Ascensions 5 {Anything but Architecture}

For the fifth event in the Ascensions series, we are bringing together four graduates from our School of Architecture: Livia Wang, Olly Wainwright, Safia Qureshi, and Tom Greenall. Each of these alumni have pivoted away from the traditional path of practice-based work and forged new ways of building on their education, be it through writing, curation, teaching, or fabrication. They each use architectural skills and sensibilities to develop new methods and frames to critically imagine worlds.

Livia, Olly, Safia and Tom will be back in the building to discuss their grounds and horizons and the ways in which the spirit of the RCA School of Architecture has informed and inspired their ongoing and future practice. Taking place in the ArtBar/Lounge, our guests will think through their work in both image and sound, emphasising the significance of presence and culture in the deepening of social and spatial practices, both across the School and beyond.

Held in the more informal, seminal setting of the ArtBar/Lounge, where some of the best ideas and deepest connections tend to come about, and to create a more discursive atmosphere; we want to talk, think, play some music, and collectively be together.

Livia Wang (MA Architecture, 2018) is the Creative Director of Van Gogh House London. As a designer she has completed conservation, public art and exhibitions projects across China and the UK. Livia teaches architecture at the University of Cambridge.

Olly Wainwright (MA Architecture, 2010) is the architecture and design critic of the Guardian. He previously worked at OMA, Muf and the Mayor of London's Architecture and Urbanism Unit. His first book, Inside North Korea, was published by Taschen in 2018.

Safia Qureshi (MA Architecture, 2010) is an architect, innovation designer and educator. In 2015 she launched Studio [D] Tale to build projects with high social and environmental impact. Safia then incubated and launched CLUBZERØ - returnable packaging system for food and beverage in 2018.

Tom Greenall (MA Architecture, 2009) is an architect and Director at architecture practice DSDHA. His research focuses on the implications of technology within the evolution of public space. Since 2011, Tom has taught the experimental studio ADS4 at the RCA.

Co-curated by Charlotte Grace and Thomas Aquilina
Support from Lucy Last and Pam Su
Music by Dara Khakpour (RCA Interior Futures 2021)
Poster design by Hereth (Clem Rousset: RCA MA Graphic Design 2020)