RIBA Boyd Auger Scholarship 2013 Call for Entries

The RIBA Boyd Auger Scholarship was established in 2008 in memory of Boyd Auger, following a generous donation from his widow, Mrs Margot Auger.

The Scholarship aims to support applicants in their personal, professional and academic development within the architectural field by providing them with an opportunity to undergo a period of imaginative and original research and travel. 

The Scholarship, worth £5,000, will support either:

• one student or graduate or a group of students or graduates for a period of closely defined architectural research between 6 and 12 months.

or

• one student or graduate for a period of international travel on a topic and at locations of the applicant's choosing. This can tie-in with a period of international work experience, but the emphasis of the scholarship should be on the opportunity to travel in the chosen location.

Applications for funding architecture-related work in non-governmental organisations are also welcome.

Eligible students

All applicants must:

• be enrolled in a RIBA validated Part 1, 2 or 3 course or with candidate course status, in the UK or overseas or have been granted a place of study in a validated or candidate Architecture course by the beginning of the period covered by the Bursary (Part 2 only),

or

• have graduated from a RIBA validated Part 1, 2 course or with candidate course status within the past 5 years.

Employees or family members of the RIBA, the Auger family, trustees or members of the ETFC will not be eligible to apply for the scholarship.

Preference will be given to applicants who are RIBA members. (Student membership to the RIBA is free|).

The deadline for the 2013 RIBA Boyd Auger Scholarship has now passed.

See below for the details of the scholarship recipients from 2012|, 2011|, 2009| and 2008|.

RIBA Boyd Auger Scholarship 2012|

Jo Ashbridge

Project title:

The Role of Earth Architecture and Construction within a Disaster Risk Reduction Framework for Areas at Risk of Flooding Across Bangladesh

Bordered by India, Burma and the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh is one of the world's most densely populated countries. The low-lying nature of the terrain (with a large percentage of land less than 12m above sea level) means that Bangladesh is vulnerable to flooding and is now widely recognised as one of the countries at greatest risk from climate change. A recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states that a 1m rise in sea level will engulf approximately 13% of the landmass in the southern belt, displacing 15 - 20 million people by 2050. 

In recent years Bangladesh has witnessed a wide range of disasters including Cyclone Sidr in 2007, Cyclone Aila in 2009, floods and landslides throughout 2010 and 2011. In conjunction with emergency response efforts, disaster risk reduction is key. Working with local communities to strengthen the capabilities of individuals and families to cope with natural disasters and their complex effects is a necessity. Improving shelter construction technologies and techniques based on successful existing practices is just one of the many aspects needed to encourage community self-reliance rather than dependence on aid.

The research aims to investigate the existing role of earth architecture and construction in areas with acutely limited assets whilst offering simple, low-cost improvements. The project can be broken down into three key stages:

1. Analysis of vernacular architecture and emergency/development approaches offered by national and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs/INGOs).

2. On-site development of improved earth construction techniques.

3. Working with local communities to design and construct a series of demonstration houses.

The poorest section of society is often the most vulnerable to the effects of natural disasters (rising water levels, river bed erosion, environmental degradation, the spread of infectious disease, building/infrastructure damage, disruption to livelihoods, civil conflicts…) and with nearly half the population of Bangladesh living on less than $1 a day, the project seeks to address a great need.

Biography:
Jo Ashbridge undertook her BSc in Architecture (RIBA Part 1) at the University of Bath from 2004 to 2008. The degree offered the opportunity to dip into the wealth of knowledge available, particularly with regard to rammed earth construction. During this time she was offered a professional placement at Ryder Architecture in Newcastle and completed an Erasmus exchange at Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan (KTH) in Stockholm. In the summer of 2007, Jo volunteered in the construction of One Room Shelters in the Tan Phuoc District of Vietnam, for low-income families whose houses were at risk from monsoon rains. This experience cemented her passion and future career direction in development and disaster relief architecture.

Following graduation in 2008 she worked in Uganda, as an architectural consultant for a NGO concerned with the issue of obstetric fistula and continued her healthcare infrastructure research, travelling through Tanzania, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of the Congo.

