Nottingham Trent University Architecture Students Explore Circular Design
Three days with architecture students
As part of Nottingham Trent University's BArch (Hons) Architecture course, Future Makers worked with first and second year students on the three day Vertical Project, sharing practical knowledge around recycled plastic, materials and environmental considerations.
The project brought together students from Years 1 and 2 around a live architectural brief, with Future Makers contributing through presentations, hands on making and a design clinic.
Nottingham Trent University architecture students gather beside the River Trent near the Quay and new Waterside Bridge during the Vertical Project.
From presentation to hands on making
The first day began with an introduction to Future Makers from Tristan, followed by a presentation from Tom Hughes, Senior Lecturer in Architecture introducing students to the Vertical Project and the architectural brief.
Students then visited the Bike Store at Trent Basin, part of the Igloo Regeneration development where Future Makers was commissioned to create the project.
Back at the studio, students got hands-on with recycled plastic, processing almost 450kg of recovered HIPS by removing the backing film from the sheets. The exercise gave students a practical understanding of the work involved in preparing recovered materials for reuse.
Developing ideas for the River Trent
On the second day, Future Makers joined students at Nottingham Trent University for a design clinic focused on the Vertical Project brief: developing a floating walkway linking the new Waterside Bridge with Trent Quays.
The proposal aimed to create a route along the River Trent, allowing people to walk along the river edge rather than through the surrounding industrial estate.
Student groups presented their ideas and received feedback on the environmental, material and practical considerations involved in developing them.
From ideas to exhibition
The final day brought the project together in an exhibition in the university atrium, where 27 student groups presented their concepts.
Around 160 students took part in the showcase and prize giving, bringing together the ideas and work developed throughout the three day project. Congratulations to everyone who tool part for their brilliant ideas and discussions.
Plastic Revolution
This project forms part of Future Makers' wider Plastic Revolution programme, connecting young people with practical experiences of plastic, recycling, reuse and material innovation.