Between September 2014 and June 2021 I was a Studio Tutor/Studio Master/Acting Head of Department for the Foundation Course at The Architectural Association.

“The AA Foundation course is a one-year introduction to an art and design-based education. It allows students to develop their conceptual ideas through experimenting with a wide range of media and creative disciplines in an intimate studio environment. As students are introduced to a variety of intellectual and process-based approaches, they learn more about themselves: their own interests, passions, aspirations and inspirations. Drawing on a number of pedagogical practices, experienced tutors and visiting practitioners, Foundation offers a unique cross-disciplinary education within the context of an architectural school.

Anatomical models produced during a three-week brief looking at the body and equivalent materials, November 2019

Visiting Carlo Scarpa’s garden at Fondazione Querini Stampalia Foundation, Venice, December 2017

Group trip to Venice, December 2017

Students studying fragments of the AA’s fabric for their first project, October 2017

Making and testing 1:1 models within the AA’s Hooke Park site, March 2016

Investigating structures built within the woodland at the AA’s Hooke Park site, March 2016

Discussing the redevelopment of an estate in West London, Southall December 2019

Group work analysing the Mowlem Theatre, Swanage, January 2020

Discussing students’ drawings representing their journeys from home into the AA as part of the ‘City’ brief, December 2017

Visiting the Orsoni glass factory, Venice, December 2017

Students testing a timber model made at the AA’s Hooke Park workshop, March 2018

Life Drawing Workshop as part of the ‘Body’ brief, March 2016

The first term provides an introduction to observation, analysis, inspiration and representation. The second term follows with a series of three-week projects allowing students to work in groups, digest the art of constructive critique and develop an understanding of content and context. During the final term, the faculty supports students as they write their own briefs and produce a series of explorations and experiments using knowledge accumulated throughout the year, which takes its final form as their portfolio.”

AA Foundation Course website

Students with their 1:1 timber explorations in the Hooke Park workshops, March 2018

Preparations for Projects Review, July 2016

Portfolio review and discussion, January 2016

Reviewing the year’s work in preparation for Projects Review, June 2016

Talking to the group during the Foundation trip to Florence, November 2015