From 2009 to 2011, Jo undertook her MPhil in Environmental Design in Architecture (RIBA Part 2) at the University of Cambridge. Her thesis, 'Sustainable Planning and Design for a Hospital in an Equatorial Climate' stemmed from collaboration with Kagando Hospital in the Rwenzori mountains of Uganda. The aim was to use lowcost earth construction whilst providing spaces with an increased technical base. This degree also offered the opportunity to work for Stantec Architecture in Toronto, a practice that specialises in healthcare design.

To gain further experience in the humanitarian sector, in 2011 Jo interned at Shelter Centre, a NGO that acts to connect and support the shelter community respond to settlement and reconstruction needs after conflicts and disasters. This has recently led to collaboration with Engineers Without Borders UK (EWB-UK), who is currently supporting her work with local NGO, Simple Action For the Environment (SAFE) in northwest Bangladesh. The work involves research and development of alternative construction materials. Projects in which she is currently involved include the design and construction of bamboo houses in Jorgen Babur Mart slum, research into natural additives that offer increased resilience to water and iterative testing of Compressed Stabilised Earth Blocks (CSEBs). Jo's experience in Bangladesh to date and in-field connections will inform the research project supported by the RIBA Boyd Auger Scholarship 2012. 

http://joashbridge.breezi.com/|

Recipient of the RIBA Boyd Auger Scholarship 2011|

John Killock

Project title: Exploration of the potential for co-housing to be used as an evolving typology for the 'Third Age' within the UK.

This research project recognises the growing problem of an ageing population within the western world and the specific issue of suitable and sustainable accommodation for a new generation of older people. It is proposed to explore the suitability of co-housing as a typology for this demographic group, learning from existing examples and how this could be used as part of the solution for housing an ageing population in the context of the UK. Co-housing, although not a complete solution, has the potential to benefit the rest of society through strengthened communities, reduced healthcare demands, a more environmental solution to housing and the potential of a reduced generational divide.

Currently in the UK there is a very small number of recently completed co-housing schemes, which vary considerably in their size, demographic make-up and architectural design. The research will include a field investigation of the current UK co-housing schemes under development to identify the progress made to date on co-housing and whether any of these schemes are inclusive to older members of society and whether the design of these schemes has been influenced by UK culture. This will be followed by an exploration of European schemes (the 'official' starting place of the co-housing movement) and an exploration of some of the later schemes trialed in the USA.

Architecture can play a significant role in the way our current housing typologies evolve for the next generation of older people. With the support of the Boyd Auger bursary it is hoped to contribute to a better understanding of the architectural needs of this changing demographic group, and whether co-housing could play a greater role in the future of UK housing.

Biography

John Killock is currently undertaking his RIBA Part II Diploma in Architecture at the University of Westminster. Last year his research topic explored how co-housing could be used as a typology to reduce the generational divide between old and young, and how co-housing could be combined with productive typologies not normally associated with housing.

Aged 18, John undertook a year in industry at an engineering consultancy with a focus on environmental and ecological planning. He then went on to study Architecture and Planning at the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol.

While in Bristol John undertook a six-week voluntary work placement with a community organisation where he worked on the regeneration of an area in South Bristol, served two years as an RIBA national student representative, undertook an intensive Erasmus exchange programme and worked in a number of architectural practices where he contributed to some pioneering projects including the winning entry for the Lawrenny sustainable village. Tom Russell Architects and was a key player in the design, construction and co-ordination of the BaleHaus @ Bath: White Design Associates - a prototype house using a revolutionary method of prefabricated straw bale construction. 

 

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Recipients of the RIBA Boyd Auger Scholarship 2009|

In 2009 there were three recipients of the scholarship.

Roderick Bow

Roddy Bow was awarded the 2009 RIBA Boyd Scholarship to support a period of professional experience in Paris-based practice Lacaton & Vassal. Roddy spent the period of the scholarship working on a research project to transform an existing building of 300 apartments in the Parisian suburb town, La Courneuve.

Roddy describes the project below:

'Since their construction in the 1960s, the high-rise peripheral housing estates that surround Paris have been the setting for significant political and social segregation. Architecture has found itself at the centre of the difficulties due to the scale of the high-rise housing estates often blamed for the degeneration of these areas. Today, after numerous lightweight initiatives to rehabilitate the buildings, the policy has moved towards demolition. The result is the significant loss of housing units and the dispersion of communities. Contrary to the political discourse there are alternatives to demolition, which explore significant transformations of the existing building fabric rapidly, economically and without the displacement of residents.'

