Architectural Crafts

Architectural design: field surveys and study visits

Field surveys take place when possible. The aim is to visit locations with examples of traditional art from the past, but particularly places where crafts are still practised. For many students it is their first experience of meeting living masters of some of the most ancient traditional arts. The Field Survey is thus important in helping students to understand the relationship between theory and practice. Through their meetings with craftsmen, observation, drawing, lectures, and seminars on site, the importance of this relationship becomes clear. Seeing art and architecture in context provides enormous inspiration for the students’ own work.

 

Mosaic

In this course students will be introduced to the art of ‘real mosaic’ through lectures illustrating Byzantine mosaic. From day one the course will be practical and all students will progress to a finished piece in glass or marble. All necessary tools and materials are provided in order to experience both the ‘direct’ and ‘indirect’ methods. These duplicate techniques used by the Romans who first understood that it is in the placing of the stones, in an organic yet harmonious fashion, that the art of mosaic is found. One of the aims of the course is to distinguish between Roman/ Byzantine mosaic (‘real mosaic’) and subsequent techniques, which are best described as “intricate tiling”.

 

Stained Glass

These classes will enable students to experiment with all aspects of design and manufacture —including the production of ‘the cut line’ of a chosen image, selecting colours, cutting the glass and then leading and soldering the glass together. Students will be asked to work as a team, producing one or two panels depicting geometric, classical, or biomorphic designs.

 

Wood marquetry

This course aims to facilitate the understanding and implementation of the processes involved in veneering, with a focus on parquetry and inlay. Geometric designs found in Islamic architecture and furniture are employed. There are three stages to this course: Designing, Making and Finishing. An introductory presentation on the history, methods, and materials of wood inlay and its application in interiors and furniture is followed by an exploration of the variety of wood veneers that are available today. Students are guided through the three stages by demonstrations and with one to one teaching.