Independents’ Group Fellowships

The AA School and SIAL at RMIT announce the the call for applications for the inaugural round of Independents’ Group Fellowships, to commence in September 2013. IG Fellows will develop and prototype novel architectural ideas in collaboration with industry partners, to lead a future generation of design-led technologies for the built environment.

The Independents’ Group (IG) is an international research platform for interdisciplinary exchange and collaboration that brings together leading academic and industry partners to develop prototypes for the future of the built environment. It aims to enable new models of collaborative practice and address current divisions between academia and practice; between design culture and industry; and among sectors of the building industry.

Led by two of the world’s leading independent architecture schools, the IG will connect advanced manufacturing partners; technical consultants, cultural and media organisations who share a commitment to addressing future challenges in our built environment through project based research.

In 2013, four non-resident Fellowships are being offered by The Architectural Association School of Architecture, London, and the Spatial Information Architecture Laboratory at RMIT University, Melbourne. The Fellowships will provide applicants with academic research guidance, connect them to a network of industry expertise, and provide financial support for project-related costs over a six-month period. Outcomes will be disseminated to the widest possible audience through a range of research prototypes, exhibitions, publications and events.

The Fellowships are open to emerging architects with a maximum of eight years post-graduate professional experience. The IG is seeking candidates who have the potential to define future directions for design practice and have a demonstrated record of independent design research.

Applications are invited on research areas including Mass Customisation, Future Materials, Integrating Design Information, and Digital Fabrication, with a focus on applications in rapid construction in Australia, and transformation of existing buildings in Europe.

Application deadline is 28 June 2013. For further information and application procedures please visit: http://www.independentsgroup.net