Architecture students undertake fieldwork in Portugal and Denmark

Architecture Trip to Lisbon and Santa-Clara-a-Velha

Undergraduate Architecture students recently visited Portugal to work on their second and third year design projects.

They explored 'ruin' and 'daily life' in Portugal's urban and rural locations, from historic sites in the Mouraria neighbourhood, Lisbon, to the rural inland village of Santa Clara-a-Velha. Students conducted fieldwork and experimental film recording to explore traces of the ‘ruins’.

While here, students examined the commonplace of daily life routines; the embedded memories of both city and countryside.

Both Mouraria and Santa Clara-a-Velha are examples of areas which have been neglected but could be revived with investment in the cultural infrastructure.

The trip coincided with the Lisbon Architecture Triennale at the Centro Cultural de Belém Foundation (CCB), which helped to define the importance of contextual and ecological relationships with site, and reinforced the practice of curating artefacts, film, and narrative.

Students used experimental techniques to record and project film representations of each site, reanimating urban and rural environments.

On their experience, one student shared:

“The trip to the rural town Santa Clara wasn’t what I had expected, it was a beautiful rural place with friendly Portuguese residents. The parallel between the urban and rural gave us the opportunity to explore how daily life can be experienced as a result of ‘place’. It is a shame that places like Santa Clara become neglected and eventually become abandoned towns. I am very much looking forward to proposing a scheme that helps to rebalance some of the cultural differences between the two locations.”

BA (Hons) Architecture and BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design Trip to Copenhagen

BA (Hons) Architecture and BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design students have recently returned from a fieldtrip to Denmark’s capital city, Copenhagen.

The group spent four days soaking up the culture at the epicentre of ‘Scandi-Cool’ with its enigmatic blend of contemporary architecture, creative reuse, and centuries old history. The goal was to explore architectural design driven by a clear sustainability agenda, with high-quality urban master planning and public green spaces.

BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design student, Holly Burns-Danforth reflected, “I really enjoyed my time in Copenhagen, and I have been inspired in so many ways. Thank you for the opportunity to go on the trip.”

Students visited some of Europe’s most interesting buildings, including the impressive Danish Architecture Centre by OMA, Copenhill by BIG, and the modernist masterpiece SAS Hotel by Arne Jacobsen.

The opportunity to physically visit examples of high-quality architecture is incredibly important for students who are developing their own style, searching for inspiration, and looking to gain a global perspective. This is especially important post-lockdown as fieldtrips provide an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of space.

BA (Hons) Architecture student, Bethany Hall, said “I found Copenhagen an inspirational destination, especially seeing how the lived culture of everyday Danish life permeates into their urban environment and architecture. I now have so many new ideas to experiment with in my projects.”

Landscape Architecture Trip to Copenhagen

BA (Hons) Landscape Architecture students recently explored Denmark’s cultural centre on a field trip to Copenhagen. 

To kick off the trip, students were initiated into Danish culture through a cycle ride along the harbour circle, exploring the diversity of waterfront spaces. From residential buildings in former industrial sites to floating container apartments as an alternative to student housing, students we introduced to a range of recreational waterfront leisure parks, urban open spaces, allotments, and rooftop gardens.  

On the second day, they visited the Norrobro neighbourhood. A green corridor right in the city centre, which hosts an assortment of recreational activities, including skateboarding, adult swings, table tennis, gym bars, volleyball, netball, football, and boxing. 

As part of the experience, students visited the Landscape Architecture Department at the University of Copenhagen. Here, they were shown around by Richard Hare, Lecturer and First Year Coordinator, and Leeds Beckett Alumni. Richard inspired students by showcasing projects on colour, topographical technology, and a peak through his own infamous sketchbooks. Following this, he then escorted the group round the nightscape of Frederiksberg.  

To conclude the trip, the students journeyed over the bridge connecting Denmark and Sweden, for a day trip to Malmo’s Western Harbour, Bo01, a sustainable development and design project housing residential buildings and public parks.