Alessandro Columbano

Alessandro is the course director for the MArch Architecture (RIBA pt.2) and L7 Architect Apprenticeship at the Birmingham School of Architecture. He also co-established and leads the Co\\aborative Lab:oratory (Co.LAB) an inter-disciplinary design-research initiative within the school that integrates teaching with contemporary creative practices through live projects, design research and civic agency. Co.LAB has won design awards and international commissions with its transdisciplinary projects.

Alessandro has worked in architecture and research practices in Manchester and London focusing on residential buildings and restoration of prestigious heritage buildings, with further experience in evidence-based design at Space Syntax. He graduated from the Manchester School of Architecture in both architecture and urbanism courses prior to developing his portfolio as an independent artist and designer.

As anviere, a design guise, he has developed a portfolio of site-specific installations, architecture structures and art direction for stage sets, productions or short films… commenting on the subversive qualities of our physical environments.

Alessandro brings his transdisciplinary experience as an academic and researcher, expanding forms of architectural practice, representation and design pedagogy in research themes of architecture & cinema and contemporary material vernacular. It is applied by engaging with the city’s cultural network through an ongoing process of collaborative practice – encouraging students to be entrepreneurial citizens through their design ideas.

As Enterprise Coordinator and STEAMhouse academic lead, Alessandro has instigated innovation projects such as STEAMhouse, Knowledge Quarter and The Climate Literacy Skills Bootcamp. The outcomes of these key projects are transferred to studio teaching and inform University strategies in KEF, external engagement and the creative ecosystem for the city.

Alessandro is part of the RIBA Publishing Educational Committee, peer-reviewer for Charrette Architectural Journal, on the advisory board for Centrala Gallery, and former specialist member on Birmingham City Council’s Design Review Panel.

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