Future architects from UL demonstrate need for change at student symposium

THE School of Architecture at University of Limerick (SAUL) have hosted over 160 architecture students from across the island of Ireland as part of the second Building Change student symposium.

The first-of-its-kind globally, Building Change is a national, collaborative project between all six schools of architecture in the Republic of Ireland to radically transform the professional curricula. Funded by the Higher Education Authority, the project is underpinned by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and Ireland’s Housing for All and Climate Action plans, to empower future graduates to meet the ongoing challenges of the housing and climate crises.

Speaking at the event, head of architecture at SAUL, Peter Carroll said: “Today’s event is unique in architecture education and perhaps across all higher education across the island. We’re bringing together students from every school of architecture on both sides of the border to share their learnings from hands-on pilot projects, and to inform our transformation of the curricula.

“We’re asking students today, what areas they want to see prioritised in the curricula change and how they can mobilise to create an all-island student society or climate-led action group which will carry their skills and knowledge from our studios into practical application in their future careers.”

SAUL students presented resilient design pilot projects at the event. Second year students Mariia Hnatiuk and Beth Hannon have been focusing on the sustainability of structures and materials used in housing development, considering flexibility, durability, affordability as well as the conservation and reuse of existing urban buildings.

Third year students Darragh Mitchell and Katie Byrne also presented on their ongoing research outpost on Clare Island, County Mayo, which includes projects such as how turf might be utilised as a construction material and the re-establishment of forestry in low-lying bog terrain where remnants of bog oak can be found.

Students from Technological University Dublin, South East Technological University, Atlantic Technological University, and the Cork Centre for Architecture Education (CCAE), a joint initiative of University College Cork and Munster Technological University, also presented on themes such as carbon neutral construction, embodied energy, the circular economy and design for disassembly.