Satwinder Samra

Senior University Teacher

s.samra@sheffield.ac.uk

+44 114 222 0316

+44 114 222 0315 (fax)

Satwinder Samra

BA(Hons) DipArch(Dist) PFHEA RIBA

I am an architect, educator and broadcaster. 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-you-learn Part 2 Masters. My MArch studio teaching has focused on Ageing and Intergenerational Architecture, and now explores Networks of Resourceful 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 and influence beyond was recognised by a University Senate Award (2011) for Sustained Excellence and more recently by the Higher Education Academy awarding a PFHEA (2024).

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

I currently support leading architectural practices as an advisor, collaborator and consultant. 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.

My work as a presenter, host and broadcaster includes BAFTA award-winning CBBC programme The Dengineers, Grand Designs Live, and hosting the RIBA Building Stories Stephen Lawrence Prize, Archisource Annual Awards and RIBA London Awards. All my work promotes inclusion and diversity, ultimately aiming to make architecture accessible for all.

Equal access to architecture

Open City 'Working Class Heroes', September 2023

This Accelerate Debate, speakers will celebrated a working class hero of theirs who deserves to be better known and celebrated in the industry. Presentations and debate from working class designers discussing the wider question of class in architecture. "Many thanks to you! The debate was fantastic and so was your contribution to the panel." Siraaj Mitha, Director of Accelerate Event, EDI, Satwinder Samra

Equal access to architecture

Collaborative Practice: Designing, Communicating and Diversifying Architecture, September 2023

Key Note Lecture 'Collaborative Practice: Designing, Communicating and Diversifying Architecture. Lecture describing how to improve accessibility to architecture though the design of practice based models, better mediation and improving technology enhanced learning. "An excellent and inspiring talk this morning from Keynote speaker Satwinder Samra. I was privileged to have one of my questions answered which resulted in some great advice." Liz Walkden Learning Technologist Lancaster University"If you want a really great keynote to watch this weekend, personal recommendation is ALTC 23 by Satwinder Samra" Santanu Vasant Head of Education Development and Digital Education, London Metropolitan UniversityPresentation, Digital Learning, Pedagogy, Satwinder Samra

www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15710882.2023.2268596

Co-production

Co-designing a housing and livelihood toolkit with low-income older people for future housing in Klong Toey, Bangkok, Thailand, August 2023

The purpose of this article is to examine the co-design process of a research project which was implemented to support an initiative led by low-income older people in Klong Toey, Bangkok. The primary objective was to co-produce a design toolkit that can guide the development of live–work housing for low-income older people in Klong."Many congratulations on this publication. Thank you all for your support." Prof. Karim Hadjri SSoA Journal Article, EDI, Placemaking, Satwinder Samra

Charitable work

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. Value: £100,000.Journal Article, Climate Emergency, Participation, Satwinder Samra

Interview

Cities of the future: Where will we live? 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, thank you so much again for your time." Sarah Divall HubBub UKFilm, Climate Emergency, Participation, Placemaking, Satwinder Samra

Research-led teaching at SSoA

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

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

Astragal: A miniature doughy metropolisTo Somerset House for the Museum of Architecture’s Gingerbread City 2019, where more than 100 architects have come together to make a miniature doughy metropolis (masterplanned by Tibbalds).

Gingerbread city

Judge for Gingerbread 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 Architecturehttps://museumofarchitecture.org/for-the-public/exhibitions/Event, EDI, History and Representation, Satwinder Samra

Panel chair

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. Event, EDI, History and Representation, Satwinder Samra

"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 Memorial Lecture 2019: Connecting People and PlaceWe are delighted to invite you to the 19th annual Stephen Lawrence Memorial Lecture to help raise vital funds for the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust,

Charitable work

Stephen Lawrence Memorial Lecture, September 2019

Guest speaker and Panelist at the 19th annual Stephen Lawrence Memorial Lecture.Event, EDI, History and Representation, Satwinder Samra

Research-led teaching at SSoA

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

Love Among the Ruins review – beauty and brilliance on the high-rises of Sheffield

Debate chair

Experiments in Living, 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

"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

RIBA and ABS Wellbeing research

Mental Health Forum, October 2018

Forum discussing mental health and well being at SSoA. Feedback made as 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, RIBA Equality, Diversity and Inclusion ManagerEvent, Digital learning, Pedagogy, Participation, Satwinder Samra and Catherine Skelcher

Interview

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

BBC interview

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

Teaching approaches

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

090118samraLTconference .pdf

UoS Learning and Teaching Conference

MArch Collaborative Practice, 2018

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

Student wellbeing

Let's talk mental Health, October 2017

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

Research-led teaching at SSoA

Design Investigation, Design Illustration and Design Intervention, 2017

‘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

The Dengineers - Series 5: 12. Bug DenTwins Becca and Lottie need a den so they can enjoy wildlife and bugs together.

Architectural broadcasting

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 ProducerTV Show, EDI, History and Representation, Participation, 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

All together now_ how to build a social campus _ Higher Education Network _ The Guardian.pdf

Student wellbeing

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

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

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