Director of Architectural Research
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Jane Rendell is an architectural designer and historian, art critic and writer. Through individual and collaborative research projects, her work over the past ten years has explored various interdisciplinary intersections – feminist theory and architectural history, fine art and architectural design, autobiographical writing and criticism – examining how the theories and practices of one discipline can be used to explore and question another, producing in the process new modes of knowledge. She considers certain types of writing, as well art and architecture, to be forms of critical spatial practice, and is currently engaged, through teaching and research, a project of ‘site-writings’.
She is author of Art and Architecture (2006), The Pursuit of Pleasure, (2002); co-editor of Pattern (2006), Critical Architecture (2007), Spatial Imagination (2005), The Unknown City, (2001), Intersections, (2000), Gender Space Architecture, (1999), Strangely Familiar, (1995) and editor of ‘Critical Architecture’ special issue of the Journal of Architecture (June, 2005) and ‘A Place Between’, special issue of the Public Art Journal, (October, 1999).
She gives talks at galleries such as the Barbican, the Hayward, the Tate and the Whitechapel, and has recently written essays for artists and architects, such as Jananne Al-Ani, Elina Brotherus, Hawkins/Brown, Sharon Kivland, Janet Hodgson, Tracey Moffatt, Sally Morfill, Jane Prophet, Adriana Varejao and Richard Wentworth and galleries such as the Serpentine, the Wapping Project and the BALTIC.
She is on the Editorial Board for ARQ (Architectural Research Quarterly) and the Journal of Visual Culture in Britain, is a member of the AHRB Peer Review College and Chair of the Judging Panel for the RIBA Research Awards. In 2006 she was a research fellow at CRASSH (Centre for Research in Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities) at the University of Cambridge and received an honorary degree from the University College of the Creative Arts.
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Jane Rendell, The Pursuit of Pleasure: Gender, Space and Architecture in Regency London,
(London: The Athlone Press/Continuum, 2002).
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Jane Rendell, ‘From Austin, Texas to Santiago Atitlan, and back again’ Journal of Romance Studies, Special Issue: Architecture and Transculturation in Latin America, (2003).
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Jane Rendell, 'Architectural Research and Disciplinarity’,
(2004), ARQ, v. 8, n. 4, pp. 141–7.
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Jane Rendell, 'Architecture-Writing', in Jane Rendell
(ed.) Critical Architecture, special issue of
the Journal of Architecture, (June 2005), v.
10. n. 3, pp. 255–64.
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Jane Rendell, Art and Architecture: A Place Between,
(London: IB Tauris, 2006).
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Jane Rendell, 'Site-Writing: Enigma and Embellishment', in Jane Rendell, Jonathan Hill, Murray Fraser, Mark Dorrian (ed.), Critical Architecture, (London: Routledge, 2007).
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I am interested in writing as a form of
practice. This has evolved into a programme of what
I call 'site-writing’. Students are asked to choose
a site of investigation and to produce a piece of writing
that researches, critiques and responds physically to
the site, either through the material qualities of text
or through direct textual intervention. This approach
to writing adapts processes of thinking and making more
akin to design practice than to the usual study of history
and theory. The question posed is: 'How is it possible
to research architecture historically and theoretically
as well as provide creative propositions through the
written texts themselves?’ In short: 'How to write
'as’ rather than 'about’ architecture?’ This course ran as a module for MSc Architecture History
as MSCAH 08 'Theorising Practices; Art, Architecture
and Writing', in 2001-2, 2002-3, 2003-4, 2004-5 and
for the Architecture Diploma Course as 'The Reading
Room’ (2000), 'Site-Specific Writing’ (2001),
'Travel Stories’ (2002) at the Bartlett School
of Architecture, UCL. The module examines the relationships
between spatial practices and theories from an interdisciplinary
perspective and introduces a wide range of works, from
fine art to urban design, and a diverse selection of
theoretical and critical ideas. By referring to a particular
set of texts alongside examples of contemporary practice,
this module encourages speculation on the differing
ways theory and practice relate. The assessed component
includes a practice-based writing project called 'Site-Specific
Writing' which comprises an inter-twined commentary
and project composed as a response to a site. Works
produced as part of this course can be viewed on the
bartlett intranet here.
Course Tutor: MSc Architectural History: MScAH 07, MScAH 09, MscAH Report. 2000-
Module Leader: MSCAH 08 'Theorising Practices; Art, Architecture and Writing', 2002-
Co-ordinator, Diploma Dissertation Programme, The Bartlett, UCL, 2000-3.
Dissertation Group Leader, Diploma Dissertation Programme, The Bartlett, UCL, 1994-2003.
Dissertation Tutor, Architecture Diploma, Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL, 2005-
Student Prizes: The Bartlet School of Architecture History and Theory Prize: Matt Bowles (2001), Zoe Quick (2002), Lucy Leonard (2003).
Student Awards: RIBA Student Medals 2005, Commendation in Dissertation, Fiona Sheppard.
