Picture of Joel Wallace, architecture alumnus

Importance of community spirit at Brighton and beyond

Architecture graduate Joel Wallace Erabu shares how his experience at the University of Brighton has led him to help disadvantaged communities and inspire the next generation of architects. 

Joel Wallace Erabu tells us about how being at Brighton university, and his experience of the city itself, gave him a powerful sense of community – and how he has applied this to his own international career and principles.

In addition to the multiple impressive industry recognitions he has received, he also donates a lot of time to mentoring future architects and has spent time working on charitable projects to help disadvantaged communities back home in sub-Saharan Africa.

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Architecture student Jamie with a cat on his shoulder

Bursary award for Architecture student Jamie

Congratulations to Architecture BA(Hons) students Jamie Singlton and Armen Etemadrad, two brilliant Brighton students who have been awarded a Sussex Heritage Trust bursary for the Oak Timber Framing: Wall Framing course. Find out more about Jamie studies at Brighton and what the bursary means to him .You can find out more about Armen here.

I grew up in a village in West Sussex so Brighton has always been fairly local to me. From looking at the variety of Architecture courses available from universities, Brighton seemed to be the only real course that has actively demonstrated how it is possible to achieve and practice more. Opportunities of making a real difference with projects such as the waste house and other live project like the current one we are doing in Studio 26 – a cricket Pavilion and community centre in Bexhill – excite me. It provides a level of detail to and specificity to what we do to create real conclusions of what’s around us and how we can use architecture as a means to change communities positively.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here, I found the format our course personal, and allowed us to better engage with staff and students. The structure of the design studios acting as an office space creates a pleasurable working environment with each of us having a dedicated space that encourages us to come in and work collaboratively.

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Architecture student Armen smiling and looking off camera

Bursary award for Architecture student Armen

Congratulations to Architecture BA(Hons) students Armen Etemadrad and Jamie Singleton, two brilliant Brighton students who have been awarded a Sussex Heritage Trust bursary for the Oak Timber Framing: Wall Framing course. Find out more about Armen’s studies at Brighton and what the bursary means to him. You can find out more about Jamie here.

I chose Brighton because of it’s architecture school facilities and experienced staff.

I have enjoyed using the workshops to create different types of models with various techniques. I have also enjoyed working with different people in the studio to push events and create fun little experiences throughout our year. Model making and sketching ideas are by far the most enjoyable activities I have done.

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Close up photo of Jesse wearing sunglasses

Life at Brighton for prize winning Sustainable Design MA student

Huge congratulations to Sustainable Design MA student Jesse Mugambi, one of two winners of Jägermeister’s #SaveThe Night global competition, which supports nightlife projects around the world. Jesse’s prize is €50,000 to build a music studio and nightclub from decommissioned shipping containers in his native Kenya.

Find out more about Jesse and his time at Brighton in conversation with us here, and discover more about his prize winning project in this post.

What did you study as a first degree?
Architecture BA (Hons) at University of Brighton (2020)

Tell us about your project
My concept is Studio Can-V, a portable space that serves as a studio for musicians to practice and a venue for people to discover new artists. Constructed from a repurposed shipping container and utilising local vernacular design, we aim to foreground contemporary Kenyan identities to create a versatile space that transitions from a daytime hub for young DJs and to a night time club for adult audiences. Studio Can-V centres inclusivity by foregrounding the voices of young DJs from various communities and backgrounds, who represent the future of an equal society. It will help build relationships across the industry and create new gateways for those yet to break into the sector. By empowering local artisans and promoting youth cultural identities, we seek to reclaim our future through music, dance, and connection. Leveraging the global reach of Kenyan artists, it is not only a physical space but a platform for artists to break into new markets, with the scope of scaling up across Africa.

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You'll belong at Brighton graphic

Come to an applicant event

Our applicant events are a great way to learn more about your course after you have applied, to get to know us better and make sure we are the right university for you.

To book you’ll need your University of Brighton student number which you’ll find on any emails you’ve received from us about your application.

