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Critical Subjects: Architecture & Design Winter School

think critically, design differently

About the winter school

Testimonials

Brochure

Speakers & advisory panel

Programme

 

 

Attendees & Testimonials

Critical Subjects was a unique opportunity for 26 or so of the keenest students in the country to engage in a series of intellectual architectural design challenges facilitated by some of the leading names in the field.

 

Students were encouraged to develop their skills not only in design but in how to defend - rather than justify - their work. Hopefully the students reached the end of the school having acquired skills in using the armoury of argumentative styles and ideas.

 

Testimonials

STUDENTS' COMMENTS:
I found the event completely inspiring, both in terms of its initial ambition and content. I left with a real feeling of having been apart of something worthwhile and uniquely dynamic. A breath of fresh air.
Francis Field, Nottingham (Design Winner)

I found the Winter school an incredible experience. I found the debates and talks extremely thought-provoking and interesting. It was an honour meeting so many highly acclaimed professionals in the architecture field. I've come away from the event with an even stronger passion in Architecture.
Mary Denman, Liverpool (Design Winner)

It was a very interesting (not to mention fun) event! It really re-ignited my interest in architecture.
Andrew Ng, Dundee

Had a great time, it was especially nice to have the input of such a diverse range of experts, not just from the field of architecture...Great day, great prize, great opportunity.
Rowan Morrice, Robert Gordon, Aberdeen*

The whole experience was worth it, I had an amazing time, as well as learning so much (and it made me much more confident about voicing my own opinion).
Sarah Shuttleworth, Newcastle

I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that we had such an amazing time at the WinterSchool - thoroughly stimulating experience and a lot of fun too. It was great to have an open debate and be able to freely express ourselves in a semi informal way. .
Simhika Rao, Edinburgh

It may not have been the easiest 24 hours but it was well worth doing and I'm really interested in future events and, I would even go as far as to say that I'd do it again. I felt it was not only that the speakers were really interesting but was great to actually discuss ideas not just have them spoken at you, and especially for an event associated with architecture that it was really well run.
Josh Broomer, Mackintosh School of Architecture, Glasgow

Thank you for such an interesting and valuable 24 hours. The school really helped me question my approach in every aspect. I have never been so energised by such a tiring experience!
David S Jones, Oxford Brookes

Just wanted to say a big thank you again - finally caught up on some sleep and have been able to fully appreciate the winter school. It was a fantastic session - a great way to share ideas and develop thoughts beyond that of the university institution. My ideas are now overflowing! Much appreciated,
Ashley Ball, Leeds Metropolitan

I can’t thank you enough for the opportunity and organizing the event. It was an extremely rewarding experience.
Andrew Green, Lincoln

I just wanted to thank you again for a really productive couple of days. It was great to here from speakers, and the chance to question there logic! I really appreciate your enthusiasm and effort you put into the event and I thought it was very successful. Thanks for including me. Hopefully we will encounter each other again in the future.
Holly Hayward, Brighton

I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to attend the design school last week. I did not know what to expect and found it to be an enjoyable and challenging experience. The range of topics discussed was a fantastic insight into some of the issues which architects need to consider. I hope it will make the choices in my design work more informed in the future.
Nicola Perrett, UCL

I think the kind of discussion that we had last week in London would really add volumes to the architectural culture, and am very keen to nurture it. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for accepting me to the winter school, it was a truly exciting experience and one that I will remember for a very long time.
Rory Stott, Newcastle

I believe that a huge thank you is in order for giving me the opportunity to attend the WinterSchool. It has really opened my eyes to the questions surrounding architecture which are rarely asked, and has encouraged me to develop a much stronger attitude to architecture as a whole. The school really has sparked something inside me, I have began to write, or more importantly to think, more freely. As soon as I have harnessed these thoughts into any legible writings, I will surely be in touch again.
John Brown, Strathclyde


SPEAKERS'/ JUDGES' COMMENTS:
It was a privilege to engage with the best and brightest students. I left with more thoughts than I brought with me. It is distinctly possible that the future of architecture and the city could be more cheerful than I had imagined.
Ray Tallis, physician, poet and polymath

