Dr Constance Lau
I lead and teach architecture from undergraduate to doctorate levels in London and at the National University of Singapore (NUS). I examine and supervise PhDs, thesis and dissertations in both institutions as well as the Architecture Association (AA) and Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London (UCL) where I guest crit regularly. Additionally at UoW, I am Director of Studies for the Techne Collaborative Doctoral Award (CDA) Studentship between the Zaha Hadid Foundation (ZHF) and UoW, Doctoral Researcher Development Programme Coordinator, PhD by Design Practice Lead and, run an undergraduate design studio. At NUS, I am a member of the Thesis Advisory Committee, run a Masters studio, lead the London-NUS Special Elective module and am an External Examiner on the BA course.
I am a member of the Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), and a registered architect with the Architects Registration Board (ARB). I have been a practising architect for over a decade in both London and Singapore.
I completed my PhD by Design at the Bartlett and studied at the AA and NUS. My research interests concern architectural design in relation to narrative, multiple interpretations and archival research. These are explored through the techniques of montage and different notions of allegory from medieval to contemporary discussions of user-led dialectical participatory interpretations, to create multiple readings in design work. These theoretical frameworks are dually examined through design driven methods of writing practice. Central to my teaching methodology is the role of dialogue with an emphasis on individual learning that encourages the student to assume authorship, challenge assumptions and shape the reading and outcome of the design brief. Design is approached as an interdisciplinary practice that encourages the integration of ideas and working processes from different disciplines. These are evident in my research through REF standard publications, peer reviews, international conferences and workshops and, my studio’s design work in the book Dialogical Designs (2016).
https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/9zw6z/dialogical-...
Studio updates and ongoing work can be seen on instagram: @uow_ds3.3
As part of the Architectural Humanities Research Group in the Architecture School, my work is regularly presented and exhibited at conferences and symposiums. Research practice as mentioned, is also applied through examining and supervising PhDs, conducting MPhil to PhD transfer interviews, interviewing potential research candidates, REF standard publishing, peer reviews, and international conferences and workshops.
I also organize and run international exchange programs which include design related projects like the London Festival of Architecture; World Architecture Festival <https://www.worldarchitecturefestival.com/waf-student-charrette>;
and the RIBA project Polyark <http://www.architecture.com/RIBA/Becomeanarchitect/Oureducationalactivities/Polyark.aspx>
<http://www.bdonline.co.uk/introducing-polyport-%28polyark-iii%29/5045016.article>
<http://london.eventful.com/events/polyark-supermegacrit-2018-/E0-001-114498676-3>
Talks and presentations by international award-winning architects and architectural practices are organized to coincide with these events. European and international study trips are integrated in my studio design teaching methodology.