BSBG visits 2018 Architecture Degree Show at Sheffield Hallam University

Words by BSBG Media Team, Friday 20 July 2018

Representatives from BSBG's European office attended the 2018 Architecture Degree show at Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield Institute of Arts. The university has garnered an excellent reputation within the UK for producing some of the country’s best Architects and Architectural Technologists.

The event was held on 14th June 2018, and showcased the work of students studying both the Architecture and Architectural Technology degree courses at the university - from year one students to those now completing their final year. The design brief this year was chosen as: “Transforming Lives”, and the quality of work on display at the event from the next generation of Architectural Technologists was very promising.

2018 Architecture Degree Show - Year One Architectural Technology

The first year Architectural Technology students presented a design for a shelter construction to be built in Grenoside Woods, a well-known forest to the north of Sheffield. It showed the level the students have reached at such an early point in their studies, as they build up a foundation learning of the basic principles of design and construction, as well as environmental design and material science.

2018 Architecture Degree Show - Year Two Architectural Technology

An interesting project was showcased by second-year students on the Architectural Technology course, focused on the refurbishment of Park Hill Flats - a historically significant building in Sheffield, completed in 1961. Almost 1,000 flats were built on a large-scale council estate to re-house the community in Park Hill. The style adopted by many of the architects of the time was Brutalism, and while this is a style still appreciated by a good deal of modern-day design enthusiasts, it’s certainly not to everybody’s taste.

A renovation of the estate has been underway for some time, and part of the second-year students’ project involved using BIM to explore, develop and communicate the design. The university was the first in the UK to be accredited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) as a centre of excellence, which speaks for the incredible work they are doing in Revit and in developing their students to work in BIM to the very highest level.

2018 Architecture Degree Show - Year Four Architectural Technology

The third year students on the Architectural Technology course spend the year out working in the field within a practice, so in lieu of any design work being presented at the showcase, we move on to the fourth year students. Students took a design brief to create a new home for one of Britain’s most iconic military aircraft - the Avro Vulcan XH558, or as it is more widely known: The Spirit of Britain. This stunning aircraft is the last airworthy example of the nuclear bombers operated in the UK by the Air Force during Cold War times, although it last flew in 2015. It is now preserved in Sheffield, and the fourth year students designed a stunning home from where the aircraft could be viewed by the public in a showpiece visitor’s centre.

Future opportunities

Lead Architect Iain Strudley reported that the overall standard of work from the technologists was outstanding, and was very much relevant to the projects currently being undertaken at BSBG in Europe. "Upon meeting and talking with many of the students, their knowledge and understanding of the kinds of standards that a leading group like BSBG implements was impressive," he said. "We will certainly look towards Sheffield Hallam University as one of our feeder education facilities as we look to procure and develop young talent within our team. Joining BSBG is an opportunity to work within London, the UK and Europe on prestigious projects, and this is something that certainly captured the imagination of the students I spoke to. We look forward to speaking to outstanding graduates upon completion of their studies.”

For more information about internship opportunities or to find out what it’s like to work for a top international architecture group, you can contact us directly, or follow our LinkedIn page to ensure you don’t miss out on any of our updates and new job openings.

BSBG Media Team

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