The full report and photo essay of Roddy's experience is in the RIBA Architecture Library. A summary was published in the RIBA Student newsletter| in May 2011.

Roddy Bow is currently a post-Part 1 professional experience student and holds a First Class Honours degree (RIBA Part 1) from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. He is currently working with Lacaton & Vassal in Paris. He has also worked as a volunteer and remains active with Indian NGO TRUST in Tamil Nadu, whose principal work is running a home for tsunami orphans.

James Patterson-Waterston

James was awarded the 2009 Boyd Auger Scholarship to support a 12-month post-Part 1 professional placement at Arup & Partners in Shenzhen, China. James worked alongside a team of Chinese-registered architects on a variety of projects of different scales, including the Guangzhou TV Tower South Plaza and an urban design and town planning project for Guizhou province. James also completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Madarin and travelled extensively across the region during his 12-month placement.

James describes his experience of the RIBA Boyd Auger Scholarship:

'The original objectives outlined in my application included gaining valuable project experience and improved cultural awareness in the Chinese context. I feel both of these were fulfilled during my time in Shenzhen, although I recognise that my experiences are somewhat skewed due to the fact that I was employed by an international company, and had many opportunities thrust upon me that my Chinese colleagues did not while I was in the office.

I also became acutely aware of the lack of time I had, what with a 50-hour working week and evening language classes. Although I did initially try to keep a regular blog, it soon became apparent that this was over-ambitious, particularly due to the fact that there was limited internet access in the workplace.

If I were to give advice to any future recipient of the RIBA Boyd Auger Award, it would be, particularly if they are to be on a placement as opposed to a research trip, that they must be realistic as to their time constraints and ability to disseminate information while on the placement.'

His full report can be downloaded below.   

James Patterson-Waterston holds a First Class Honours degree in Architecture from the University of Liverpool and an MSc in Construction Economics and Management at the Bartlett School of Architecture. He is currently undertaking an MPhil in Environmental Design in Architecture at the University of Cambridge, and is continuing to specialise in the sustainable design of cities in the developing world. He hopes to move to Hong Kong upon completing his degree course in summer 2012. James is a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society and a member of the Royal Society of Asian Affairs.

Isona Shibata

Isona used the RIBA Boyd Auger Scholarship to support research work while undertaking a placement at the development charity Article 25. Isona's original intention was to complete a research trip to Algeria looking at historic conservation, urban renewal and slum upgrading in the historic UNESCO World Heritage site of the Casbah of Algiers. However, due to visa restrictions, this travel was delayed so Isona took the opportunity to learn from the projects undertaken by Article 25, in the hope that she could apply this knowledge to her Algerian project proposal:

'My role has allowed me to be involved in a wider range of projects, meet clients, and think strategically about the role of professionals, particularly designers, in poverty relief, disaster response and international development. Organising feasibility trips requires a sensitive approach and a detailed understanding of the strategic aims and objectives of the charities that we partner with [...] This has certainly made me think a lot about how I might go about developing my proposed project in Algeria - who will fund training and construction; how will need be assessed; how might the project operate with the approval of the government while also challenging their aim of regentrification? The list could go on. What I have found at Article 25 though is that many people who are supportive of the project, and eager to lend their knowledge and expertise to my research once I get the ball rolling again.'

Isona's full report can be downloaded below. A summary of her report was featured in the April edition of the RIBA Student newsletter|. 

Isona Shibata holds a First Class Honours degree in Architecture from the University of Sheffield and an MEng in Structural Engineering from the University of Sheffield. She is continuing her work at Article 25 through support from the Vodaphone World of Difference Scheme.

