Architecture students at all stages are encouraged to test ideas through a variety of techniques. It is important that students master emerging design technologies that will be integral to architectural practice in the future. In our brand new workshop, they can test ideas through carpentry, 3d printing and laser cutting. The school’s survey equipment such as the 3d scanner can prove useful during fieldwork, while the McClay Library, opened in 2009, is regularly updated with leading architecture books and journals.

Every student has a desk in the school’s design studios: a luxury that many universities are unable to offer. The studios foster a collaborative working relationship between peers that can last far beyond the degree itself. This has obvious benefits for the students’ work, but most importantly it strengthens mutual support and encouragement.

At Queen’s, every architecture student is given their own desk space in one of the studios, and has access to shared review and workshop facilities.

Students are given enough studio space to test ideas through physical model making, aided by laser cutting and 3d printing facilities.

Review spaces are crucial to the studio environment, where design tutors engage with each student’s design project every week.

Students are encouraged to use the display spaces in their studios to develop group projects and support each other via peer reviews.

Our workshops offer laser cutting and 3d printing as well as all the necessary tools for working with wood. The workshop is overseen by full time technician Chris Farnan.

Photo credit: Chris Farnan