Building alternative values A model for integrating design and construction into architectural education

Authors: Marie-Louise Raue; Paul Francis

Abstract

Building alternative values: A model for integrating design and construction into architectural education

Architectural education is doomed if we increasingly give way to digital processes and ignore the fact that architecture is fundamentally a haptic artform involving material, people and reality. Within the UK academic context typically very little is built which therefore limits architectural thinking.

In Bangkok we have tested an alternative model which embeds building directly into the educational experience, exposing students to all aspects of the process (https://feeneyraue.com/Three-roofs-1). Here the traditional two way relationship between client and architect is exchanged for a triangle of stakeholders comprising a community in need (client), a corporate company with a social responsibility (sponsor) and a body of students and tutors (architect).

The benefit of such a system is that alternative values in building can be explored by students, the corporate entity reinvests into communities and the community in need gets a project for free - everyone wins.

This represents a radically logical yet somehow underexplored model for embedding building into education and allowing universities to take on the role of civic actors.

This poster aims to explore the possibilities and challenges for such an alternative building model and its potential implementation into a UK university context.

Keywords: Building, Education, Values