06 November 2009
Architecture exhibition showcases students´ work in city
Creative students at the University of Sheffield hosted a special event this week (5 November 2009) to showcase a series of architecture projects which have benefitted the local community.
100 Masters students from the School of Architecture held the exhibition at Sunwin House, which was attended by academics from the School of Architecture, members of Sheffield City Council, and representatives from the organisations who have benefitted from the work.
As part of their Masters course, students at the University of Sheffield are uniquely required to take a `Live Projects´ module which sees them put their creative talents to use in a number of assignments in the Autumn of each academic year.
A project at the Broomhall Community Centre saw students developing an innovative low carbon footprint proposal for the building, whilst consulting and educating local residents and users of the building in energy saving initiatives.
Another project saw students working with the Friends of Abbeydale Picture House (FAPH) to form a proposal which will enable FAPH to make a strong business case for the building to prospective partners. The students looked at the possible restoration of the main features in the building, and analysis of theatre designs, with the aim of designing a flexible auditorium for the Picture House.
Young people in Parson Cross also benefitted from the project as the students designed the `Parson Xchange´ brand, with the intention of bringing together all young people´s facilities under one umbrella. The aim is for this brand to be taken on and to eventually be used as a tool to successfully communicate with young people and also obtain future funding for renovation or a new build in the future.
The students have also worked on a number of projects further afield, including helping a cultural centre in Paris implement a Green Roof, and working with a small artist collective in Belfast to look at new rural sites for cultural production.
Mike Trott, Chairman of the Friends of Abbeydale Picture House (FAPH) Trust, said: "We are immensely grateful to all the students. Their dedication has been amazing. Once they got into the building, they immediately latched on to what was needed. We´ve had professional architects come into this building, who haven´t done half as much as the students have accomplished. Their work will aid us considerably towards obtaining funding."
Ioannis Balaskas, a Masters student in the School of Architecture, said: "We are thrilled to be given the opportunity to work with real clients. Most of us have had experience working in practice already and it is truly empowering to formulate project briefs that interpret the client´s needs and fulfil their aspirations for the projects."
Prue Chiles, Director of Architecture in the School of Architecture, said: "For twelve years now the School of Architecture has involved MA students in six week Live Projects. We now attract projects from around the country and abroad. They are student-led with tutors in the role of mentors and they cover an enormous variety of external clients, institutions, charities and challenges. They do not mimic the role of the architect rather they explore ways in which architects can operate creatively and professionally and extend the role we can take in the future. They are about communication and team work and pushing boundaries." Notes for Editors: A display of the work exhibited on the day will be showcased in the windows of Sunwin House until 4 Demcember 2009.
For further information please contact: Lauren Anderson, Media Relations Officer, on 0114 2221026 or email l.h.anderson@sheffield.ac.uk
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