The Bachelor of Architecture at the ATU will become Ireland’s newest architecture programme, situated on the edge of Ireland in The Atlantic Technological University. Our ideas of architecture have evolved over 20 years, seeking new territories of experimentation with place, and endeavouring to engage with the transformative role of architecture. Our aim is to stimulate social engagement and dialogue around the identity of the local region, redefining the genius loci of this place, at this time and into the future. Building on this legacy and acknowledging the energy specific to this place, our Architecture School aims to make a significant contribution to the region and beyond as it takes its place amongst the cultural legacy of Sligo and its distinctive wealth of creative history.
The challenges of the present demand a radical response to a future which demonstrates concern for both people and planet. This requires a deep understanding of place that tasks us all with the responsibility to innovatively respond to current and future local and global issues, relating to daily living needs while protecting our climate.
Our surroundings, both natural and manmade affect us as inhabitants and influence our ways of dwelling within them. …This view of architecture allows it to have impact beyond its physical relevance, interrogating concepts of creativity and identity, and resonating with current global issues of displacement and belonging.
(Art, Architecture and Place, 2015, p. 28)
We view architecture as addressing the practical and the poetic. Our projects develop from an intention to interrogate the layers that constitute a unique understanding of place – through its cultural fabric, history, topography, climate, urban morphology, and through its community possessing a unique pattern of memory and identity.
Architecture at ATU aims to encourage students to develop an understanding of and sensitivity to historical, contextual and cultural influences on the practice of design in a local, national, and global context. Just as poetry and music possess universality as well as an acutely personal sentiment, architecture provides another perspective into how we dwell, how we interact and how we seek meaning between ourselves and the world which surrounds us. We aim to build on our lineage recognizing the energy specific to this location on the edge of the Atlantic. Our philosophical approach to architecture centres on: Interpretation of Place, Regionally Transformative Architecture, Architectural Regeneration of our Built Heritage, and Human Experience and Perception of Space.
Interpretation of Place
Architecture at ATU draws on the existing genius loci of the north-west as an international hub of creativity, where projects, sited locally, nationally and internationally are considered from a social, environmental, historical, and cultural perspective.
Regionally Transformative Architecture
We embrace our role in the region as the educational centre supporting discourse and social engagement on the transformative role of architecture and exploring its relevance for future place making, facilitating active participation of people in realising the potential of their place. We seek to raise awareness of the transcendent possibilities of architecture beyond its physical relevance, interrogating concepts of creativity and identity, and resonating with current global issues aiming to stimulate both social engagement and dialogue around the identity and creative flux of the region at this time.
Architectural Regeneration of our Built Heritage
Architecture at ATU places an emphasis on reading and evaluating the existing context and imprint of place, and the impact these decisions and interventions have on the regeneration of place, using principles of environmental, social and cultural sustainability.
Human Experience and Perception of Space
Our projects focus on the intimate dialogue between the user and the space they inhabit emphasising the layered relationships between the user, function, site and the spatial experience of architecture.
Please visit www.yeatsacademy.com for examples of student work and more information
