visiting
summer architecture school
5–23 July 2010 The three-week, full time AA Summer Architecture School presents a challenging programme of design studios, field study, seminars and lectures that emphasise the importance of both practice and theory in contemporary architecture. Based on the AA’s unit system, it offers participants a selection of varying design approaches, agendas and techniques, and represents a uniquely intensive and intimate environment that aims to expand formal and intellectual resources. Based in London, each of the school’s units creatively use the city’s surroundings as their focus of research. Past themes for the Summer Architecture School have included speed, visions of the future, disaster and, most recently, modest micro-strategies for difficult financial times. Tutors, lecturers and critics include past and present AA unit masters as well as professionals pooled from disciplines as diverse as fashion, art, graphics, industrial design, urbanism and film. Dynamic group work is encouraged, with over 80 students working in distinct groups hailing from over 35 countries. Numerous techniques of working are promoted that include both analogue fabrication as well as digital production.
Tutors Natasha Sandmeier is an architect and partner of Big Picture Studio. She is Unit Master of Diploma 9 and co-directs the AA Summer Architecture School. She was project architect for the Seattle Public Library at OMA, and at other offices in the US.
166
Shumon Basar is a writer, editor, curator and director of the AA’s Cultural Projects. Co-founder of sexymachinery magazine, and contributing editor at Tank and Bidoun magazines. Recent books include Cities from Zero and The World of Madelon Vriesendorp (with Stephan Trüby).
Tutors Natasha Sandmeier Shumon Basar
visiting
With fees of £1,500, the course is aimed at undergraduate architectural students who would like to experience the AA environment and/or those who are considering a change of school; and newcomers to architecture, both recent school leavers and those considering a career change.
Final catwalk jury for the AA Summer School 2009
167