The Healthy Revolution
More than 50 years since its inception, the EDE’s expanding remit reflects new demands on buildings to deliver wellbeing.
While the UCL Institute of Environmental Design and Engineering (IEDE) was only established in 2014, the study of environmental design and engineering (EDE) is not new to The Bartlett, with a history dating back more than 50 years.
EDE developed out of the the dynamic cauldron of post-war Britain as the teaching of architecture expanded to include a wider range of environmental topics and a stronger academic base. Professor Richard Llewelyn-Davies first introduced Building Science at The Bartlett in 1960, but it wasn’t until 1965 that Professor Ralph Hopkinson was appointed the first Chair in EDE.
The MSc in Environment Design and Engineering was established in 1978, followed by the MSc in Light and Lighting in 1987 and then the MSc in Facility and Environment Management (FEM) in 1992. Alongside this burgeoning teaching programme, emphasis was put upon undertaking outstanding research, which culminated in the EPSRC Platform Grants (2006-2011 and 2011-2016) and the recognition of the world-leading status of the Complex Built Environment Systems group.
After reflecting on EDE’s history, where do things stand at present and what of the future? EDE Director, Professor Mike Davies, says: “Faced with the challenges of health, wellbeing, productivity, comfort, energy use and climate change, we continue to train the future leaders in the field.”
It’s a fact supported by the Royal Academy of Engineering recently awarding the title of ‘Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Design’ The Bartlett and Engineering faculties.
In September 2017, a new MSc in Health, Wellbeing and Sustainable Buildings will commence, reflecting increasing demands that buildings directly contribute to the health and wellbeing of the people who live, work and learn inside them. This healthy revolution comes as architects’ clients concern themselves with a building’s impact on the performance of the people who use it, eyeing potential productivity gains as well as health benefits.
Davies concludes: “As built environment practices and firms come to grips with new challenges and opportunities, our joined-up way of working with other specialists is increasing demand.”
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