Life on the Canal

Before the role of the architect was formalised, most building culture evolved in relation to necessity (climate) and location (local available materials) but emphasis was still placed on culture (usually religion) commonly displayed through signs/symbols. As with the development of the architect from the master-builder, these customs developed in an evolutionary way to achieve larger and more complex buildings, in a way which continue and augment the materials, typologies and symbols of the past. Today, the potential of materials and technologies present an endless array of design possibilities and it is important for the designer to understand their role as protagonist is the design process.

“Details, when they are successful, are not mere decoration. They do not distract or entertain. They lead to an understanding of the whole of which they are an inherent part.” - Peter Zumthor

It is with this reciprocal relationship between detail and space which we are concerned. It is our aim for students to be able to form robust building concepts, not from the outset, but developed through modelling and observing until an interdependent relationship of elements is formed.

In order to rise to the technical and artistic challenges of today the main focus of the unit is on spatial design and its technical resolution. We feel that the design of space is the architect’s primary task and is often under prioritised. The creation of space is a highly sophisticated endeavour involving a number of decisions regarding form, texture, light and colour and should not be left to chance or afterthought.