Architecture

Welcome to the Liveness Architecture show for 2019-20 – a celebration of the work created by the staff and students of Architecture at the School of Art, Architecture and Design during this unpredictable and turbulent year. During this year, my first as head of architecture, we have had many successes amongst our staff, students and alumni the most significant of which was David Grandorge and Paloma Gormley with the students of Unit 7 winning the AJ Small Sustainable Project award 2020. Congratulations to all involved!

This particular success highlights our continued commitment to real questions of architecture, community and practice, which is important to London as well as the profession as a whole. Going forward this established school ethos—evidenced in the projects you will see presented—is rapidly developing into a strong research culture where practice, politics, materials and making link with ideas of the city and community all situated within a critical understanding of cultural and historical context. Thus, the school remains a place for investigation, conversation and debate among academics, teachers and professionals committed to the future of our art.

Much of the work you will see has been conceived and iterated within the constraints of lockdown. Work that is not only well conceived, well-judged and beautiful, but that demonstrates the extraordinary commitment and will of the staff and students to carry on during this enforced isolation. In this limiting environment new working groups were formed, social platforms explored, new teaching strategies and working methods were discovered and utilised, all adding to the established methods within the school that have matured over the past years. Such commitment and collaboration remain the heart of our institution and deserve to be celebrated again.

Thank you all for your efforts to make a great, if unusual year.

Christian Frost
Head of Architecture