Dr Constance Lau
I am an architect, lead and teach architecture from undergraduate to doctorate levels in London and at the National University of Singapore (NUS), for three decades. I am Director of Studies for the Techne Collaborative Doctoral Award (CDA) Studentship between the Zaha Hadid Foundation and UoW, examine and supervise PhDs and dissertations in both institutions, run an undergraduate design studio at UoW and a Masters level studio at NUS. I am a regular guest critic at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London. I am a member of the FHEA (Fellow of the Higher Education Academy) and the ARB (Architects Registration Board). I have been a practising architect for over a decade in both London and Singapore.
I completed my PhD by Design at the Bartlett School of Architecture, and studied at the Architecture Association School of Architecture and National University of Singapore. 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 kinds of, especially dialectical allegory to create multiple readings and interpretations in design work. Central to my teaching methodology is the role of dialogue with an emphasis on individual learning that encourages the student to assume authorship to shape the reading and outcome of the design brief, and challenge assumptions. Design practice through the combination of industry and academia reinforces the search for ideas through readings and the translation of these ideas into architectural proposals. This is most evident in 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
More importantly, I apply and continue my research through teaching, presenting at conferences, peer reviews, REF standard publishing, as well as and international conferences and workshops.
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 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.