(UN)BUILDING: DESIGN SPACE AND CITY-MAKING

In Spring 2023 we ran the pilot programme of (Un)Building as a free 20-week course for young people in Hackney and Islington from underrepresented communities in architecture. It was delivered on Saturday afternoons (2pm to 5pm) from the 7 January to the 27 May 2023 at the LSA in Haggerston and other locations across the city.
(Un)Building introduced foundational climate literacy and presents the practice of spatial design and city-making as a collective endeavour. Alongside introducing a wide range of experts, the cohort undertook a design and build brief, engaging with local community groups to help shape their final proposal which will was realised in late Spring 2023.
The programme explored new ways of designing with sustainability in mind, considering how spaces can be built, unbuilt and adapted to allow for new uses in an age of Climate Emergency and was delivered across three stages:
- Skill-building
- Live project
- Documentation
Our course studied exemplary local retro-fit projects, re-introducing the built environment as a rich source of inspiration, explore the possibilities of working with natural materials and the opportunities that spatial designers have to positively influence their surroundings.
Through emphasising craft and making, critical engagement with context and environment, and collaborative practice, the course inspired young people to explore and develop relevant and resilient forms of space-making.
To learn more about the 2023 programme, ready more below. To find out more about our 2024 Saturday Club, and to get involved, email yaya@the-lsa.org and roy@the-lsa.org.