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Decanonising Architectural Education

Part 2 Dissertation 2022
Clarissa Marie O'driscoll
University of Brighton | UK
This dissertation argues for greater acknowledgement and visibility of the contributions of Women of Colour in architecture, emphasising the importance of looking at the intersections of gender and race and decanonisation. It critically examines the notion of the architectural canon and its formation and asks how it becomes a benchmark and why those who align to white Western male standards are likely to achieve the most recognition.

As the architectural canon is predominantly made of white Western males, any sense of belonging is difficult for a woman of mixed heritage throughout architectural education, and therefore, in architecture. The ideas of diversifying and decolonising the curriculum, and hence the canon, are to help those who are in a similar position to me in my past five years of studying architecture.

What does it mean, though, to diversify and decolonise the curriculum? Why is it important to decanonise the curriculum, meaning the ongoing efforts of dismantling the existing architectural canon and canonical formations? To this end, the dissertation analyses two existing alternative curricula that focus on race in architecture, and suggests a new intersectional curriculum, actively highlighting Women of Colour in architecture, while encouraging students to make their own personal contributions.

Clarissa Marie O'driscoll

Tutor(s)
Tilo Amhoff
2022
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