Lead Department
Building and Civil Engineering – Architecture
Coordinated by
Eoghan Horgan (eoghan.horgan@mtu.ie)
Active Members
5
Purpose
The Architectural Materials Learning Community aims to establish an interdisciplinary staff-student community focused on the design, development, and maintenance of an architectural materials library within the Department of Architecture. This initiative will provide a shared resource for students and staff, allowing them to engage with real-world materials in a structured and interactive manner.
Key objectives include:
- Creating an extracurricular, collaborative learning space that bridges staff and student engagement.
- Facilitating hands-on exploration of materials, sustainability, and architectural design approaches.
- Developing governance structures for managing and curating the materials library.
- Encouraging interdisciplinary participation from across MTU.
- Engaging with industry and external partners to source, fabricate, and showcase materials.
Summary
The Architectural Materials Learning Community will operate through a horizontal, interdisciplinary governance model, allowing both staff and students to collaborate in managing the library. The materials library will be housed in the Architecture Factory, serving as a dynamic, evolving space for material exploration and integration into coursework.
Planned Activities for 2024-25:
- Workshops on Material Selection & Fabrication:
- Facilitated sessions to identify, catalogue, and organise materials in the library.
- Collaborations with external partners for material fabrication and procurement.
- Sustainable Materials Exploration:
- Research into reclaimed and eco-friendly materials for architectural education.
- Integration of circular economy principles in material usage.
- Interdisciplinary Student Projects:
- Providing materials and workspace for cross-programme design challenges.
- Supporting experimental material applications in student-led architectural prototypes.
- Community Engagement & Industry Partnerships:
- Developing relationships with local suppliers, industry professionals, and sustainability advocates.
- Hosting public exhibitions or showcases to highlight student work and innovative material applications.
Future Plans:
- Expanding participation to include students from engineering, design, and sustainability disciplines.
- Developing an interactive digital archive of material case studies.
- Piloting structured coursework integration with architecture modules.
- Exploring research opportunities in material innovation and sustainability.
This Learning Community will provide a long-term, evolving resource that enhances architectural education, fosters collaborative learning, and strengthens material literacy for students and staff.
