Architectural design to inspire communities

Architectural design to inspire communities
Architectural design to inspire communities

HND Architectural Technology students have been encouraging local communities to think ‘inside the box’, by designing interactive objects that encourage passers-by to contemplate their built environment.

As part of this year’s celebrations for the national Festival of Architecture and the year of Architecture, Innovation and Design, five design teams were formed - with at least two Forth Valley College Architectural Technology students per team - and a local practicing architect assigned to each group.

The teams were given a brief in March to design and construct an ‘object’ to occupy a site of their choice within the Forth Valley area throughout the month of June.  The five objects will then be relocated to the Helix Park to be experienced collectively by the general public over the summer.

Team four have successfully completed their object simply titled ‘‘the Cube’’ – and it is currently on display outside the Raploch Community Campus. Team four comprised: Greig Clark (HND Architectural Technology), Jonathan Hart (HND Computer Aided Architectural Design and Technology) both front right, Sandy Lees (AGL Architect) and Malcolm Parry (MP Architect), who are all pictured here with FVC lecturer Stuart Taylor (blue jacket) and Catherine Begg from Signsexpress (back left).

Stuart Taylor, a lecturer in FVC’s Construction Department said: “I am proud of Jonathan and Greig, who are part of the first team to complete their object for this year’s festival. They have both worked incredibly hard and have enjoyed collaborating on this live project with their team architects Sandy and Malcolm.

“The students have had an early insight into architectural practice and have found the whole experience of paper ideas becoming a reality, thoroughly worthwhile. We look forward to the rest of the team designs popping up across the Forth Valley over the next few weeks, culminating in the group gathering at the Helix Park.  As a member of the Stirling Society of architects, I am optimistic that this is the first of many collaborative projects and experiences between the Architectural Technology students and construction industry professionals.”

Each team was responsible for establishing the required permissions for their site and seeking their own sponsorship from local companies. Team four would like to thank the following local organisations who contributed to the success of this project:

Thornbridge Timber, Signsexpress, Antonine Developments, MP Architect, AGL Architect, WS Dunsire and Stirling Society of Architects.

To find out more about the festival of architecture log on to https://www.foa2016.com/background.