Satwinder Samra

Senior University Teacher

s.samra@sheffield.ac.uk

+44 114 222 0316

+44 114 222 0315 (fax)

I am an Architect and Educator. Currently Director of Collaborative Practice and a Senior University Teacher at the Sheffield School of Architecture, I am developing initiatives that encourage new relationships between architectural practice, academia and industry.

I am currently lead on ‘Collaborative Practice’ a new MArch programme which is an innovative earn as your learn Part 2 Masters. My MArch studio teaching focuses on Ageing and Intergenerational Architecture.

Previously in the School I was Director of Y3 (2000-2010), Director of MArch (2011-2013), Director of Undergraduate Studies (2009-2011) and Lead on Y2/Y3 Construction (1998-2010).

I helped to deliver 3 successful RIBA visiting boards and many of my students have gone on to influential roles in leading UK and International practices. My work in the school was recognised by a University Senate Award (2011) for Sustained Excellence.

I trained at the School and graduated with a First Class Honours (1991) and a Distinction at Part 2 (1994). My student work was exhibited at the RIBA Presidents Medals and at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.

I began my practice career with Urban Splash (1994) where I worked on award winning projects including Concert Square in Liverpool, Sally’s Yard, Smithfield Buildings and Trafford Park in Manchester.

I then moved to Proctor Matthews to focus on social housing projects such as the regeneration of the Stonebridge Estate, North West London. I then co-founded Sauce Architecture (1998-2013).

I currently support leading architectural practices as an advisor and collaborator. Recent highlights include competition entries for the New Irish Embassy, Tokyo and the New School of Architecture in Aarhus, Denmark with William Matthews Associates.

I have written for Guardian Higher Online, Architects Journal and Chinese Journal of Architecture and Urbanism. Monocle Radio 24, Times of India, The Statesman India and RIBA Publishing have interviewed me about my work and activities.

I have guest lectured, reviewed and external examined at a number of leading institutions including Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), Bergen SOA Norway and Royal College of Art London. I am also an onscreen Designer with ‘The Degineers’ on CBBC, an RIBA Role Model and Trustee of S1 Artspace.

All my work promotes inclusion and diversity, ultimately aiming to make architecture accessible for all.

Protecting the livelihood of vulnerable residents in Klong Toey, Bangkok, Thailand - July 2020-July, 2021

AHRC GCRF urgency grant in collaboration with our alumni at Kasetsart University in Thailand. "Protecting the livelihood of vulnerable residents in Klong Toey, Bangkok, Thailand ."Value: £100k.
Journal Article, Climate Emergency, Participation, Satwinder Samra

Cities of the future: Where will we live? | Hubbub Investigates - January, 2020

Cities of the Future: Where will we live. Interviewed by HubBub Uk along with Marcus Fairs Dezeen.
"The interview has come out really well, thanks so much again for your time" -Sarah Divall HubBub Uk
Film, Climate Emergency, Participation, Placemaking, Satwinder Samra

‘Everyday Reflexivity, Tacit Dimension and Contemporary Relevance: research-led teaching in Master’s written dissertation at the Sheffield School of Architecture - 2020

XRSS_.pdf
‘Everyday Reflexivity, Tacit Dimension and Contemporary Relevance: research-led teaching in Master’s written dissertation at the Sheffield School of Architecture’, Contemporary Architecture
Journal Article, EDI, History and Representation, Satwinder Samra

Standing at the Sky’s Edge: the Stories Behind the Park Hill Musical - October, 2019

Standing at the Sky’s Edge: the Stories Behind the Park Hill Musical Charing discussion with Chris Bush, Sarah Wigglesworth and Jeremy Till.
Evening event at Crucible Theatre. Exploring the musical development and depiction of Park Hill flats and associated histories.
'Just a short note to say thank you for taking part in Sheffield Modern this year. We had around 1700 people through the doors of our events this weekend which is double the number for last year so we’re over the moon. Your hosting skills were fantastic, as ever!' -Claire Thornley Sheffield Modern
Event, EDI, History and Representation

"Just a short note to say thank you for taking part in Sheffield Modern this year. We had around 1700 people through the doors of our events this weekend which is double the number for last year so we’re over the moon. Your hosting skills were fantastic, as ever!"

Claire Thornley Sheffield Modern

Stephen Lawrence 19th Annual Memorial Lecture - September, 2019

Guest speaker and Panelist.
Event, EDI, History and Representation

The Ordinary Field and Tacit Dimension in Written-based Dissertation at School of Architecture - January, 2019

This work-in-process paper presents the strange necessity and strategic role of dissertation writing within professional architectural education in the UK, through analysing two selected M.Arch dissertations from Sheffield School of Architecture. The paper proposes an alternative direction for the written-based dissertation project which links research at Master’s level back to the ordinary field of architectural profession and pedagogy, and engages with more down-to-earth, cross-disciplinary, and tacit issues and dimensions in architecture.
This will build upon the previous paper by Ren, Kiang and Samra ‘Design Investigation, Design Illustatration and Design Intervention in Reserch Led Design’, published in Urban and Architecture Magazine Sept 2017. Authors already have commitment from this journal for publication of new output.
Journal Article, EDI, Pedagogy, Satwinder Samra

