Architecture students collaborate on exciting community project

The Rammed Earth project aims to build a children’s playground on the Spode site in Stoke town, constructed from clay spoil.

Architecture student Scarlett explained: ‘Rammed Earth consists of different materials like hay and gravel, combined with clay to make a tougher material to make structures.’

First, second and third years got a chance to collaborate on the project, with third years taking a leadership role. Architecture student, Jeremiah said: ‘We would each share ideas, talk about our responses to the brief, work together. It was useful to learn about a new material and innovative way of thinking.

This is the second year that students have had an opportunity to take part in a project of this kind. Jeremiah said: ‘Last time, I was the second year doing the digital representation, this year I gained new skills as being the group leader’.

Students also gained valuable gateways to industry through being able to pitch their ideas to external clients, such as rammed earth specialists Tuckey Design. Scarlet said: ‘They often came in and we would pitch our ideas through presentations and some of our research and they would give us feedback and tell us where to improve’.

Rammed Earth was part of a programme of events giving Architecture students real-world experience. This included a symposium and exhibition around the theme of ‘collaboration’. Jeremiah said: ‘In collaboration with the NSSA, we invited several people to talk about their projects, for example people working on the student village on campus’.

The exhibition featured the work of local architect, Cedric Price who conceived the ‘Potteries Think Belt’. Scarlett said: ‘To be able to see his work was very inspiring but also to see our own work displayed as well’.