On 12 November 2021 RIBA Learning partnered with the Glasgow Institute of Architects (GIA) to deliver a special workshop to students in Glasgow, which celebrated and highlighted the themes around sustainability being discussed by RIBA as part of COP26.
The workshop was delivered to students from Glasgow Gaelic School by architects Nicola Wilson (HAUS Collective), Stephen Doherty (BDP) and the Robin Webster (Cameron Webster and former RIAS president). The students, who were all interested in design and art, explored the idea of how the built environment can adapt to reduce carbon emissions through retrofitting houses (making existing houses more energy efficient) and bringing buildings to a Passivhaus standard (an international energy performance standard).
The morning session was led by Nicola and Robin. After a fun tower building challenge to get students’ collaboration skills warmed up, they then learnt about various retrofit designs the architects had worked with clients on. Afterwards they were asked to judge how sustainable and environmentally friendly their own homes were based on factors such as insulation, average temperature and wall thickness, with a discussion around how different materials and house styles could improve the carbon footprint of their homes.
After a bit of independent research to identify other retrofits from around the world students admired, they were set the task of re-designing their school for a new purpose in the future. They could choose to redesign parts of the school or the entire building, with new sustainable additions such as thicker walls, better placed windows and renewable energy methods all being encouraged. Using school floor plans as their canvas, students came up with many creative and inventive use for their school, with everything from a centre for homeless people, to a futuristic and improved school design.
Students were then asked to create a model which would help communicate their ideas in a 3D format – something which was quite challenging given the short time they had to complete! The afternoon session saw the students' ideas be supported and further developed by Robin and Stephen, before students were given a short presentation about what Passivhaus is and how bringing buildings to a Passivhaus standard is an environmentally friendly solution to the need for more housing.
Overall the day was a great success, and it was lovely to see students interacted with the architects about topics which they were passionate and cared for. We hope to work more collaboratively with GIA in the future.
If you would like to work with students on sustainable architecture keep an eye out for our new learning resources, which will arrive on architecture.com from 27 January 2022.
