Ms Aoife Donnelly

About

A registered Architect and Educator based in London, I am currently Course Leader for the MArch Architecture programme and also lead Masters Design Unit 3 Modern Nature. I have previously been interim Head of Dept.

I have lead year 2 of the BA Architecture programme, 3rd year Design Studio 'Contemporary Rural II, Stories of the Territory', the Making strand & live build agenda at 1st Year, Master's Designate: 'Palimpsest, Narrative Environments'. 

I have taught at various architecture schools at MA and BA levels including KADK Copenhagen and the University of Brighton. I studied at the Dublin School of Architecture and UP6 Paris, La Villette, completing my Part 3 studies at UCD/ RIAI.

My research and practice focus on the generation of sensitive, situated and carefully composed projects, often participatory processes that engage with questions around the democracy of place/ space and value the experience of the user.

Research projects include: Currently working on proposals for the reimagining of a Maternity Centre in rural Malawi with the NGO African Vision. The project is focussed on the creation of a humane built environment situated within a permaculture educational landscape, and exploits natural building & local vernacular techniques.

'A Seat at the Table', part of a Whitechapel Gallery residency, a series of collaborative workshops with primary school children engaging with the theme of agency over the built environment through making and supporting public participation in shaping the city. This lead to a symposium and exhibition of project outputs with artist Nils Norman, dancer/ choreographer Adesola Akinleye, academic and writer Catherine Burke, researcher Sol Perez Martinez, with a publication pending.                                                                                            

Bauhaus Centenary programme presentation at Nottingham Contemporary 'Architectures of Education' conference, authoring a subsequent E-FLUX publication titled the 'The Democratic Design of David and Mary Medd', ongoing involvement with Teatrum Mundi, questioning urban and design politics and playful engagement with the city.

'Croydon Urban Room', collaboration with Croydon Placemaking Team. Drawing on the model developed by Colin Ward, an exhibition capturing the voices of young people in Croydon within the NEET bracket through a series of interviews, regarding proposed large scale urban development.

'Behind the façade' revisiting London Mayors Regeneration High Street Fund. Our study focused on the instant regeneration schemes meet the independent structures of the high street, whilst comparing and reflecting on different delivery strategies and project outputs and explored personal stories surrounding the relationship between funders, designers and traders.