Authenticity + Engagement in Architectural Education

The Architecture courses at Northumbria have developed a series of projects which lend authenticity to the process of architectural education. Through engaging with ‘live’ clients and communities students develop skills and awareness of the interactions necessary when entering professional life, whilst highlighting the often overlooked social aspect of the subject. Through this short workshop, we intend to discuss these issues through a series of illustrated case studies, widening the debate about the nature of aunthenticity in architectural education. The structure of the workshop will consist of a presentation describing a range of collaborative live projects occurring at Northumbria; the variety of narratives and context within the projects briefs and how they develop from early undergraduate years through to final degree year, postgraduate masters and beyond. A discussion will then be held talking about ‘people focussed architecture’, regional engagement and how problem based learning reflects the way people learn in real life. A creative task will then be issued to the group and the work pinned up for reflection.