Downman: This project focuses on the sustainability and teachings of traditional craft to younger generations. An eco-cycle is formulated from the Ghaf trees nursery and harvesting its seeds and pods for traditional medicines and its timber used in the woodwork shop and boat workshop as a catalyst for teaching and learning with the production of boats an alternative sustainable transport option.
Prachi Machhar
Rose Lin: Museum of Seed of Life Tourism-led Regeneration by Date Palm Museums and Date’s culture in UAE - This project is a tourism-led regeneration project by adaptive reuse of old houses and changing them to date palm museums and restaurant in Ras al Khaimah, UAE. As date palm culture is declining locally that it used to be one of the traditional features in UAE, the museums and restaurant is to revitalise and promote the date culture.
Zhusong Tee: Communal Palm Leaf Heritage Centre Being a demonstration project on the potential of palm leaf application, It is to redefine and revitalise endangered vernacular palm leaf heritage in its communities of multiple backgrounds through educational programmes on retrofitting coral houses and modernising palm leaf usage while kick-starting an adaptive reuse initiative of the Old Town Region.
Zoe, Shuk Yin Lam: The Food Growing Education Hub comprises a module education hub and a demonstration house. The education Hub aims to promote alternative agricultural production and revitalize the old town. The module education hub provides covered space to prepare their own planting module and learn to grow their own food. The demonstration house with shaded courtyard space acts as the prototype of growing food with the modular system to roll out in old town and to the larger scale of UAE.