HCI Resilient Design Curricula

The Resilient Design Curricula for 21st Century Professionals project is piloting radical revision in architectural education to prioritise United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030 Climate Action (SDG 13.3) and Sustainable Housing (SDG 11.1), and the aligned Irish government policies of the Climate Action Plan and Housing for All. The project partners comprise all 6 schools of Architecture in the Republic of Ireland, Technological University Dublin (project lead), Atlantic Technological University, the Cork Centre for Architectural Education (a joint venture of Munster Technological University and University College Cork), South East Technological University, University College Dublin and the University of Limerick.

In working to engender the knowledge and skills necessary for architects to respond to the twin challenges of the climate and housing crises, an overarching goal is to refocus architecture programme curriculum towards a sustainability focus. Our project methodology incorporates agile models of co-operation, collaboration, and co-learning with our students and staff, and meaningful engagement and collaboration and with the profession, industry and the community.

On the path to achieving our overarching goal of a reimagined architecture education with the sustainability focus at its core, the project has a number
of strands, including architecture design studio pilots with our students, a critical needs analysis with all of our stakeholders, and a continuing professional development programme which plays a central role through the upskilling of staff to contribute to the formation and delivery of the Resilient Curriculum and through upgrading the skills and qualifications of graduates, practicing architects, and others.