Well done on organising such a fantastic event!
John McRae, director, ORMS Architecture Design

Thank you! I really enjoyed taking part…what a fantastic event it turned out to be.
Vicky Richardson, director, Architecture, Design, Fashion, British Council

I was privileged to attend the mantownhuman’s "Critical Subjects: Architecture & DesignWinterSchool". I was stimulated and challenged until my brain hurt. I stayed long after my own session had ended.
Michael Owens, strategic planning, development policy and urban regeneration advisor.

I was delighted to help and amazed, knowing yoof, that they took what I had to say seriously!... What you were doing is admirable.
Michael Estorick, founder, Estorick Gallery

I had a blast! Preparing for it was great and the event exceeded all my expectations. Thanks for inviting me.
Ximo Peris, Creative Director, CrystalCG

I enjoyed it very much! It was about generosity.
Colin Fournier, co-architect with Peter Cook of the Kunsthaus Graz

Well done for organising, it was a very successful event and the students all seemed to get a lot out of it.
Brian Eckersley, director, Eckersley O’Callaghan Structural Design

Good fun… I was very impressed given the short timescale and seriously impressed with your dedication. Don't hesitate to ask again… I thought it very much worth it. Thanks for asking me to help, was a pleasure.
Amin Taha, Amin Taha Architects

I enjoyed the session very much and thought the engagement from the students was fantastic. I'd be very happy to do it again.
Munira Mirza, director of arts, culture and the creative industries for the Mayor of London

I liked the way that it mixed up parts of the country and broke down silly silos that exist around schools. The students I talked to said they would keep in touch with each other.
Cany Ash, director, Ash Sakula

It was brilliant and we loved it.
Ben Pentreath, The Three Classicists


mantownhuman is:
Austin Williams, Alastair Donald and Karl Sharro
More information is available on
www.mantownhuman.org
mantownhuman@gmail.com

07957 534909

mantownhuman
Critical Subjects: Architecture & DesignWinterSchool
November 17 – 18th

 

The Advisory/ Judging Panel included:
Edwin Heathcote, architecture and design critic, Financial Times;
Matthew Collings, writer and presenter of This is Modern Art, and host of Channel 4's Turner Prize coverage;
Vicky Richardson, director, Architecture, Design & Fashion, British Council;
Peter Kelly, acting editor, Blueprint;
Amin Taha, Amin Taha Architects;
Cany Ash, Ash Sakula;
Pauline Hadaway, director, Belfast Exposed;
Cathy Slessor, editor, The Architectural Review;
Nadim Karam, founder, Atelier Hapsitus [Beirut];
Munira Mirza, director, Arts, Culture & the Creative Industries for the Mayor of London;
Rafael Vinoly, founder, Rafael Vinoly Architects;
Kristen Richards, editor-in-chief, Oculus and ArchNewsNow.com [New York];
Jonathan Glancey, architecture and design correspondent, The Guardian;
Kate Goodwin, architecture programme curator, Royal Academy;
Enrique Norten, principal, TEN Arquitectos (New York/ Mexico City);
Lise Anne Couture, principal, Asymptote Architecture (New York);
Joe Ewart, founder, graphic design studio, Society;
Tim Marlow, creative director at White Cube; writer/ presenter Tim Marlow on..;.
Michael Sorkin, founder, Michael Sorkin Studio; director of the graduate urban design program at New York's City College;
Gilane Tawadros, chief executive, Design and Artists Copyright Society;
Gordon Murray, founder, Gordon Murray Architects; past president, RIAS; chair, SCHOSA (Standing Conference of Heads of Schools of Architecture)

 

Guest performance from the "New Palladians" (Ben Pentreath, George Saumarez Smith and Francis Terry) constructing a major work over the course of the day.

 

 

*Blueprint commissioned the winner to visit and review an example of contemporary European architecture.

 

 

 

 

CONDITIONS