Architectural Design and Global Difference (ADGD)
The Architectural Design and Global Difference (ADGD) Centre is interested in the influence of current global conditions in architectural design education, theory and practice. Its investigation covers a wide range of disciplines such as globalisation and transculturalisation, individual ideology and context, emerging technologies, technology transfer and educational issues.
The ADGD research centre tries to bridge the distance between different research groups across Nottingham Trent University and creates productive links and research networks, nationally and internationally. We actively welcome opportunities of collaboration with research partners and encourage postgraduate students from all countries and cultures to study with our group.
Several research projects are currently developing. Alina Hughes and Tom Hughes are currently developing their design for the Sky Vault East Midlands landmark as part of the design practice 2hD. The project aims to enhance the East Midlands' regional identity.
Tom Hughes has recently completed a survey of English attitudes to new ways of building homes in steel. The survey results are now available.
Michelle Pepin's research work "Spaces of Identity: Shelter and Conflict Resolution" articulates a tenet which acknowledges and describes the full complexity of the human need for shelter. Her enduring concern and commitment to engaging with issues of peace and conflict, specifically with regard to identity, human need and human shelter, continues to underpin all the research she undertakes.
Another project within ADGD is the street performance "Sisyphus" carried out by Guillermo Garma and Teresa Olmos. The performance is based on the ideas of a dynamic exploration of the city and the transgression of the boundary author-spectator.
Current work
Sky Vault: Representation and public interaction case study - Alina Hughes (Nottingham Trent University)
This paper is based on the representation of a public art project made accessible to the general public and the responses this provoked. Taking a dual position, as both co-author of the project and critic of its manifestations to the public, the writer aims to exploit her direct involvement in order to explore the relationship between the aim and nature of the project's representation and the public response to these, as perceived by the designers.
Academic Staff
Helen Beswick, Guillermo Garma Montiel, Dr Michelle Pepin, Dr Tom Hughes, Alina Hughes, Dr Marisela Mendoza, Dr Ana Souto, Lindsay Purssord and Professor Soumyen Bandyopadhyay.
