Building a better world

Did you know more than 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from buildings? In a bid to tackle this, sustainable architecture plays an important part in minimising the ecological impact of buildings, while enabling communities to thrive.

At Bath, we’re applying our expertise in architecture and civil engineering to develop solutions – from strengthening ageing concrete structures, to designing better shelters to improve living conditions for refugees in Jordan. Closer to home, our unique surroundings provide the opportunity to set the standard for sustainable heritage conservation and regenerative design.

“We use Bath as a teaching resource because we have over 5,000 listed buildings and historic landscapes,” says Professor Marion Harney from our Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, and Chair of the Bath World Heritage Site Advisory Board. “We should aspire for excellence in design. It should be so much more than functional, low maintenance and inoffensive, which is what could happen in the absence of good design guidance.”

A group of students around a table with wooden blocks smiling and listening to a teacher

Alumni and friends are creating opportunities for education and innovation in sustainable architecture

A collaboration between the University and Bath and North East Somerset Council (B&NES) aims to deliver just that. A generous £60,000 donation from the Medlock Charitable Trust will fund the city’s first Architect in Residence. The trust is led by Bath honorary graduate and entrepreneur David Medlock D.L., a longstanding supporter of the University and former Pro-Chancellor from 2003 to 2014. Our first endowed chair, the Medlock Chair in Engineering, was created in 2008 with a gift of £1 million. “The city and the University mean a great deal to me,” says David, who grew up here. “I’m proud to support this initiative, which will protect the Outstanding Universal Values of this double-inscribed World Heritage Site.”

Our Head of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Professor Andrew Heath, says: “It is a privilege to appoint award-winning and internationally renowned architect, Professor Bob Allies, as the first Architect in Residence, something that would not have been possible without this generous support.”

Marion adds: “For architects and developers, designing in Bath should be an invitation to excel, and Bob’s appointment will help us to achieve that.”

In this role, Bob will develop guidance to ensure design excellence in the city. He will also carry out research and teaching for our acclaimed architecture course, which is ranked top five in the UK league tables and in the top 100 QS World University Rankings by Subject.

To help create more opportunities for bright minds to benefit from a Bath education, BLDA Architects has generously pledged more than £50,000 to support three promising architecture students. The company established these scholarships in 2018, and this latest pledge includes enhanced pastoral support, including mentoring and the opportunity to undertake a placement with the firm.

Bath alumnus John Perry is Senior Director at BLDA. He also supports students through his personal philanthropy to Gold Scholarships. “My profession has provided me with great enjoyment and satisfaction, all due in no small part to my years at Bath,” says John. “The seven years needed to study architecture leads to a huge personal financial investment and I see it as important to do what little I can to help those who would otherwise be unable to study. I am delighted to be involved with the University in this small way.”

As the demand for green buildings grows, so does the need for fresh minds equipped with the knowledge and passion to drive this transformation. Thank you for furthering this important research and nurturing future talent.