On Wednesday 26th March, PLACED travelled up to Sedbergh to run a workshop in partnership with The Joanna Scott Foundation. We worked with 38 year 9s from Settlebeck School to present the built environment as a possible career option through fun and engaging activities, whilst also setting them a brief to respond to.
The session began with presentations from Ali Mudd, a former student of Settlebeck, now a fully qualified architect with Hyrd Architects and Bob O’Neil, a trustee from the Joanna Scott Foundation, who discussed the foundation’s bursaries for Cumbrian young people to study architecture.
The students were then set a brief to transform a car park into a vibrant pop-up market. We began by conducting a site analysis to evaluate the location and its potential challenges and opportunities. The analysis involves considering practical elements like pathways and accessibility, as well as sensory aspects such as the area’s atmosphere and sounds. Many of the young people were asking local vendors and customers what they would like to see if there market were to expand.
The session then shifted into brainstorming ideas for the market, encompassing aspects like the types of vendors, permanent and temporary structures, sustainability, health and wellbeing considerations and infrastructure. The student sketched out their initial designs, developed their concepts and created 3D models of their final proposals. To finish the session, each group communicated their vision for the pop-up market.
Huge thank you to Bob O’Neil (Joanna Scott Foundation), Ali Mudd (Hyrd Architects) and Sally Ingham (Settlebeck School) for their support and feedback on the young people’s ideas throughout the session!