Review of Oxford Brookes degree show in the AJ

With business booming, I went to Oxford Brookes to scout for new talent for Edward Williams Architects and was not disappointed. The new glass box atrium makes a splendid venue for a party – and there was a buzzing atmosphere on the opening night.
The diploma work was given pride of place on the ground floor adjacent to the various Masters programmes. I was a bit overwhelmed by the variety of units and projects – but impressed by quality of representation. Excellent CGI skills are a sure way to a good job.
I headed straight for the MA is Sustainable Design students who always address a real and local site – this year it was the controversial green belt Northern Gateway Development in Wolvercote. The group of 35 international students produced original research and analysis as well as creative environmental solutions – valuable experience which can be used in an office. I asked tutor Maita Kessler to point me in the direction of the best students – but she said they had already been snapped up.
On and up to the 3rd floor design studies to see the undergraduate work and I loved the pop of bright colour of Units E and F. I was struck by the delicacy and craft of beautifully made models of regeneration projects in Parma and the ice-cream coloured Memphis graphics and models of urban dwellings in Elephant and Castle.
The graphics of the Year Book has made it hard to identify the students but luckily many had left business cards next to their projects, which has made contacting my favourite students easy. They will be hearing from me.

Lucy Mori

Business Development Director

Edward Williams Architects

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/students/studen...