Brief: To support Anglia Ruskin: Design and Make on 1:1 basis.
Architecture and Architectural Technology students from Anglia Ruskin have gained more knowledge and experience than most graduates and many professionals. EATTA and TRADA’s input has enabled them to design, specify, machine, fabricate and construct at 1:1…
When I saw the number for Tabitha came up I knew as Charmain of EATTA from past experience, I knew we would be in for a challenging few months – but I also knew that together if managed correctly we would push forward further student knowledge of timber and timber products.
Reuben Brambleby, who had benefitted from The EATTA project “ Who Teaches The Teachers” last year had a new colleague at Anglia Ruskin, a Professor Maria Vogiatzaki bought in to develop the Architecture and Architectural Technology degrees, had joined to realise a full design and make at 1:1 project.
Tabitha Binding TRADA’s UEP manager in conjunction with EATTA provides lectures, information, guidance, practical support. She works closely with the TTF regions whose members produce and/or import the vast majority of timber and timber products on the UK market. For the right project they are often willing to sponsor projects. Hence the phone call …
With a passion for education through practical assembly and making, Maria challenged her students to design and detail timber pavilions – with the winning design to be specified and built for the end of year Design and Build Summer exhibition show and would be judged by RIBA and visiting Architects. Two pavilions were shortlisted, with students and staff voting for the eventual winner. Students from both design teams collaborated on the technical design to refine it and make it practical and most importantly were able to build it buildable.
EATTA members Hoppings Softwood Products and Meyer Timber and their UPM agreed to support the project. suppliers
The six arches are each manufactured from 3 layers of UPM’s WISA 18mm plywood
Grymsdyke is run by Guan Lee – a research facility, fabrication workshop and living-working space for architects, artists, designers and those interested in materials and processes of making. Guan donated his time and the CNC machining service – giving the students a master class in software interaction with hardware and the importance of checking designs, tool paths, cutting and fit.
The student design required lathes for the pavilion roof, not an off the peg item as superior sawing accuracy is required. Hoppings Softwood Products took on the job, donating redwood re-sawn from 25mm stock. Being design students, the students could not resist the allure of black timber and so chose to char the lathes – a nod towards Yakisugi.
The build took place during the first week of June and was officially opened, as planned on 13 June at Anglia Ruskin’s Summer Exhibition. It was exhibited in the entrance forecourt of The University – Representing the collaborators I attended for and behalf of EATTA and was pleasantly surprised at the innovative design and quality of the workmanship – EATTA also donated two prizes each to the top students involved in the process
Maria Vogiatzaki said “We could not have achieved this without Chris and Tabitha’s input. Their knowledge, passion and the generosity from their EATTA members have helped us even when problems appeared insurmountable, to enable our very first build to take place. Every student in this years’ cohort has learnt so much and now appreciate that lines on paper and words on specifications without hands on experience of the products and construction methods guided by knowledgeable suppliers is worthless. The students that volunteered to see the pavilion through to the end result, as in life, learnt more. This was the ultimate simulation of and exposure to reality at a student’s infancy stage of studying architecture and architectural technology and timber has been the best material for them to practice with and learn from.”
Tabitha responded “This build was a collaborative process which could not have been accomplished without Chris at EATTA, and with all the generous assistance and knowledge of Meyer Timber, UPM, Hopping Softwoods and Guan at Grymsdyke Farm donating materials, machining facilities, time and prizes to the project – thank you for supporting, educating and believing in our next generation of professionals. Working with educators like Maria who want their students to understand design and building holistically through making, is a joy. The enthusiasm is infectious with students and staff working in their free time to cut, fabricate and build the fantastic pavilion. Together by collaboration we are helping to create tomorrows’ timber professionals.”