Portsmouth School of Architecture (ARCH)
Paradigm Research Group
Contact: roger.tyrrell@port.ac.uk
The Paradigm Research Group translates the School’s paradigmatic teaching methodology into the realm of academic research and scholarly activity. In many senses the group represents a ‘non-theoretical’ position within architectural research discourse, rather than residing within a singular theoretical frame, the Group draws from a diverse range of intellectual sources and physical phenomena and is focused upon an equally diverse range of typologies and architectural challenges.
The group comprises experienced researchers, mid and early-career researchers and PhD students and have and continue to develop a wide range of research outputs and scholarly activity that sit with the over-arching paradigmatic framework.
Sub-Group and Research Themes
PhD applications in any of these areas are encouraged. Please get in touch with us if you would like to discuss your research ideas.
Paradigmatic Frameworks of Pedagogy and Research
[RT/NC/LF/BM]
Contact: roger.tyrrell@port.ac.uk
The PFPR Group develop research and scholarly activity focused upon the theory and practice of a paradigmatic approach within both research methodology and pedagogy. Research activity is designed to inform pedagogy throughout the School and wider constituencies, whilst pedagogic practice informs the content and structure of research. Current international collaborators are The University of Aalborg, Denmark, The University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia and the l’Ecole Nationale d’Architecture of Morocco.
The Jørn Utzon Research Network (JURN)
[RT/NC/GB/LF]
Contact: roger.tyrrell@port.ac.uk
This group represents an international network of academics, students and practitioners focused upon the exploration of the work and methodology of Jørn Utzon (Architect of the Sydney Opera House). Initiated as a collaboration between the University of Portsmouth School of Architecture and the Department of Architecture, Design and Mediatechnology of the University of Aalborg, Denmark, the network has expanded and now includes over two hundred individuals and six Institutional members.
In April 2012, the group held the Third International Utzon Symposium and Workshop in Morocco and is currently planning the Fourth International Symposium in collaboration with UNSW and associated JURN workshop to be held in Tasmania in collaboration with the University of Tasmania.
A range of outputs are currently in progress, including published proceedings from the Third Symposium, a book proposal with the working title: The Utzon Paradigm – 001 Morocco and a range of collaborative academic papers.
Transcultural Design Influences:
[RT/NC/GB]
Contact: roger.tyrrell@port.ac.uk
Focused upon research, scholarly activity and pedagogy in a transcultural context. In an increasingly globalised world, previously defined cultural social and political boundaries are eroded. This group explores the concept that core architectural ideas might be capable of transcending those boundaries, yet are then informed by the specific context of particular place. Rooted within a phenomenological frame, the group works with an increasing number of collaborative institutions that currently include the University of Aalborg, Denmark, The University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia, the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, and the l’Ecole Nationale d’Architecture of Morocco.
The Architecture of Social Responsibility
[TW/GB]
Contact: tod.wakefield@port.ac.uk
This group interrogates the potential of restoration of the paradigm for social responsibility within the theory and praxis of architecture, exploring such potentials within our contemporary zeitgeist. The particular focus is the politics of space. Is it possible for the work of the Architect to be ‘socially responsible’ within a late capitalist context problematic, and if possible, to what extent and what are the opportunities? Group members will focus this theoretical stance with the more pragmatic work of the Paradigms of Housing group to develop research and scholarly activity within this framework.
Paradigms of Housing
[GB/TW/RT/NC]
Contact: greg.bailey@port.ac.uk
The diverse research and scholarly activity within this group represents the diverse nature of the subject. From interrogations of archaic notions of what it is to ‘dwell poetically’ through to more tangible dimensions of housing for the ‘third age’, the group seeks to critique and inform contemporary debate, and in the exploration of the potential held within academia both in the UK and Europe to develop housing solutions appropriate to our own and future epochs, addressing and challenging the wider social/political and cultural context. Through these activities developing and initiating connections with universities and bodies here and abroad, and expanding understanding and experiential opportunities for both architecture and interior design students, thereby acknowledging the fundamental importance of the internal experience to the effectiveness of any housing proposition.
The Paradigm of Craft and Making
[NC/RT/SA/BM]
Contact: nicola.crowson@port.ac.uk
In our complex world, the notions of craft and making provide a potential counterpoint to immediacy and mass-production. This group focuses upon searching academic questions such as the nature of craft within the twenty-first century, the efficacy of such a position and the potential applications within making architecture through for example, the development of processes that may inform such interrogations such as prototyping.
The Paradigm of Craft and Making: Sub Group - Embodied Practice
[BM]
Contact: belinda.mitchell@port.ac.uk
This group conducts research, scholarly activity and praxis across the scales of architectural endeavour interrogating the relationship between body and space, considered through the frames of embodied practices, tacit knowledge and drawing and making. This is an inter-disciplinary group that explores different attitudes towards the body in space.
Vernacular Paradigms and Extant Architecture
[PC/BM/RT/NC]
Contact: Pamela.cole@port.ac.uk
Extant buildings remain one of the most under-valued resources with contemporary western culture, many under-utilised and within their current condition, apparently unsuitable for many contemporary uses. This group is focused upon the potential of contemporary architecture through design excellence to exploit the potential held by existing buildings to contribute again to our economy, culture and sense of place.
Within the vernacular contexts, these archaic structures have much to teach contemporary architecture. Group members also focus, in collaboration with the Transcultural Design Influences Group to develop research and scholarly activity within this framework.