Architecture students to benefit from new state-of-the-art digital 'crit' space

Architecture students at the University's Canterbury campus are set to benefit from the latest in digital technology with the opening of a £1 million extension to provide new 'crit' facilities at the Kent School of Architecture (KSA).

The new extension, designed by award-winning architects Guy Hollaway, was opened by Stephen Hodder, President Elect of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) on Thursday, 29 November. He described the new extension as 'quite remarkable' and said Kent was 'leading the way' among schools of architecture. It will provide Kent's architecture students with one of the finest and most advanced learning environments in the UK. New state-of-the-art 70-inch U-Touch screens with HD resolution will enable up to six students and tutors to interact and contribute to 'crit' presentations in each screen.

'Crits' are an important part of architecture students' education, providing invaluable experience of having their projects questioned and scrutinised - in the same way as real work situations - and the new facilities will radically change the way Kent students present their work for discussion and feedback.

Professor Don Gray, Head of KSA, said: ‘This is a very exciting development and will mean our architecture students will have access to some of the very best digital learning and teaching facilities in the UK.

'These eight digital touch screens will totally change the way students present their work. This new way of learning and teaching will be more intuitive and also more collaborative as we can accommodate up to six students at each screen.

'The design of the building is the result of a creative collaboration between Guy Hollaway Architects and KSA. One of the unique aspects of the project is a rippling façade which responds instantaneously to local wind conditions.

'Observers have already expressed surprise and delight at this lively addition to the University's Canterbury campus.'

Contact: m.j.herrema@kent.ac.uk

Story published at 9:29am 3 December 2012