Architecture Staff

BArch (Hons) Dip Arch ARB

Carol Robertson is a Teaching Fellow, whose teaching interests build upon themes experienced in practice. She joined the University of Dundee in 2006 with several years experience as a project architect in practice, responsible for a variety of projects including small scale residential, community arts & theatre, affordable housing and urban regeneration schemes. Many projects required significant client consultation, and an awareness of the considerable responsibility of architects and the role of design in encouraging people to engage as a community remain a priority. Frequently working with existing buildings brought an understanding of energy conservation and the need to consider a low ecological impact as an integral part of the design process.

An interest in the versatility of timber in architecture, influenced by a long-term connection to Scandinavia, led Carol to live and work in Japan to further her knowledge of traditional craftsmanship, and continues to support her teaching. Projects which emphasise direct experience with real materials are central to understanding the craft of architecture, and illustrate the importance of a direct connection between hand and eye by ‘thinking through making’. It is increasingly rare that students are offered this opportunity in addition to completing representational drawings and models in the design studio, and Carol continues to integrate these themes into her teaching.

As Year 2 Leader, Carol is responsible for developing studio projects, organising and contributing to the supporting programme of lectures, tutorials, workshops and reviews, and all associated administration and assessment. Her responsibilities also include acting as internal examiner for all levels of the course, admissions interviewer for MArch candidates, Year 3 dissertation tutor, co-ordinator of Year 2 ERASMUS applications, and organiser of national and international study trips.

In addition to teaching, Carol is currently studying towards a Postgraduate Certificate in Education which aims to assess the benefits to students of ‘live projects’ and peer learning in the architectural studio environment.