The Architects’ Journal Architecture News & Buildings
About
Location London W1 | ARB/RIBA courses BA (Hons) Architecture, BSc (Hons) Architecture and Environmental Design, MArch Architecture | Head of school Harry Charrington | Full-time tutors 37 | Part-time tutors 74 | Students 1,250 | Staff to student ratio 1:15 | Bursaries available Yes
Undergraduate
Fenn Wright
Course BA (Hons) Architecture
Studio/unit brief Destination Dreamland (Studio 3.4)
Project title Windrush Capital
Project description The project is a testament to the legacy of the Windrush generation. Situated within Tilbury and Grays, both on the Thames Estuary, the scheme seeks to reintegrate memories that have long been overlooked. Caribbean culture is brought into Tilbury using reclaimed ship parts as a tribute to the Windrush generation’s sacrifices. As a result, the project features three spaces associated with memory, memento and music respectively. Memory is an auditorium for storytelling and exhibitions; memento offers exhibition space for artefacts from the era along with a market for Caribbean produce; and music features sound systems, steel drums and live performances.
Tutor citation This project is a personal enquiry to reconstruct the story of Fenn’s grandfather, Stanley, and his arrival into the UK with the Windrush generation. It begins with photographs and letters which frame a powerful creative script, translating into a rich series of personal drawings. Paolo Zaide, Tom Budd
Postgraduate
James Langlois
Course MArch Architecture
Studio/unit brief Collective Practices (DS16)
Project title Poolside Politics
Project description Across the south of France, access to water is becoming increasingly political. Despite their social value, Marseille’s swimming pools are now desolate oases. An absence of public investment into these is part of growing tensions between the city’s citizens and the authorities. This project suggests a citizen-led ‘radical municipalism’ should emerge around Piscine Luminy: a construction-based activism that deconstructs concrete remnants and integrates them with salvaged materials to create reclaimed assemblies. It aims to return this once great civic space to Marseille’s people by establishing a commune through a series of acts: occupation; construction of housing and plots for cultivation; and, finally, the formation of communal spaces.
Tutor citation This is a wonderfully creative and grounded study in adaptive reuse, as the result of a deep understanding of the social, political and economic context of present-day Marseille. Anthony Boulanger, Stuart Piercy
