7 May 2009

Exhibition of University architects' work

An exhibition of designs by architecture staff from the University of Dundee, including an award-nominated house in Perthshire, will help mark the 125th anniversary of the Dundee Institute of Architects.

To coincide with the DIA’s anniversary, the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland’s 2009 Convention will be held in Dundee between Thursday, May 14, and Saturday, May 16.

As part of these celebrations, a 'Landworkers Collaborative' exhibition will be held at the Visual Research Centre at Dundee Contemporary Arts to open the Convention. Landworkers combines exhibited work from members of the University’s School of Architecture and Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.

The five case studies exhibited will demonstrate current examples of the application of inter-disciplinary and community collaboration in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Each case study represents community/client involvement in design and realisation, and the work will be displayed via drawings, models, PowerPoint and video loop.

Drummond House, near Meigle, was designed by Graeme Hutton, dean of the Dundee School of Architecture and an associate of Dundee firm of LJRH Chartered Architects, and his late colleague David Jamieson. Mr Hutton will discuss the design of the building, affectionately known as 'the shed', at the opening of the exhibition.

Owner Peter Drummond used the energy-efficient plans for the self-build property, which was designed to fit in with the surrounding landscape, and the property was subsequently nominated for several design awards.

The exhibition will follow a symposium held by the University’s Geddes Institute at which invited speakers and the exhibition participants will investigate key issues in contemporary architecture, and runs until Friday, May 29.

The 2009 Convention’s main plenary session - entitled Making It Abroad - takes place at the Caird Hall on Friday, May 15, and features a range of world class Scottish architects and artists with experience of working overseas.

The Saturday programme will see delegates take part in tours that will give new insights to the richness of Dundee’s built heritage, before visiting the rugged charms of the East Neuk’s coastal villages

Reservations can be made by contacting the RIAS Events Team on 0131 229 7545. Further information about the Landworkers Collaborative is available by visiting http://www.dundee.ac.uk/geddesinstitute/landworkers.htm.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk