SAED 

Sustainable architecture and the changes to our climate have been the centre of ethical architecture and many governmental policies. The Sustainable Architecture: Evaluation and Design course, aims to guarantee a better future and lowers the impact on our climate by providing vast knowledge in this area to the students, derived from many years of research and knowledge exchange. Our course focuses on the theory and practice of developing low carbon and sustainable buildings with a strong link with the industry allowing students to learn from the latest challenges. There are several theoretical and practical modules within the course teaching students, the physics behind the buildings to the impact of microclimates at the urban scale, services within the building, dynamic simulation as well as the building in use performance.

The course normally benefits from several small field trips as well as one main field trip which forms part of the students’ study on implementing the knowledge gained throughout the course, in a more practical and self-developed proposal.

However, this year due to Covid-19 implications and restrictions, all additional activities and trips had to be re-evaluated and restricted in line with the government and the university guidelines.   

The Building Simulation and Design in Context module allows MSc and MArchD students to apply the knowledge gained from other modules within the course through two project themes: Design for the future, and Passivhaus design. This year the project was based locally in Oxford, which provided the students with the opportunity to address different challenges associated with the site and its surroundings.  

The students undertook a thorough site analysis by understanding the climate (current and future climate to examine impact), constraints and challenges unique to the site, solar exposure and orientation, possible flooding problem, noise, wind, transport to and from the site, energy production within the site, survey and mapping of socio-cultural issues and environmental practices.

The students also explored the best possible strategies for the site and chosen concepts to come up with a suitable and sustainable project.

Chloe Berry

A low embodied carbon and Passivhaus exemplar house built by the resident architects for clients to stay and experience a true representation of sustainable living for themselves. This home ensures mitigation of harmful greenhouse gases are greatly reduced without compromising the comfort of the occupier with the intention of the client adopting these strategies for their own project.

EMILY-ROSE GARNETT

The Art Works : A Sustainable Hub for a Creative Community

The Art Works provides a sustainable hub for the creative community on Cowley Road, Oxford. The building is intended to be run by the community, for the community, enhancing social cohesion. To reflect the ephemeral nature of the community art on Cowley Road a frame is used to provide a structure that can be adapted by the community to showcase different art and act as a stage set for events, like the famous Cowley Road Carnival. The building houses coliving and studio spaces for three artists in residence on the upper floors with an open and public ground floor for exhibitions, events and classes.

Jade Newman

Wildseed Garden Cafe

Wildseed Garden Cafe forms a unique community in Cowley, inviting all people with a passion for good food, it makes for the perfect place for families to have fun and to catch a break - whether that be relaxing in the cafe, running around the playground or connecting with nature in the garden. Adjoined to the cafe is a playground bursting with energy, and a stunning edible roof garden, which produces fresh, home-grown herbs and vegetables for the seasonal menu. All the ingredients are organic and brought to life in the Wildseed kitchen, which anyone can sign up to contribute to. Horticulturalist, or a family looking for an activity, can book the accommodation for a week to create wonderful new memories and skills to keep for a lifetime!

Rana Desoky

The Safe Haven: For Women Empowerment  

The safe haven is a centre dedicated for empowering women who suffer from any type of trauma that resulted from domestic or sexual abuse. This is centre will aim to take the user through a journey of counselling, physical and mental healing by self-defence classes and meditation, followed by institution to educate and empower them and make them strong and confident to face the world again. Once they heal, they come back and help the other women to also heal. Making the journey a cycle of taking and giving.

The location of the site is perfect due to the availability of health centres such as the NHS Health Centre and St Batholomew’s Medical Centre. Also, due to the availability of transportation, restaurants and police stations. The availability and the close reach to all the facilities will help make the users feel secure.