The Application of Architectural Research to Practice, 1972

(and most architectural research falls into this category) requires large funds and means of providing staff with some longer term security and the possibility of a career. Fortunately, in architecture, research work is very often aimed at specific problems of a fairly practical nature especially that commissioned by an executive authority and the results may often be used to earn funds to bridge the gap between contracts at a later stage. Finance to support publishing of results, typing and secretarial assistance is another problem with some sponsored research projects. Until now ARU has through its practice been able to provide overheads of this nature, but with the fall-off of practice work this service is now in jeopardy. The department administration in the University is normally expected to supply secretarial assistance but in practice it is usually fully committed to teaching needs. Teaching It is in teaching that ARU has made the least progress. Although many members of staff are used for teaching (up to 10 in any one session), the contribution has tended to be unco-ordinated and not as useful to the students as it might be. The biggest demand for ARU help is normally in tutoring final year and postgraduate theses. The accumulated practical and research experience is now considerable and a more co-ordinated approach is under consideration, where the practice section of ARU would become the core of a consortium of practices to provide the equivalent of a teaching hospital. Continuity of work, continuity of staff and sufficient staff to cope, are again the main problems. The Chairman thanked Professor Robertson for his paper and a discussion took place. Discussion The main points made in the discussion are recorded below together with the names of participants associated with the points. Twenty years ago, although there was willingness in the local authority, the local architects' association objected to "live" projects for students. In setting up the research unit some years later, these objections were carefully observed and projects were arranged outside the city. ARU's activities have since never been restricted by narrow geographical limits. (Professor Matthew) It is necessary to work for authorities or clients (as in ARU's case at Salford to develop industrialised components) where the research and development expertise can meet the client's (Professor Johnson-Marshall) needs. The objections to a University based practice very often come from those practitioners who complain of students' lack of practical knowledge and experience. (Professor Hinton) Page eleven