Four Days on the Outside is a week long pedagogical event. It was first initiated in 2001 for 1st year architecture students, but in its latest format brings together students from all years of the undergraduate architecture course and other courses in the School of Art and Design.
The students work in small groups (10 - 12 in each) together with external visiting tutors.
Sometimes this translates into working with community groups, individual clients or simply in public space. The method of working is group based and although the outcomes relate to the built environment they are not necessarily architectural. Some projects resemble exhibitions, protests, happenings, consultative processes etc. whilst other groups build constructions in public space.
The tutors are drawn from wide range of backgrounds and locations - architecture, art, music, theatre and some groups are student led.
Pedagogically, the students learn about the pace and levels of production needed in such short projects. They develop team working skills, ability to negotiate usage of space with other 'stakeholders', practical manual skills, as well as the skills needed to re-conceptualise everyday situations.
It is an intense 4 days at the end of which each project group presents their work insitu. All groups come together on the 5th day in one public space with lap tops and projection facilities to show and discuss their working processes and outcomes. Importantly, it allows all involved to reflect on the relevance and relationship of the week's experience to their distinct disciplines and to the built environment.
Four Days on the Outside' aims to build bridges between all those who have a vested interest in the built environment.