Architecture students collaborate with Canterbury Cathedral

Canterbury Cathedral has begun a new collaboration with the University for the Creative Arts (UCA).

First and second year students from the School of Architecture at UCA Canterbury have been given unique access to the historic location to learn more about the design and structure of the world-famous Cathedral.

emporary exhibitions of their work have already started to go on display in the Cloisters.

BA (Hons) Interior Architecture & Design course leader, Lara Rettondini, said: “We have one of the best examples of architecture in the world on our doorstep that will really benefit our students.

“We are using the Cathedral as a learning tool – surveying and drawing it helps develop the skills needed to design very complex, detailed buildings and allows us to teach students the history of architecture at the same time.

“The temporary exhibitions are a fantastic opportunity for them to exhibit their work in a national venue before they’ve graduated.”

The first exhibition featured a unique set of cardboard structures by second year Interior Architecture & Design students.

They worked in teams to study, record and analyse the Cloisters of Canterbury Cathedral to design a site-specific cardboard object which explored the relationship between its structure, function and aesthetics.

Lara said: “The cardboard objects sought to promote an appreciation of the Cloisters’ qualities and make them enjoyable for visitors by enhancing their individual experience.

An exhibition of technical drawings of the Cathedral by first year BA (Hons) Architecture and BA (Hons) Interior Architecture & Design students is planned for 2013.

Heather Newton, Head of Stonemasonry & Conservation at Canterbury Cathedral, said: “We’re really excited to work alongside the students at UCA – it’s a mutually beneficial relationship.

“We enjoy having the students visit and I have been forced to stop and reflect deeply on some of the interesting and searching questions they have put to me.

“The work they produce often has a novel twist and makes me and visitors to the Cathedral look at the building differently, which is fantastic.”