Caribbean School of Architecture urban study visit to London

The group of 13 students from University of Technology (UTech) Kingston, Jamaica, spent an intense fortnight conducting fieldwork and archive research in the City of London, with a view to developing a detailed urban analysis focused on the historical evolution of the Square Mile’s morphology and inhabitation since Roman times, its public spaces, and urban landmarks.

Generous and invaluable input was provided by architectural historian Peter Guillery (UCL Survey of London), who led a walking tour of the City’s historic churches, with added input on post-war and contemporary development from Clare Melhuish and Jordan Rowe. Conservationist Dean Sully from the Institute of Archaeology co-ordinated a fascinating visit to the archaeological remains of the Billingsgate Roman Bath House on Lower Thames Street, hosted by Howard Benge; and Kay Richardson, IoA doctoral candidate and landscape architect for Historic England South-East Region, hosted a visit to Historic England’s offices and talk on London Bridge by London Region’s David English.

The students presented work in progress at an interim crit attended by Barbara Campbell Lange (BSA) and Giorgio Talocci (DPU) before the final presentation and exhibition of work at the Jamaican High Commission which concluded their visit. We look forward to collaborating on future exchange and a return visit to Kingston by UCL students next year.