On Saturday, the 25th April 2009, the Social Mobility Foundation held an insightful, inspirational and aspiration-building ‘Architecture Futures Day’. A small group of Mentees and Mentors from the Architecture e-Mentoring programme met each other in London for an event made possible with the support of Child Graddon Lewis Architects & Designers.

This event was the first of its kind within our e-Mentoring programme, and we hope to repeat the success of this face-to-face encounter with other strands within our 5 e-Mentoring programmes.

The day itself was primarily intended to build on Mentees’ aspirations to pursue a career in Architecture. Not only did it serve to cement Mentor-Mentee relations, but also provided an informal platform where a number of highly established architects could share their knowledge and experience with the Mentees present.

The day began at the Barbican Centre with a visit to ‘Le Corbusier - the Art of Architecture‘ - the first major London exhibition of the internationally renowned architect in more than 20 years. Mentor and Mentees paired off to explore the wealth of original architectural models, interior reconstructions, furniture, vintage photographs and paintings on display.

CGL Director Michael Lewis led an extended walking tour from the Barbican Centre to the CGL practice which allowed the Mentees – the majority from outside London, to take in a number of artistic and architectural representations such as Richard Serra’s ‘Fulcrum’ Steel Sculpture, 18th century Christ Church designed by Wren’s contemporary Hawksmoor and the Bishops Square development by Foster+Partners.

Following lunch at the CGL architecture firm, the Mentees enjoyed an enlightening talk by CGL Director Lesley Bell, who made a dynamic presentation on the end-to-end process of a housing development project. Lesley then set the Mentees the task of designing a living space for a wheelchair-bound resident, for which the students brainstormed in a group and produced many intuitive and shrewd ideas.

Oonagh Crotty, a Masters student at Westminster University and Architectural Assistant at Populous (formerly HOK Sport), then gave a highly informative talk on the journey of an architecture undergraduate. This afforded the Mentees a fresh glimpse into the undergraduate options open to them.

A 30-minute screening of ‘Sketches of Frank Gehry’ - Sydney Pollack’s excellent documentary on his world-famous architect friend, provided an engaging contrast to the earlier Corbusier exhibition.

The afternoon session drew to a close with a quiz and discussion on Higher Education led by SMF staff which served to sure up Mentee understanding of the UCAS process and the practicalities of attending university.

Mentee feedback of the day was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees revealing that the information and ideas that they had gained from the day had given them more confidence for the university application procedure, a further understanding of the work of an architect, greater exposure to varying types of architecture and a securer sense of what direction their education is heading in and what options are open to them.

The Social Mobility Foundation would like to extend its warmest gratitude to Child Graddon Lewis Architects & Designers who kindly donated the venue for the day and to Lesley Bell and Oonagh Crotty for agreeing to be speakers.

Mentee feedback on the Architecture Futures e-Mentoring programme

I think it is a really good thing to be doing. It has opened so many doors and opportunities and I am grateful and honoured to be part of it.
-Chloe

I think that it is good in supporting me, and furthering my understanding of the world of architecture.
-Kieran

It’s a great idea! I’ve made friends with new people and gained the support of a mentor who’s given me some brilliant advice.
-Nisha