Judge for Ginger Bread City - December, 2019

The Gingerbread City® 2019 was in the Lancaster Rooms at Somerset House and brought together over 100 architects, designers and engineers to create an entire city made of gingerbread and sweets. The masterplan developed by Tibbalds Planning and Urban Design explored the theme: 'The Future of Transport'. ​
"Our big thank you to all the visitors and participants for making this exhibition a success! Over 31,000 visited and more than 10,000 votes were cast during the Gingerbread City 2019 exhibition at the Somerset House." -Melissa Woodford Director Museum of Architecture
Event, EDI, History and Representation, Satwinder Samra

"Thank you so much for participating on the panel at the Sheffield event last Wednesday evening. I understand we’ve had some excellent feedback already. People found it really informative and interesting and there was good engagement from those that attended."

-Melissa Woodford Director Museum of Architecture

CBBC ‘The Dengineers’ BAFTA winner, 2016-present

The Dengineers is a CBBC TV where children build their very own dream den. Satwinder works as on screen designer with the children to both design and build their unique creations. Two 28 min TV shows to be broadcast on CBBC and BBC2.
"I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU for all of your help, hard work and AMAZING dens on The Dengineers this year! I have watched all of your episodes, thoroughly enjoyed them and am so happy and impressed that we have managed to raise the bar even higher, on this series!" -Annette Williams Genre Lead Factual Formats BBC
"A massive thank you for another wonderful bunch of dens. And also a sincere, personal thank you for being so fantastic to work with over these last few series. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with you both, getting to know you and particularly watching you work – I’ve learned a lot" -Jennifer Morrison Series Producer
TV Show, EDI, History and Representation, Participation, Satwinder Samra

Mental Health debate with RIBA + ABS - October, 2018

Forum discussing mental health and well being at SSoA. Feedback made part of ongoing research for RIBA and ABS.
"Thank you so much for participating on the panel at the Sheffield event last Wednesday evening. I understand we’ve had some excellent feedback already. People found it really informative and interesting and there was good engagement from those that attended. We are pulling a student well-being forum together to address the issues addressed at last week’s event and continue to support the work the RIBA and ABS will be doing next year around student mental health." -Anne Cosentino Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager RIBA
Event, Digital learning, Pedagogy, Participation, Satwinder Samra and Catherine Skelcher

Experiments in Living Debate Chair - September, 2018

Debate as part of ‘Love amongst the Ruins. A romance of the Near Future’ organised by S1 Art space. Speakers included Lyndsay Hanley and Elaine Harwood.
Event, EDI, History and Representation, Satwinder Samra

"I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU for all of your help, hard work and AMAZING dens on The Dengineers this year!"

Annette Williams Genre Lead Factual Formats BBC

How power of communities can break the Broken Windows effect with HubBub UK - June 2018

Interviewed as Architectural Expert discussing the role of design in developing communities.
"Thanks so much for the interview today – it was fantastic!" -Sarah Divall HubBub Uk
Film, EDI, Participation, Placemaking, Satwinder Samra

Interview about the Arts Tower and the Paternoster lift - February, 2018

Speaking as architectural expert for BBC Look North feature. Interviewed by Mark Ansell.
Event, EDI, History and Representation, Satwinder Samra

Inspirational Academics - January, 2018

How to be an inspirational academic: Satwinder Samra describes his teaching approach at at Sheffield University.
Film, EDI, Pedagogy, Placemaking, Satwinder Samra

Learning + Teaching Conference - 2018

090118samraLTconference .pdf
Presented at Learning and Teaching Conference in 2018.
Event, Presentation, EDI, Pedagogy, Participation

'Lets talk mental Health' part of work mental health day - October, 2017

Guest speaker at RIBA London. Other speakers included Robert Ball ABS, Emmanuel Owusu Ingelton Wood.
Event, Digital learning, Pedagogy, Participation, Satwinder Samra

Design Investigation, Design Illustration and Design Intervention: Research-led Teaching in M.Arch at the Sheffield School of Architecture - 2017

UrbanismandArchitecture_Publication_XRJKSS.pdf
‘Design Investigation, Design Illustration and Design Intervention: Research-led Teaching in M.Arch at the Sheffield School of Architecture’, Urbanism and Architecture, No.261, pp.18-23.
Journal Article, EDI, Pedagogy, History and Representation, Satwinder Samra

All together now: how to build a social campus - December, 2015

All together now_ how to build a social campus _ Higher Education Network _ The Guardian.pdf
University campuses are intended as social spaces, yet their design often sends out the opposite message. Designers go for unusual shapes in an attempt to portray youth and vibrancy, but these can result in oddly proportioned spaces that are difficult to use. Bright colours, liberally splashed about to make areas seem lively, can feel jarring, and soon date.
Outdoor spaces can be just as problematic: think of all those walkways and squares across which students and staff march on their way somewhere else. Many are devoid of communal activity, overshadowed by buildings and lacking greenery. When budgets are tight, this is an area that often suffers.
For a social space to function well, the inside and the outside need to be considered together during the design and subsequent use. So how can we create truly social campuses?
Journal Article, EDI, Pedagogy, Participation, Building Performance, Satwinder Samra