Architecture Study Trip to Mexico

Unit 10 is an undergraduate design studio at The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL. We are planning a week-long field trip to Mexico in January 2024. The trip will provide our students with the wonderful opportunity to learn about Mexican culture, art, architecture, and construction methods. We need your help to make this a reality.

Who are UG10?

UG10 is made up of 12 students and is led by Pedro Gil (director of Studio Gil) and Neba Sere (co-director of Black Females in Architecture). Our students are from various backgrounds and places in the world. The studio focuses on expanding the curriculum by taking an interest in global majority environments, architects, pedagogies, cultural and social phenomena, and learning from these contexts as design inspiration for London.

UG10 Brief

Our students are embarking on a journey to envision alternative universes inspired by their personal interests and the demands of our changing world. These imaginative explorations delve into intriguing what-if scenarios, such as the resilience of the Aztec civilization amidst colonisation or the revitalization of Mexico City's historical floating farms within the contemporary urban landscape.

Why Mexico?

UG10 is interested in exploring non-western architectural discourse and highlighting global majority perspectives. Mexico is a rich and diverse country with a rich architectural heritage and we hope the trip will allow students to learn from indigenous cultures, construction methods and ways of thinking. After dedicating themselves to their design projects from afar, our students now have the opportunity to immerse themself in the vibrant culture and rich history of Mexico. They could gain firsthand insights and experiences that will undoubtedly shape their creative perspectives and leave an indelible mark on their lives.

Benefits for Architecture Education

• Expand the curriculum and architectural canon to include global majority territories

• Create space for underrepresented groups and ideologies in architecture and academia

• Set an important precedent that architecture has a social responsibility

Benefits for the Architecture Profession

• Empower and encourage students to think about their practice and its impact in the world

• Signal to students that they have an impact on how equitably people live in our cities

Funding

The university is covering £10,000 of the cost of the trip. UG10

is seeking an additional £8,000 from sponsors. So if we find 4 sponsors of £2000 each (or 8 sponsors of £1000) we are set to go! In any case, every little will help. If you are unable to donate, please share our campaign far and wide.

Timeline

October 2023: Speak to potential sponsors, campaign

November 2023: Raise £8,000 through a drawing auction event

December 2023: Plan itinerary, book travel & accommodation

January 2024: Field trip to Mexico City

Sponsors acknowledgement

We'd love to recognise your help by:

• Recognition on the Bartlett Summer show website and catalogue

• Sharing a dedicated pamphlet chronicling the Mexico field trip

• Invitation to internal student presentations

Thank you

Your support is crucial in making our field trip a reality, enriching the student experience, and helping us uphold architecture's social responsibility. With your contribution, we can empower our students to become spatial practitioners with a perspective that can effectively serve society's needs.