Graduation 2011

16 Dec 2011: We had the 2011 Graduation ceremony for Master students, and witnessed the passing out of our STB students and the others who had taken part in Tall Building Studio in 2010-2011. It was great to see the culmination of all that work in a grand event, and it was good to meet some of the parents, aunties or siblings. However, none of them seem to have a job yet, which is worrying for us. We hope that with a degree in a niche subject, it should make it easier to get a specialised job. Some of our previous graduates have jobs, mostly in tall building design, so it is working - but the UK professional scene is in a recession. 

Vinu, Phil, Ranjit, DNC, Rahul

Maryam, DNC, Masoud, Phil, Soha, Fahimeh, Katayoun

Not all of the students in the photos are SB candidates, but they are all ones who have taken the tall building design studio.

Party at DNC's house

11 Dec 2011: DNC invited the studio members to a Sunday-lunch party at his house in Peveril Drive, West Bridgford, everybody bringing a little bit of food. Mrs N-C made some fine desserts. It was rainy, so we didn't have the hoped-for walk on the hill south of the house, but anyway, a good time was had by all.

Interim Crit 8th Dec

Chris learning about ADac's design in Abu Dhabi

8 Dec 2011: We had the second Interim Crit, and our guests were Chris Gaylord and Lukasz Platkowski. The die is cast now, most of the designs are finalising, and this crit is aimed at toughening up the thinking, especially in facade, structure, planning, and fulfilment of their ideas about their agenda.
   It's a rigorous schedule trying to get all ten groups seen twice in one day, and snacks or tea had to be snatched in hurried moments. Phil and DNC hope that everybody got something useful from the interaction with two such good reviewers as Chris and Lukasz.

Chris checking the section of Singapore group SP2

Lukasz considers the New York tower of the Floating Clouds group

Chris has something to say to Singapore group SP-busy

Ivan visits in December

Group 'ADam' explain their scheme for Abu Dhabi

1 December 2011: We had another visit from Ivan Jovanovic of BDSP. Its only 2 weeks from the end of term and one week from the second crit, so it's important to push things ahead to some form of resolution. We asked everybody for a lot more drawing content, particularly a large Section and some more Plans (Models can wait till next week).
    Ivan's task was to focus on ensuring that the environmental strategy was working, and to question how this was reflected in ideas for facade design, and the special technologies required of their environmental agenda.

Group 'NYJuicy' are making good progress

Group 'SPbusy' are building three schools!

Group 'ADsav' separating salt and water in Abu Dhabi