OLD TIMBER TO NEW FIRES
NOVEMBER 2022
On the 15th November Níall will be taking part in an online talks organised by Eric Parry Architects. The series on sacred space titled Presence, Person, Beauty, brings together contemporary authors to reflect on some of the most primary questions for theology and philosophy as well as the history of art and architecture. This series is in collaboration with The Reverend Canon Peter Newby, St Mary’s University. Níall's talk titled Old Timbers to New Fires can be viewed here.
RIBA EDUCATION REVIEW PRESENTATION
MARCH 2015
Niall gave a presentation to the RIBA Education Review at a specially convened Forum and Council, which debated significant changes to the structure of architectural education. Niall spoke about the relationship between education and practice, arguing for a lifelong cycle of practice and education.
“Education should not end with RIBA Part III, or even limp along through minimum prescribed CPD events. It should no longer be possible for an architect to finish their education. I propose a more comprehensive model of life-long learning. If practitioners come back to the schools throughout their lives, they will be constantly invigorated and, by extension, they will constantly invigorate the schools to which they return. This would constitute a discourse – in the sense of a ferrying back and forth – in which practice and education are both part of a seamless continuity. The purpose of education is not so much the acquisition of set skills but – to borrow a phrase from John Hattie – learning how to learn. Once you have done this, you have built an engine for a lifetime of renewal.”