This summer, an exhibition of work based on the UNNC Architecture Vertical Design Studio (VDS), led by Dr Maycon Sedrez, will be on display in São Paulo, Brazil during the 13th annual São Paulo Architecture Biennale. Organised by the Institute of Architects of Brazil, the exhibition takes place between 21 May and 10 July 2022. The pedagogical approaches and body of work addressed the theme of Radical Tropicalism developed by academic staff and students majoring in architecture at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) was successfully selected for this Biennale.

The São Paulo International Architecture Biennale is the most significant event for debate and critical development of architecture and urban disciplines in Latin America. In 2022, the biennale's organisers called for exhibition proposals centred on the theme of “Crossings” as an overarching topic for the educational axis call entitled Wefts and Seams. This call seeks to promote discussions over academic projects addressing socio-spatial inequalities by reflecting on the fragmentation, discontinuity, and simultaneities of the territory in Brazil and the world.

The works selected for the exhibition are from Unit 1 of UNNC Vertical Design Studio, co-supervised by Dr Maycon Sedrez, Dr Eugenio Mangi and Ms Yimin Su. These projects aim to understand the specific context of Brazilian environmental and sustainable approaches to architecture and urban design, and how they can be applied to Ningbo.

To help students gain an in-depth understanding of the Brazilian living environment and sustainable design, and to better apply the Brazilian practices of urban design in Ningbo, students were encouraged to explore exhibitions of Brazilian artists. Inspired by two Brazilian art exhibitions in Shanghai: HO in Motion by artist Helio Oiticica (creator of the term Tropicalia) and Trees, the students were encouraged to rethink the role of green and public space in Ningbo’s downtown urban life.

In this work, Year 3 and Year 4 students, respectively, developed a social housing project and a masterplan for a site located in Haishu District along Xiaowen Street, one of the few surviving fragments of the traditional Chinese town.

In completing the work, students developed design narratives to regenerate residual spaces and inconsistent nodes through urban farming, urban regeneration and urban acupuncture approaches. At the same time, students used digital and analogue tools, such as virtual reality and video production, to support the entire design process and enhance their learning experience. Through environmental and sustainable design strategies, students discussed and addressed pressing social and cultural issues that are emerging in the process of modernising Ningbo.

Vertical Design Studio is a unique learning model for architecture students. Year 3 and Year 4 architecture students share design studio space and collaborate on specific architectural projects. The vertical design studio allows students of different years of grade to learn and help and learn from each other in an active and friendly learning atmosphere.

Yifan Chen, a Year 4 architecture student whose work was selected, said that in the vertical design studio, everyone's work is open and visual, and the teachers encourage students to communicate and learn from each other. He believes that this collision of inspiration can bring about more critical thinking.

Yifan explained that she and all the other team members feel honoured to know that their design work was selected. She said: "The process is hard to make a good design. We shall learn in the process of the steady state of mind, not to blindly compare with other teams. Find the right pace for your study and make good use of every tutorial. We are honoured that our works will be exhibited soon, and we are very grateful for the patient guidance from our teachers and the persistent efforts of our teammates. It will be an unforgettable teamwork experience."

The Department of Architecture and Built Environment has an international faculty, including staff from Germany, Italy, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Slovakia, Malaysia and China. They also bring students insights from different cultural backgrounds. Dr Maycon Sedrez, the lead instructor for this project, was born and grew up in Brazil, and has studied and worked in many European countries.

Ziyun Chai, also a Year 4 student, said, "Through constant interaction and communication with teachers and classmates, we can generate better ideas. In addition, the communication with teachers enables us to think more deeply and develop our critical thinking through discussion. We are very happy to be able to present our master planning project at the biennale with the help of our teachers, and I am looking forward to the exhibition. "

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