Architecture + Urbanism recommends 'Teresa Stoppani: Architecture as Paradigm - Notes for a Relational Architecture'

Professor TERESA STOPPANI, Head of Leeds School of Architecture will be talking at Manchester School of Architecture at 5.30pm on 6 October 2015 in Benzie 403, Manchester School of Art.

Teresa Stoppani (DrArch IUAV, Architetto IUAV, PhD Arch & UD Florence) is an architectural theorist and critic. She has taught architectural design and theory at the IUAV in Venice, the Architectural Association in London, the University of Greenwich, RMIT University in Melbourne, the University of Technology of Sydney, and the University of Brighton. She is Professor of Architecture and Head of the Leeds School of Architecture at Leeds Beckett University, and Adjunct Professor of Architectural History and Theory at UTS Sydney.

MA A+U fondly remembers her visit for a seminar in 2010

ALL WELCOME

Where are they now? On track.

Recent MA A+U graduate HONGHAO ZENG has now returned home to China to continue his architectural studies at Central South University in Changsha, where he will be working on a design project for the reconstruction of a district of Tianjin damaged in the recent fatal explosion.

CONGRATULATIONS!

MA A+U is very pleased to announce the results for the 2015 Graduating cohort.

DAVID CHANDLER M.A. with Distinction

CHANG CHEN M.A.

THISVI CHRISTOU M.A. with Distinction

PEIWU FANG M.A.

MEISOON JUMAH M.A.

PREETHI MADHANA KUMAR M.A.

AISSA SABBAGH GOMEZ M.A. with Distinction

HONGHAO ZENG M.A. with Distinction

The Graduation Ceremony will take place in December at the Whitworth Hall, University of Manchester. As the photographs below indicate 2014-15 has been a very special and enjoyable year and, as always, we wish all our new graduates success in their future careers.

The Protection of Hubei Village, Shenzhen

MA A+U student Peiwu Fang has completed his thesis project 'The Protection of Hubei Village'. Peiwu writes

'Hubei Village is a small village in Luohu District, Shenzhen. It has a history of more than 500 years, with a special status in the development of Shenzhen. After research on the houses of the village, including old and new ones, a strategy was developed to reflect the heritage value of the houses. The old houses were divided into four classes for their value for preservation o reconstruction. Many of the old houses are rebuilt or transformed a lot. However, the footprint of the old village, its morphology, was preserved well. In the project, I demolish the new intrusive residential buildings in the whole village and create a big ellipse of residential and social accommodation around the old village, as a strong protective barrier against the encroaching development of the city.'

Architecture + Urbanism recommends 'Palladian Design: The Good, the Bad and the Unexpected'

Andrea Palladio is the only architect who has given his name to a style – one that is still in use around the world after nearly 500 years. From the US Capitol to a 21st century Somerset cowshed, 'Palladian Design: The Good, the Bad and the Unexpected' introduces Palladio’s design principles and explores how they have been interpreted, copied and re-imagined across time and continents from his death in 1580 to the present day.

On exhibition at the Royal Institute of British Architects, 66 Portland Place, London 9 September 2015 - 9 January 2016

'Slow' Larnaca

MA A+U student Thisvi Christou has completed her thesis project entitled "‘Slow' Larnaca: a future development based on the history of the town." Thisvi writes

"The aim of the ‘Slow Larnaca’ urban design project is to improve Larnaca’s economy, to reduce the level of unemployment and to increase tourist traffic in the town by protecting Larnaca’s special character and its peoples’ lifestyle. Larnaca is a historic Mediterranean town that played a major role in the island's history through different historic periods, because of its location, natural resources and intense trading activity. The history and architecture of Larnaca were points of reference and were used as a base for the ‘Slow Larnaca’ urban concept.

The project title refers to the ‘Slow City’ and ‘Slow Tourism’ concepts, which are branches of the ‘Slow Food’ movement. The ‘Slow City’ theory works as a guideline for a new urban development in Larnaca, where locals and temporary visitors participate in production and consumption activities. The key area of the 'Slow' urban development is the former Refinery area of Larnaca which is abandoned and a new design for this area is proposed. Furthermore, the former Refinery of Larnaca is located between the town centre and the tourist area of Larnaca, which is a significant point of the town. Larnaca, through this new urban development may potentially enhance its economy and improve the prospects of its people."

Renovation of Teahouse Block, Changsha

MA A+U student Honghao Zeng has studied the regeneration of a district of Changsha for his master's thesis. He writes

'In this period of large scale and rapid construction, architects as well as all citizens should participate in the tough task of protection of the ancient city, to leave a bit more historical space, more hisorical life, culture and heritage to the next generation. Taking Teahouse Block in Changsha as the research object, and after the analysis of the specific situation, the master plan for the district suggests that it be renovated as an open air museum, a sequence of cultural exhibition streets presenting significant local themes. It is recommended that tea culture be displayed here throughout the whole block, including the street facades, reconstructed buildings, retained buildings and the design of public space.'