The River Thames changes character many times as it flows through its Upper, Middle and London sections. Flowing through nine counties and containing over 80 islands or eyots. Unit 4 spent the year examining the River Thames from the edges of the city in West London and beyond.
As with all Unit 4 programs, there was an interest in the relationship between buildings and geographical settings; architecture attaching itself to the landscape. Italian film director Michelangelo Antonioni described this as ‘the landscape conditioning the work’. Landscape, like character and occupant, like narrative and event, is never fixed.
The unit focus is generally on architecture as the art of building. The methods of making architecture, and the endurance of building cultures. Tradition and technology are just a catalyst. Designing with the climate factor and bringing architecture face to face with todays reality is of high importance.
A method of working that involved making models was expected. Documented in drawings and photographs, highlighting a link between construction and atmosphere, and materials and interiority.
Jonathan Walker, Simon Herron and Susanne Isa
Chris Stobbart (Engineers HRW) Vsevolod Kondratiev-Popov Adam Bell
BA Architecture is a three-year full-time programme offering exemption from ARB/RIBA Part 1, and the first step towards a career as an architect. The programme interweaves the disciplines of architectural design, histories and theories, technology, and professional practice. The design studio is central to the work students undertake, with year 2 and 3 students taught together in design units. Each unit addresses a different brief and design agenda. This is a rigorous and highly inventive programme, dedicated to architectural ways of designing, thinking and seeing the world. It provides students will skillsets applicable to a wide range of careers.
See further details on our prospectus page.
