Gemma Barton

My guiding intention as an educator is to facilitate learning that enables students to go out into the world, and define creative disciplines.

Since 2005 I have been teaching and developing excellence in the next generation of architects and interior architects, at the University of Brighton since 2010 where (August 2015) I took on leadership of the BA (Hons) Interior Architecture (BAIA) course. I have since re-designed the curricula, pedagogic strategies and course identity.

“Teaching is even more difficult than learning because what teaching calls for is this: to let learn.” (Heidegger, 1968)

I learnt this lesson in my first teaching post in 2006. Just months after completing my Masters in Architecture, Nottingham University, I was invited back to run a Level 4 design studio (25 students following the same design brief). I’d had experience as a teaching assistant during my postgrad so the practices and surroundings were familiar. However, being responsible for 25 students was definitely new. I knew if I was to gain their respect and commitment to learning I had to approach my time with them creatively, using what was in my limited tool-belt. I focused on developing an honest and approachable relationship supporting their individual learning needs whilst encouraging them to be confident in their abilities: an approach I still prioritise 12 years later. A strong foundation is so important in level 4, and much of this, in creative disciplines, comes from a place of confidence and care. I believe the role of the teacher is to facilitate learning, and sometimes that facilitation isn’t about imparting knowledge directly but is rather about providing a safe, caring and confidence-inducing environment. 

My pedagogic model, ‘experimental realism’ (for which I was awarded an National Teaching Fellowship in 2019) explores cinematic storytelling and ficto-critical approaches to imagined environments absorbing the extremes of fact-as-truth and untested-fiction as fuel for fantastic yet grounded speculative content. Acting in the midst of uncertainty, developing the life skills to imagine alternatives, to plan for eventualities, and therefore be a better more informed designer, for human centred spaces and experiences. 

As an author and academic, I have taught and published on the subjects of

• speculative (spatial) design
• design fictions + futures
• experimental pedagogy
• gender + feminism
• film + spatial production
• narrative + story telling
• reality + representation
• career + enterprise
• academia + teaching
• interiors + architecture 

All directly informing my approach to teaching and learning, centring around inspiring students to develop their potential.

Exhibitions.

MOCCA - Museum Contempory Art Canada Exhibition, October 2014, Toronto.

Exhibtion title: ‘To Be Destroyed’

Work title: Movable Feast

Tate Britain Exhibition: Tiny Tate, Nov 2012.

Work Title: SCAN.IT 

Publication.

Computer Arts Magazine, Vol 253, May 2016

Issue theme ‘Becoming a Creative Entreprenuer’ inspired by my book ‘Don’t get a Job… Make a Job’ includes an interview with myself.

Research Matters

Brighton University Centre for Research and Development, Sept 2015

Building Design, August 2015. Book Review.

FORTY WAYS TO THINK ABOUT ARCHITECTURE.

Building Design, March 2015. Book Review.

EDUCATING ARCHITECTS: How tomorrows architects will learn today. (Neil Spiller, Nic Clear)

Architects Journal, Feb 2015

Article Title: 'Universities are not in the business of producing faster horses'

Architecture-Education Podcast

Feb 2015. Episode 3

Future of Architectural Education, producer James Benedict-Brown

Blueprint Magazine, Sept 2014

LISTEN: Interior Architecture

Fulcrum, Architectural Association publication

Nov 2103

‘Diversify or Die’ – an analysis of the ‘alternative.’

Blueprint Magazine, Jan 2013.

‘The Name Game’ – a history and analysis of the ‘naming process’ of architects’ practices, interviews with FAT, AOC, UNSTUDIO

MARK Magazine, Nov 2012.

Slide, an analysis of the reasons behind and benefits of slide applications in buildings.

Editorships.

Charette, Journal of the Association of Architectural Educators (AAE).

Vol. 3 issue 2 Oct 2017. Journal Topic: 0 hours - the role and impact of ‘transient’ teachers in architectural education.

Project Orange Architects practice-based research journal. October 2016

Title: PO Box 3 – Housing, House, Home.

EDGEcondition, co-founding editor of online bi-monthly architecture journal interrogating the vocation and activity of those positioned on the periphery of formal architecture. 2013-14

Vol. 1 – The Seams

Vol.2 – Presenting Architecture

Vol.3 – Art & Architecture

Vol.4 – Teaching the Future

Vol.5 – Placemaking

Vol.6 – Heritage

Public lectures/appearances.

Chair - TWINS talks, curated by Prof Robert Mull & Charles Holland. Jan-March 2017

Dead Centre  /  Rural Futurism  /  Lost & Found /  Marginal Activity  /  Edge of Empire

Bartlett School of Architecture, Dec 2016

Professional Studies Lecture: Don’t Get a Job… Make a Job

Brighton Digital Festival (Wired Sussex) Sept 2016

Creative, Digital and IT Open Studios. Lecture: Don’t Get a Job… Make a Job

D&AD New Blood, London, July 2016

Lecture: Don’t Get a Job… Make a Job & Book signing

Young Creative Council, Soho, London, May 2016

Lecture: Don’t Get a Job… Make a Job & Book signing

Camberwell College of Art, London, May 2016

Lecture: Don’t Get a Job… Make a Job

Portsmouth School of Architecture, April 2016

Lecture: Don’t Get a Job… Make a Job

Design Museum, London, March 2016

Presentation & Panel. Title: Tomorrow’s Designers

Royal College of Art, London, Feb 2016

Lecture: Inhabitation and Deception

The Architecture Foundation, London, Nov 2014

Presentation & Panel alongside Neil Spiller, Robert Mull and Peter Clegg.

Title: Future of architectural education

Leeds Met University, April 2014

‘Inside Out Lecture Series’  

Lecture: Narrative in Design

Competiton Jury.

Blueprint Magazine Jury member 2015 Graduates: Blueprint’s Ones to Watch, Sept/Oct

Architizer Awards Invited judge: Architizer A+ Awards, March 2013-17

Society British Interior Designers Invited Judge: SBID Awards, Technical Judge, Sept 2013

Philips Liveable Cities Invited judge: Philips Liveable Ctites competition and round table event, Dec 2012, London