Keeping Pace 

How do we equip the future generation to cope with the legacy of centuries of exploitation of natural resources?

How can architecture support peace and freedom?

How can education in architecture contribute to a better future?

What are constants, what are variables?

What is essential, what is relevant?

Key questions,  questions I asked myself again and again since

I joined education in architecture. They were central when

I developed the INTO Newcastle University architecture pathways, a preparatory three pathway programme tailored for international students consisting of a foundation course, a first year in architecture and a pre-master’s course.

All Pathway Design Charrette 2017 - interactive and engaging

Variables

Socio-cultural changes, climate change, new needs, new tools, new materials, new technologies, new insights – education in architecture must be proactive, malleable, constantly evolving.

Exploration and research opens up new avenues of architecture, responding to future needs and showing how the profession continues to make an important contribution to a brighter future. 

Architecture of healing and reconciliation becomes the central theme in contrast to the architecture of power and the striving for superiority. Architecture must not destroy, it must be devloped in harmony with the environment. 

Identity crisis, isolation, dementia, the pressures of virtual identity disconnected from physical existence and the natural world are pressing issues that need to be better understood and more research is needed.

Division, hatred and separation must be overcome or there is little hope for humanity. All greatness must be shared, it is an achievement of all humanity.

Architecture accessible to everyone.

Discussing the future of architecture with students at workshops at 

St. Petersburg State University (SpGASU) 2017

Constants

A central insight in teaching over many years is, that the early years matter most.

The first few years are the foundation. In a figurative sense, the foundation on which a career is built. Here the aspiring architect, designer and planner researches the principles, here he/she learns the key skills, here he/she develops core competencies and core knowledge. Here he/she learns the necessary steps for formulating ideas and solutions.

Here the classic manual skills are acquired, sketching, drawing, modelling, understanding of the physicality of architecture, of scale and dimensions. Many principles from antiquity are still relevant. Basic human needs remain constant.

Principles for healthy urban living and for sustainable and ecological design have been known for centuries.  It's about the courage to consistently apply existing knowledge and to interpret and adapt this knowledge for the future.

Students from St. Petersburg, Moscow, Kiev 

Peace is what they want, peace is what this planet needs.