As part of this year’s graduate summer shows, we are chatting with some of our final-year students to hear more about the projects they are currently working on.
The Art and Design Summer show features the work of final year students studying architecture, interior architecture, design engineering, sustainable design, interior design, fashion history, product design, and art and design history.
In this blog post, Alma Akhavi, who is studying Architecture BA(Hons), explains how she came up with the idea for her project and shares her favourite moments while studying at Brighton.
Project inspiration and influences
“I have come to realise I’m always drawn to projects that have an existing context to work with. Whether it’s retrofit, working with an existing structure or a proposal on a historical site with heritage references. I enjoy looking at similar projects, seeing how others have felt with similar constraints to see how I could learn from their approach and make the project respond to as many factors as possible.
“The idea for my project came from a case study project called ‘never too small’, I realised that small spaces only work when they are fully customised based on the user’s needs, and that’s what inspired me to look deeper into what people like to collect and make up their spaces.
“I’m designing a modular steel grid frame with prefab wooden studs, and brick facades that reflect the context of Peckham, where the project is located. The materials were chosen so people could customise the interior compartments of their homes as freely as possible.”
Why architecture at Brighton?
“I chose to study architecture as a way to better understand the built environment, I always had a passion for homes, I loved seeing how people live and make their spaces, I always thought it reflected so many parts of them, from their culture, to their passions, their home is a reflection of who they are. I was always interested in learning through design.
“I chose Brighton as I felt it had an approach that was based in real-life contexts of architecture and would give me the freedom to form my own ideas and find my own approach.”
Learning through dialogue and design
“The best part of my experience has been the tutorials with tutors, seeing their perspective, and learning from their precedents and eye for detail. It was always interesting to see where the conversations would go. Learning more about different ways a design concept could go and pushing myself to explore it in more depth has taught me interesting aspects about my work.”
What Brighton means to me
“Brighton became the place where I started to form my own ideas around architecture and develop my own drawing style and approach to design, because I had transferred my studies into the second year of the course, it allowed me to further understand what I was passionate about and how I wanted to develop my skills further.”
Words of wisdom to my younger self
“I would tell myself to choose a course and a place I would truly enjoy, make more mistakes, take it easy and don’t be afraid to change my course if I change my mind, there are so many different pathways one can take around design, so be open to change and have fun in the process. “
Thinking about studying architecture at Brighton?
At Brighton, we offer a hands-on, real-world approach to architecture that encourages you to develop your own design voice. With supportive tutors, a strong studio culture, and projects rooted in real contexts, it’s a great place to explore your creativity and grow as a designer.
Find out more about our architecture and design degrees on the University of Brighton website.
Published by