The Construction and Built Environment Diploma was made available to students to study in September 2008. Now in its second year, teachers and students alike are getting into their Diploma stride, though some students have been surprised by how academically challenging it is!
Exploring development © ICD photography
Supporting the Diploma
Solent Centre for Architecture + Design set up three groups across Eastleigh, Southampton and Portsmouth to support students studying for the Diploma. Each group meets regularly out of school hours, to focus on a live design project. The groups are supported by professional architects, Planning Aid volunteers and Solent Centre staff. In addition to the core meetings, supplementary workshops are provided by professionals such as developers and artists.
A closer look
The Eastleigh Consortium students come from three different schools in the area. Stephen Shaw from the Quilley School of Engineering leads the group. He wanted his SPUD students to:
- gain a wider contextual understanding of planning and project management.
- enjoy the work.
- increase their interest in the built environment.
- pass the Diploma course.
Their live design project is the local railway station, a focal point of the town. The students have visited the site and decided to focus on a redesign of the concourse. They have also visited other local stations, as well as places of interest such as BRE innovation park, to help stimulate their ideas. Stephen also hopes to take them to St Pancras International.
Eastleigh rail station © plasticsnow aka Kat, Flickr.com
Tracking progress
Every SPUD student is keeping a diary of their experiences. A website has been created, with content added as the projects progress. Once the projects are complete the Eastleigh students hope to present their ideas to the local Council.
To find out more and to keep up to date, visit the SPUD website www.spudgroup.org.uk, or come back to the Engaging Places website in the summer to find out how they did.
Inspired?
Have a look at the following resources:
Ideas for delivering the Diploma
St Pancras International teaching activities
