Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Celebrating 20 years of Architectural Technology at Leeds Beckett
Set within the School of Built Environment and Engineering, the course focusses on the design of buildings and their production and performance.
The course has been led by Matthew Brooke-Peat – a graduate of the course - since May 2017.
To celebrate 20 years of Architectural Technology at Leeds Beckett, here are seven things you may not know about the course:
1. Students have designated design studios
Designated design studios opened for course students in 2009. The opening of the studios gave students the opportunity to put into practice what they have learnt in their subject specific modules, with whole building design projects.
2. It is more than a construction course
The course is suited for those interested in the technology of architecture. Architectural Technology is a creative design discipline concerned with the design of the built environment.
The focus of Architectural Technology is the development of responsible high performance practical solutions that respond to architectural need through the implementation of digital and physical technologies.
Architectural Technologists form the link between concept and realisation by designing for production (construction) and performance in use.
3. Alumni to come out of the course include Directors of Architecture, Senior Project Managers…and academics!
Some notable alumni of the course include Chris Peers – Lead Project Manager for Selfridges & Co. Chris was involved in the £200m refurbishment of the Oxford Street Selfridges store.
Paul Smith, Director of Molior Green Architecture Ltd, also went to Leeds Beckett. Paul is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists’ Finance Committee and the CPD Officer for their Yorkshire committee. Molior Green Architecture provide architectural services to the residential and commercial sectors in the north of England.
The course has also opened job prospects in architectural practice, property development, construction, building product development, and in research and academia – like course director Matthew Brooke-Peat.
4. The course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists
The course gained Accreditation in Principle from the CIAT in 1998 and then full Accreditation in 2004. The course was then re-accredited by CIAT in 2010 and 2016, meaning graduates from the course are eligible to become an associate member of the Institute and begin the Chartered Architectural Technologist professional qualification process.
5. Coveted industry events are held on campus each year
For the fourth year in a row, Leeds Beckett will host the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists Yorkshire Region Professional Development Day.
These events bring together leading professionals from architecture, engineering, and construction to deliver an intense day of presentations on each one of their specialist subjects. These popular events are very well attended by professionals and students from across the north.
6. It is taught by industry experts
Architectural Technology is home to three Chartered Architectural Technologists, who are dedicated to the delivery of the course. The course also draws upon the expertise of many leading academics within the School of Built Environment and Engineering. Leeds Beckett’s experts are some of the best in the industry and provide valuable teaching and insights in this field.
7. Students have gt to design ‘real-life’ buildings!
Not-for-profit organisation DIAL (Leeds) was established in 1979 as a Disabled People’s User-led Organisation to provide information and support locally.
As part of their studies, students were tasked with creating a brief to create designs for a community hub for disabled people and their organisations, and DIAL was so impressed by the designs of final year student Daksh Agrawal, they gave him a prize!
The designs had to provide accommodation and ancillary spaces, as well as being sustainable with the ability to incorporate future adaptations or extensions.
To find out more about Architectural Technology, visit here.