Thursday 25 April — Wednesday 8 May 2013

<< Crossings >>Group #14 The [Architectural] Apprentice

ARCHITECTURE EVENTS WEEK 2013 

Group #14 The [Architectural] Apprentice is:

BALJIT PANESAR, MARIAM IQBAL, EIRA CAPELAN, AIDA GINEBRA RODRIGUEZ-VEGA

Agenda

The city exists on a multitude of emotional, physical, social and political levels. In this Events Month program Architecture students will study and uncover hidden truths about place, and the built urban environment; by diagramming and mapping latent, experiential and physical data. Being critical, deconstructing, analysing and [re]assembling the built and the un-built topography of a cityscape are key processes for us to understand the hidden complexities of the urban realm. This investigative process is vital for architects who aim to truly engage with cities as fluid systems.

Process + Outputs

The students will work in groups of three exploring the defined urban component ; Piccadilly Gardens. Their task is to record characteristics of this test site that are not immediately apparent, to gain a greater understanding of it as a place. This information, or data, will then be processed to identify themes and patterns, with those patterns being constructed through 3D virtual modelling. They will have digital workshops in which they will learn methods and techniques involved in the creation of 3D virtual environments. These abstract environments will reveal what is hidden about the place, unveiling alternative realities.

The final output will be an exhibition of the alternative environments, where they will be presented in 3D form, using fully immersive and interactive experiential technology developed by EON Reality Inc. This will be the first project that The Manchester School of Architecture will be working on with EON. 

In their own words.....

This week, with the students we have been discussing ways to develop architectural site analysis through emotional mapping, encouraging them to delve into the social networks of a contested, peripheral site: Ancoats. We’ve introduced a theoretical frameworks of a range of architects and social scientists to get them thinking of new ways to understand and map peripheries. After spending the day on site today, conducting interviews and collecting empirical data, the students have developed a practical understanding and tools to implement the theory that we have been debating up until know. 

For the processing of the information and impressions collected in Ancoats the students have been divided into two mock architectural practices. We have discussed different structures and hierarchies by which practices may be set up and asked them to remain conscious of how they organise their work for the rest of the event. Next weeks focus, will shift to discussing the architectural profession and power structures that arise in practice.  In short, we will analyse the organisation of practices and the future of the profession in a wider context. 

Our end product will mainly be produced through the medium of emotional mapping: we are producing a range of videos, drawings and large brainstorm renditions. We would be very interested forming part of your events and were wondering what kind of exhibition you would expect from us and the student and what dates you are managing at the moment?