Eat Chelsea: Food-themed Proposals at the AIA UK Student Charrette 2017

Students from the University of Portsmouth and University of Westminster working on a biblical collage for their proposal ‘Infinity Bread.’

On October 21st, 48 students descended upon Chelsea to participate in the annual AIA UK Student Charrette at the Roca London Gallery.  The students represented universities from across the UK: teams were assembled from University of Kent, University for the Creative Arts (UCA), Ravensbourne, University of Portsmouth, University of Westminster, Oxford Brookes University, and Robert Gordon University.  Student teams were paired with AIA members who mentored them during the day-long event.

The second University of Kent team, presenting their cronut proposal with delicious imagery.

This year’s brief drew inspiration from the history of the region and its home to the Chelsea bun. Teams were asked to consider a food or beverage and the architectural and urban implications of producing, consuming and disposing of their product.  Responses were diverse – and some quite extreme – from urban farms that produced edible vegetables, and edible insects, to an ‘infinity bread’ that granted 100 years of sleep to the rich while using the proceeds of production to throw a feast for the poor.  

The furthest travelled team, Robert Gordon University from Aberdeen, presenting their proposal for an urban farm that grows produce and insects as the future of food.

Following presentations to the jury, comprised of Stephan Reinke, FAIA, David Bromell, and Amrita Raja, the students and mentors enjoyed a relaxed drinks reception before the winner was announced.  The jury commended the Oxford Brookes / Robert Gordon team, mentored by Kevin Flanagan, for their project ‘Moo-vement,’ a ramped grazing plane for the local production of ingredients for the Chelsea bun, and awarded the grand prize to the University of Kent team, mentored by Bea Sennewald, who proposed a bread factory that worked with the local tide and created a 7-hour cycle of production, consumption and distribution.  Members of the winning team took home a lovely gift pack from our sponsors, which included the recent publication, MAD Works MAD Architects.

The winning team, University of Kent, their mentor, Bea Sennewald, and the jury, Stephan Reinke, FAIA, David Bromell, and Amrita Raja.

Many thanks to our sponsors, Roca and Laufen for their hospitality and support.  As always, the Roca Gallery was an inspiring place for the students to work, and this year’s Roca team did a spectacular job from assisting students with printing, to jumping in as an impromptu jury member!  Thanks also to our jury and mentors: Bea Sennewald, Alex Miller, Alex McMillan, Elizabeth Daily, Francis Hur, Lutz Barndt, Kevin Flanagan and Stephen Lawler. The students truly appreciated your insight and guidance.  And to the students who came from near and far – we hope you had a fun time, and look forward to seeing your classmates next year!

Written by: Amrita Raja, AIA

Image Credits to Barima Owusu Nyantekyi (https://www.barima.co)

Please click here to see more photos of the event.