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