MArch Architectural Design Students 2008–2009: Christina Achtypi, Tyler J. Barnard, Ka Sing Chong, Cordelia Hänel, Verena Hoch, Svetlana Khidirova, Rebal Knayzeh, Yun Pei Lee, Mei-Fang Liao, Yung-En Lin, Geraldine Lo, Yorgos Loizos, Ren Luo, Danai Melessidou, Anna Nikolaidou, Tugba Ozbay, Hyun Jun Park, Danai Surasa, Camila Sotomayor, ChiaHao Tsai, Hsien Shin Tseng, Sining Wang, Tze-Chun Wei, Zhili Xu, Ji Yao
Advanced Virtual And Technological Architecture Research (AVATAR) The Advanced Virtual and Technological Architecture Research Laboratory was founded in September 2004 at the Bartlett School of Architecture, by Professor Neil Spiller. AVATAR is conceived as a cross unit research group and has an agenda that explores all manner of digital and visceral terrain, its augmentation and symbiosis. AVATAR also has dedicated Design Masters/PhD Programme students. Over recent years AVATAR has grown into an international research collaborative centre including associates at MIT, Cornell, Rensaalar, Ann Arbor, Berkley in the USA, Waterloo in Canada and scientists in Odense, Denmark. It attracts students from around the world and a critical mix of cultural, aesthetic and social agendas are encouraged.
Its components are: Architecture and Digital Fabrication Architecture and Synthetic Biology Architecture and Interaction Architecture and Cyborgian Geography Architecture and Digital Surrealism Architecture, Film and Animation AVATAR considers itself uniquely skilled and positioned to posit new aesthetic systems and codes of representation for architecture, interior design, multi media design and graphic design. Generally, it is at the forefront of international architectural discourse and is constantly working to uncover the new architecture of the Twenty-First Century.
AVATAR is fundamentally interested in research concerning the impact of advanced technology on architectural design, however it also contributes to discussion on issues such as aesthetics, philosophy and cybernetics. Technologically, AVATAR concerns itself with virtuality (exploring fully immersed, mixed and augmented environments); Time-based new media (film, video and film theory), Nano and bio technology (micro landscapes and architecture, ethics, sustainability and ecology) including reflexive environments and cybernetic systems. It is also developing synthetic biological architecture that is capable of sustainable construction.
Programme Director: Neil Spiller. Programme Coordinator: Andrew Porter. Tutors: Rachel Armstrong, Nic Clear, Ranulph Glanville, Simon Herron, Stuart Munro, Shaun Murray, Andrew Porter, Neil Spiller, Phil Watson