Watch a sample episode now
Join Louise Ciotti in this highly topical Subject Spotlight as she explores environmental justice and redefining sustainability in architecture. Lousie begins by introducing you to what we mean by sustainability within architecture, exploring how architecture education and practice need to take risks and understand the many nuances of sustainable architecture. In doing so, she introduces environmental justice and how this perspective is essential for truly sustainable development. Louise then considers sustainable architecture beyond just the environmental impacts of construction. She explores how architecture students at UWE engage with real communities on live projects to meet their needs for years to come and enhance the education that students receive. Next, Louise explores the importance of working with existing buildings to make them more environmentally sustainable and how this is done through retrofitting. Through this discussion, she highlights the importance of social equity in housing , prioritising improving housing for those who need it most. Finally, Louise introduces you to adaptive reuse and how it aims to breathe new life into old buildings. You’ll then have the chance to put this into practice by developing a new use for a globally iconic historic building!
Louise CiottiUWE, BristolArchitecture, building, and planning
All episodes
1. Sustainability in the Built Environment
2. Working with communities
3. Improving existing buildings
4. Activity: repurposing old buildings
About the university
UWE, Bristol
UWE Bristol is an ambitious, progressive university based in one of the UK's most vibrant cities. The university is focused on solving future challenges through outstanding learning, world-leading research and a culture of enterprise. UWE Bristol encourages students to become original thinkers - set to break new boundaries and lead the way.
UWE, Bristol profile →Meet the academic
Louise Ciotti
Louise Ciotti is a Senior Lecturer in Architecture, Retrofit and Conservation at the University of the West of England, UWE Bristol. Louise combines professional architectural practice with her research and teaching with her role as an Architect and has over 20 years architectural practice experience in London, South-West and Porto, Portugal . She is currently a Director of a small practice specialising in retrofit, Conservation and low energy design. Louise’s research work has primarily been practice-based, responding to prevailing industry needs in the advancement of sustainable design and construction. Before moving into academia she was a practice-based researcher undertaking a number of funded research projects into innovative materiality, embodied carbon profiling and climate change adaptation. As an Educator, she leads modules in design studio and building conservation, working with students across six Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes. Teaching design studio requires dialogue and listening skills – at its best it is a co-creative activity. Design studio is the embodiment of a social constructivist teaching philosophy whereby development is socially situated with knowledge, constructed through interaction with others. Design studio learning therefore takes students into the “zone of proximal development”, providing tasks that are complex to master at first, yet become solved during the process. She seeks opportunities for students to learn from live experience, regularly invites industry experts to participate, as well as sharing her own practice. She enjoys teaching in a range of cultural contexts and supports UWE Bristol’s international partnership in Hong Kong.
In every Subject Spotlight you’ll find
On-demand interactive video content
Sign up, log in and access a wide range of potentially life-changing Subject Spotlight experiences that will help you make informed decisions about your university future.
Remarkable & relatable academics
Learn from some of the UK’s finest and most decorated academics as they give you a genuine, insightful and engaging experience of studying their courses at their universities.
Interactive quizzes and activities
Have a go at fascinating interactive quizzes and activities, then get meaningful and intuitive feedback from the academics to see how you’ve done.
Content to enhance students’ personal statements
Hear direct from the academics what’s expected of you in your personal statements, and the things you can do to improve your chances of getting on the course you most desire!
Certificate of completion
You’ll receive a certificate of completion to evidence your learning - why not add this to your CV and university applications to show your dedication to your future pathway!