Graduate Diploma Architecture
 
The course emphasises the practice of design as a research practice. It understands the architect as someone whose trans-disciplinary role enables them to draw on the production of knowledge within various related disciplines and develop through design, effective strategies and models for sustainable development, be that within the context of the production of buildings, the spaces between them or the contexts in which they occur.
 
Our studios are creative environments that support risk taking. Tutors are seen as implicated collaborators rather than teachers in possession of a set of truths. By the end of their time on the course, students are equipped to adopt critical positions within the profession and wider society, initiate and deliver projects grounded and delivered in design based research and continue a process of learning through experimentation and inquiry.

Allan Atlee + John Bell

Image: Emma Perry

Thesis design projects

analogue components

The development of a modular material system is inspired by the abstract folding patterns of Origami Corrugations. Artefacts are produced intuitively by inflecting a planar surface and are interpreted as singular geometric outputs within a field of possible outputs limited by the initial tessellation pattern. A regular triangular tessellation pattern produces a triangulated module capable of expansion, contraction and aggregation into self supporting structures.

modular folding

Virtual simulation of modular expansion, contraction and proliferation using a skeletal system of joints and bones to explore modular configurations.

 fluid dynamics

Flow attenuation study using computational fluid dynamics simulation to analyse the effect of modular folding, proximity and orientation on surface flow velocity and distribution.

deployment

Modular scale, proximity and orientation vary across the site in response to surface flow directionality and flow velocity.In areas of higher velocity (the river, the city) the modular surface displays increased levels of modular folding and decreased intermodular spaces. The opposite is true for areas of lower velocity, such as existing green space, where the modular surface is more relaxed and shows a decreased modular density.

 microhabitat

Differential attenuation of surface flow by the modules creates diverse microhabitats within the intermodular spaces of the landscape. Local species of grasses, wildflowers, birds and insects will begin to inhabit these spaces.

augmented_landscape

Once populated by local flora and fauna, the landscape is augmented through the distribution of biotechnological human interfaces. Human interactions with technologically enhanced plant species reprogramme the spatial conditions of the landscape through sonic and spectral outputs.

pod_perspective

shroomPODS are semi subterranean spaces specifically equipped for small scale commercial cultivation of mushrooms.

The pods provide the ideal micro-environmental conditions for the propagation, growth and harvesting of many popular

mushroom species, creating a hybrid agro-urban space which can be leased or sold by agricultural co-operatives previously relegated to rural areas.