Exhibition with a Social Conscience

The final Degree Show at Edinburgh College of Art this year depicts the work of the Architecture and Landscape Architecture students. The Exhibition occupies the ground and first floors of the famous Sculpture Court in Lauriston Place. I was particularly impressed not only by the quality of exhibits but also by the clearly deep social issues being addressed by the students.

There is work depicting the revival of Leith Docks. The concept of Architecture and Urbanism is represented by this piece of work and the idea is to bring together a patchwork of linked themes of communities being rejoined. Carol Hayes has produced some very imaginative work and this project is particularly close to my heart as I serve on the Board of Edinburgh’s Telford College and we are deeply committed to regeneration of the whole of the north of the city.

This journey continues with an Intervention theme looking at the role of architecture and well-being, mental, physical and spiritual with images of Architecture coming together with literature and visual arts as well.

Scandinavia has an already enviable reputation for establishing strong links between hospital design and patient well being and recovery – in particular linked to recovery from depression and other mental illnesses and the blending of images of human anatomy together with drawings and models of how this might be achieved are particularly surprising. When I asked one of the students concerned with this work I was not surprised to learn this was where she came from.

The 4th year collaborative project which can be seen upstairs is an imaginative effort, supported by The Lighthouse in Glasgow and Scottish Waterways, to explore how Glasgow and Edinburgh might finally be conjoined, using the canal as a conduit for achieving a seamless merging of the two cities. The students were adamant that the small, often forgotten towns along the way should be included in any such major project. Many have tried over the years to bring about such cooperation and failed. I wish the students well and admire their ingenuity.

Note: The Exhibition at Edinburgh College of Art, Lauriston Place, Edinburgh EH3 9DF is open to the public from 10 am to 8 pm Monday to Thursday and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm. The Exhibition closes on Thursday 2 July.