The University of York has announced that it will be launching a new architecture school. This will allow York students a new pathway to learning about design principles and potentially become instrumental in crafting the skylines of tomorrow. This subject will join in the ranks of 250+ other courses offered by the university to prospective students.
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The announcement was made as university staff seek out a founding professor with extensive experience in the field. This role will play a significant part in shaping the future of the school, and will serve as the head of the department. Under the leadership of this staff member, as well as consultation with top players in the industry and an advisory board, the university hopes the department will grow and achieve great things.
Professor Charlie Jeffery, Vice-Chancellor, said: “York is well-positioned to become a leader in societally-informed design, so this is a really bold and exciting new chapter for the University.
“Our founding professor will help shape and nurture an interdisciplinary culture in the department, building on our research strengths in community, computation, environment and geography, heritage and social policy.
“We want to broaden access into the professional community, championing diversity and inclusion in both our student body and our staff, as we train the next generation of architects.”
The Department of Architecture and the Built Environment is expected to be accredited by the ARB, as well as validated by the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects). It will offer both undergraduate and graduate level courses, focusing on sustainable design and eco-conscious buildings. It will be placed under the umbrella of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities.
The Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Professor Ambrose Field, said: “This new department will offer new and exciting opportunities to re-think the typical architecture student experience.
“We have the chance to build an approach that is culturally-informed, inclusive, creative and sustainable from the outset. We will place an emphasis on teamwork and real-world engagement in how we teach, together with establishing a clear research agenda in responsible design”.
The architecture school is set to open in 2025, with a capacity for up to 500 students. It will be designed to align with the university’s mission to aid in the public good, with a focus on social issues as well as the environment.
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