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Recipients of the RIBA Boyd Auger Scholarship 2008|

Stefanie Rhodes, Shamoon Patwari and Bo Tang

Art, Urbanism, Architecture: Cultural space-making in Bosnia

Geographically and historically, Bosnia Herzegovina is at the centre of Europe. Recently, however, it has suffered vicious wars and still struggles with its ethnic and political divisions. These social, economic and spatial challenges alongside Bosnia Herzegovina's traditional position as link between Asian and central European cultures are an extreme of those faced by many other cities throughout Europe. Today, most building activity in Bosnia is either reconstruction or part of the highly commercial construction boom in Sarajevo, which leaves little space for consideration of the qualities of public space or a more long-term sustainable approach to urbanism. 

Simultaneously, a thriving arts and culture scene has emerged not only in Sarajevo, but also in regional centres such as Mostar, Tuzla and Banja Luka. The initiators of these projects, ranging from independent cinemas to cultural centres curating exhibitions, see this cultural production as a catalyst to create a shared conversation between the different communities. Spatially, only dispersed interventions, often strongly linked to an arts background, at times attempt to match the impact and catalyst function of the many cultural initiatives.

Shamoon Patwari, Bo Tang and Stefanie Rhodes used the Boyd Auger Scholarship to investigate new architecture and the emerging urbanism in Bosnia Herzegovina and focus on the potential of these cultural projects to inform and negotiate spatial and urban strategies in the region. The process and outcome of their investigations and research was presented through the exhibition at the Dream Space gallery in London.

Stefanie Rhodes

Stefanie Rhodes studied architecture at Sheffield University and at London Metropolitan University, from where she graduated with the Professional Diploma in Architecture with Distinction in summer 2008. Her academic portfolio includes design work in India for which she received a prize from the American Institute of Architects and, as self-directed thesis project, a spatial framework for cultural initiatives in Brussels. During her studies she has worked in a wide range of architectural and art-based practices in London, Paris and Brussels. Other engagements include her work with the London Metropolitan University Architecture Society for which she received the Derek Osbourne Memorial Prize and her membership of the German National Merit Foundation.

Bo Tang

Bo Tang studied at the Bartlett School of Architecture. She has previously worked for Panter Hudspith Architects on the Oxford Castle Heritage project.

She completed her Diploma in Architecture with distinction at London Metropolitan University. Her fifth-year thesis was focused around rediscovering Haveli ruins in old Delhi; using dilapidated ruins as a model for the preservation of culture and heritage by creating modern indigenous spaces that embrace a sense of the past with aspirations for the future.

Shamoon Patwari

Shamoon Patwari graduated with a BA (Hons) in Architecture from the University of Liverpool. Since 2002 he has worked within the realm of social sciences, in particular working with social workers dealing with urban issues surrounding child welfare, mental health and youth projects. In 2005 he started work for Architects for Aid (now Article 25), which deals with using British-trained architects as volunteers for international development work with local NGOs. Projects include an Open Learning School in Goa, a crèche centre for prostitutes with children in Mozambique and a Traditional Crafts University in Kabul.

His fifth-year final thesis at London Metropolitan University, completed in June 2008, dealt with the modernisation of traditional Haveli typologies in the centre of Old Delhi looking at creating a new form of community-based architecture based around courtyard developments.

He is also an active member of ASF (Architects Sans Frontieres), which deals with international knowledge and skills-based training for those interested in working in the development sector.

Current works (Shamoon + Bo)

Having studied settlements in rural Agra for their first Diploma year, both Bo and Shamoon were recruited through the university and the Water Trust during summer 2007 to work upon a live project in Agra based around the sanitation upgrade of a rural settlement on the banks of the Yamuna opposite the Taj Mahal. This two-month ongoing project involved liaising with Indian NGO, CURE (Centre for Urban and Regional Excellence), detailing the method of construction for individual septic tanks, project managing suppliers and manufacturers and creating a funding system that is now used successfully.

Following on from the success of this project, Bo and Shamoon were contracted post-Diploma by the Water Trust for a further year (2008 - 09) to extend the Agra project further to design and implement a Decentralised Waste Water Treatment System (DEWATS) and build a community/tourist toilet facility.

In addition, they are presently working on a project west of Delhi dealing with a vast resettlement colony, in which they are setting up a resource centre to guide best practice in self-build housing initiatives. They have also been charged with a project in Navi Mumbai dealing with the design of some community/educational facilities for low-income communities based within several stone quarries on the outskirts of the new city.