Online subject Q+A sessions

Online applicant subject q+a sessions are for students who have applied to Brighton – you don’t need to hold an offer to attend. These sessions provide a chance to ask questions to academics and current students before attending one of our on campus applicant days.

If you have applied to study on one of our architecture, interior architecture, product design, engineering, civil engineering, computing or construction courses join us online on Wednesday 28 February.

Book your place

On-campus applicant days

Your chance to check out the campus and also attend talks and tasters from your subject academics, our current students, student support services and have a tour of our accommodation.

If you are holding an offer from one of our architecture, interior architecture, product design, engineering, civil engineering, computing or construction courses we have two upcoming campus events at the Moulsecoomb campus:

  • Saturday 23 March
  • Wednesday 24 April

Book your place

We look forward to seeing you!

Matt Read graduate sitting a table smiling at the camera

Space to explore on our Architectural and Urban Design MA

Matt Reed graduated from our Architectural and Urban Design MA in 2023. He tells us about some of the his highlights at Brighton and how he is turning his major project into an exciting installation in 2024.

Why Architectural and Urban Design MA at Brighton?
I had been thinking about a career change for a while and Brighton had a course that really interested me which seemed like it could be an excellent extension to my previous studies – Fine Art intermediate at Kingston University (1993-96) and a Postgraduate Certificate in Glass & Architecture at Central St. Martins (2008-09) – and maybe offer up new work prospects.

I really enjoyed the course, and I highly recommend it, especially for someone looking to do something a bit more experimental within the field of architecture. At the time I started the course it was still during the pandemic, so a lot of the study was initially online. But things opened up gradually over time.

Support and space to explore
I actually took a year out in the middle of my studies. I did the part time route, which was two years, but I took a year out and ended up spreading it over three years. This worked well for me, as it allowed me to do paid work around the course. But, it also gave me thinking space and time to really absorb the material and to apply it to my own creative practice. The university staff were very flexible about this, which was great. The support provided was excellent and they were always happy to accommodate my needs.

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Architecture lecturer wins RIBA House of the Year

Architects Hayhurst and Co, founded by lecturer Nick Hayhurst, have won the prestigious RIBA House of the Year 2023 for a house inspired by nature. 

The award, presented by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), recognises the best example of UK one-off house design.    

The winning house, Green House, in a conservation area in Tottenham, London, was praised by the jury as being airy, cosy and bold but also respectful of its neighbours. 

The RIBA House of the Year 2023 jury comprised: Dido Milne, Director of CSK Architects, Bev Dockray, co-founder of Coppin Dockray Architects, Jessam Al-Jawad, Director and co-founder of multi-disciplinary architecture studio Al-Jawad Pike and Albert Hill, co-founder of The Modern House and Inigo. 

Illustration of seagull and pavillion in Brighton

Join us at Create Your Future 2023

If you are thinking about studying a creative degree at uni, come along and have a chat to us on stand number 124 at the UCAS Create Your Future event in London today or tomorrow.

Event details: 10am – 3pm ExCeL London
https://www.ucas.com/events/create-your-future-london-2023-creative-career-showcase-434011

Watch this film to find out more about studying a creative degree at the University of Brighton:


Featured image credit: Abby French, Illustration BA(Hons) graduate @wetmug

Architecture and design awards 2023

Architecture and Design end of year show and awards

Architecture and Design hosted their End of Year Show in June, showcasing the talent of our school’s creative community. In the midst of a summer heatwave, the show attracted a remarkable turnout, demonstrating the ongoing importance of our Architecture and Design reputation.

Bringing together students from various design disciplines the show included students from BA(Hons) Architecture, MArch Architecture, BA(Hons) Interior Architecture, BSc(Hons) Product Design, MA Interior Design, MA Sustainable Design, and Architecture and Design Integrated Foundation courses. Each course presented a unique fusion of creativity, practicality, and innovative design principles, with every project showcasing outstanding vision and execution.

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