Students graduating from the environmental design faculty’s architecture program hold two student shows celebrating year-end projects.
The first show on Friday, April 20 at Art Central, features the Master’s Degree Projects (MDP) completed by students graduating from the four-year Master of Architecture (MArch) program. These year-long projects include innovative models, ranging from urban healthcare to speculative frameworks for countercultural resistance and everything in between.
The MDP project enable students to gain an indepth understanding of the complexity of the research that goes into designing structures - identifying and defining the problem, understanding their own interest in the project, what it means to the greater architecture profession as well as to the local community as a whole.
“This kind of in-depth examination of a design issue that the MDP process encompasses produces thought provoking and innovative work,” says EVDS dean, Nancy Pollock-Ellwand. “This year is no exception—with our students providing a landscape of speculation that is truly inspiring. I encourage all to see this show and consider the propositions being posited.”
The complexity of this year’s projects and the types of ideas that are being presented are impressive. The sheer volume of work demanded from these large-scale projects and the resulting time commitment is considerable. The dedication of the final graduating group from the four-year MArch program has produced unconventional, creative and truly innovative projects.
“These projects are the first opportunity we have to gain real-world understanding of the complexities and process of critical review in the design of an entire project,” says MArch graduating student Kyle Auch. “It is the responsibility of the designers to present their work in an appropriate and exciting manner. Our group is proud to display our projects in such a recognized venue as Art Central.”
The opening reception for the first show is Friday, April 20 at Art Central (100, 7th Ave S. W.) from 7 - 11 p.m. MDP projects will remain on display until Thursday, May 3.
The second student show will be held May 3 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the Kasian Gallery and features the work completed by students from the new three-year MArch program in their final research studios. Work will include investigations into structurally intelligent swarms, responsive architecture, modular affordable housing, as well as projects from the Barcelona and Melbourne study abroad programs. More information on this show will follow next week.
Article by Jessica Wallace. Image courtesy of Richard Cotter, MArch grad 2012.