AJ Student Prize 2022: Glasgow School of Art

About Mackintosh School of Architecture

Location Glasgow • Courses BA (Hons) Architecture, Diploma in Architecture • Head of school Sally Stewart • Full-time tutors 16 • Part-time tutors 32 • Students 550 • Staff to student ratio 1:17

Undergraduate

Joseph Murray

Course BA (Hons) Architecture
Studio/unit brief Stage 3
Project title Energy, Landscape, Culture

Project description Central to the proposal is the idea of making a harmonic structure, each aspect of which is linked to the whole through proportional scales akin to musical notes and octaves. By exploring classical principles, a system has been developed based on an amalgamation of dynamic summary and golden ratio, in reaction to scale-based ‘modular’ systems, which are considered alienating to individuality. Two set grids define the plan of the building: a triangular and a square version on one plane. Using these grids, the centre lines of the living and workspaces bisect areas of water, creating a direct link between site and history. The grids represent the site’s new life while change is symbolised by the fabrication of order in the chaotic footprint of the past.

Tutor citation The specificity of the work lies in an in-depth study and understanding of the historical context and morphology of the locale. The design process led Joseph to critically examine key moments in recent architectural theory, resulting in a polemical response to neo-vernacular discourse. Tilo Einert

Postgraduate

Karlis Kukainis

Course Diploma in Architecture
Studio/unit brief Glasgow, an ethical city? (Stage 5)
Project title The ‘Pre-Landfill’: Finding sustainability in modern heritage

Project description The project investigates the issue of re-use within an architectural framework – demonstrating how we can retrofit unwanted and difficult buildings, making use of recycled materials. Starting by investigating the Yorkhill Hospital estate in Glasgow, the project develops a masterplan for the area, proceeding to show how components from buildings scheduled to be demolished can be re-used in the redevelopment of the 1960s hospital building and adjacent laundry building. The programme accommodates material research alongside community education and training facilities and a market space for transformed goods.

Tutor citation Karlis’s project addresses the issue of waste and re-use in construction – a matter which must be addressed in the wider building industry. It was well-researched across a range of topics, providing a clear basis for its development. The result was confident and uplifting, creating an architecture with a clear expression, urban presence and social purpose. Graeme Massie