Students with Distinctions in their MSc Reports, Li Lian Chee (2001), Andres Kurg (2001), Karen Querforth (2001), Julia Bodenstein (2002), Sophie Handler (2004), Nick Beech (2005).
On the PhD programme, I supervise both theses both in architectural design and in history, theory and criticism. A more traditional model of research expects certain questions to be identified at the outset of the research period and then explored over a three-year period. Students following the design or practice-based route, do not necessarily work this way, but instead intuitive instincts are acted upon, questions only emerge once certain processes of making and designing are already engaged with. This suggests a different mode of research. Given that that outcome is part conventional academic writing and part portfolio, it is possible to consider the construction of a creative and critical dialogue between the two forms of outcome as part of the research itself.
PhD Supervisor: PhD by Architecture Design, and PhD History/Theory/Criticism, 2001-
Tutor: Architectural Design Research, research training module for the PhD students, 2004-
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Spatial Imagination in Design (2005-8)
Principal Investigator: Dr Jane Rendell
Names of Co and Named Investigators: CI: Dr Peg Rawes, RA: Dr Penelope Haralambidou; TA: Stuart Munro.
Funding Body: AHRB/EPSRC funding for a research cluster for 'Designing for the 21st Century’.
Start and End Dates: Jan 2005 – Jan 2006.
Value of Award: £50,000
Description of Project: This one year research cluster examined imagination as a key 'creative driver’ in the development of innovative and qualitative spatial design processes. It brought together an international group of academics and design professionals from 11 disciplines (architecture, computer sciences, creative arts, electronics, engineering design, environmental consultants, graphic and communication design, history of design, product design, psychology and urban design). The cluster focused on cross-sector and multi-disciplinary research and collaboration. Its activities were structured around 5 workshops which examined the relationship between imagination and the design processes of writing, drawing and modeling.
Outputs: a catalogue, Peg Rawes and Jane Rendell (eds), Spatial Imagination, (London, 2005), an exhibition, Spatial Imagination, curated by Dr Penelope Haralambidou, the Domo Baal Gallery, London, (January 2005), a website www.spatialimagination.org/ designed by Stuart Munro, and a symposium, Spaces of Exchange, CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment), (January 2006).
Critical Architecture (2004-7)
Principal Investigator: Dr Jane Rendell
Names of Co and Named Investigators: Prof Jonathan Hill (UCL), Prof Murray Fraser (University of Westminster and Dr Mark Dorrian (University of Edinburgh) plus thirty six contributors.
Funding Body: The British Academy, The Architecture Research Fund, The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL, the University of Westminste, Routledge.
Start and End Dates: November 2004-October 2007.
Value of Award:
£2000 from the British Academy for the conference.
£4000 from the Architecture Research Fund, The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL for the book.
£1400 from the University of Westminster for the book.
£1680 (in kind) from the University of Edinburgh for the book.
£600 from Routledge for the book.
Time Span: Conference (November 2004), two edited publications: special issue of Journal of Architecture (2005), and an edited book with Routledge (forthcoming 2007).
Description of Project: Critical Architecture explored the relationship between criticism and critical design in architecture, examining writing, drawing and building processes, as well as the various theoretical and cultural contexts in which critical work is currently located, including presentations from Andrew Benjamin, Howard Caygill, Kim Dovey, Hal Foster, Hilde Heynen, Patrick Keiller, Sharon Kivland, Steve McAdam, Ben Nicholson, Philippe Rahm, Eyal Weizman and Sarah Wigglesworth.
Outputs: One two day international refereed conference and two edited volumes. Jane Rendell (ed.) Critical Architecture, special issue of the Journal of Architecture, (June 2005), v. 10. n. 3 andJane Rendell, Jonathan Hill, Murray Fraser and Mark Dorrian (eds.) Critical Architecture, (London: Routledge, forthcoming 2007). The project has been the subject of reviews and commentary in ARQ, by Prof Peter Carl, Brian Hatton, Dr. Felipe Hernandez, Prof David Leatherbarrow. Dr Peg Rawes.
Text-Space-Writing (2004)
Names of Co and Named Investigators: artist: Dr Sharon Kivland.
Awarding Body: UCL Graduate School, The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL, The Domo Baal Gallery, London.
Funds Awarded:
£250 from the UCL Graduate School
£250 from the Bartlett UCL
£250 from the Domo Baal Gallery.
Time Span: Jan 2005 – Jan 2006.
Description of Project: 'Flair’ (2004) a text work by artist Sharon Kivland for the foyer gallery space of the Bartlett School of Architecture. This work made explicit an on-going series of unofficial exchanges between art, architecture and writing, and between the Slade School of Fine Art and The Bartlett. The work was accompanied by an artist’s book, published in collaboration with Domo Baal Editions and a seminar, 'Text-Space-Architecture’, (April 2004), with seven presentations from artists, architects, writers, poets and theorists, investigating the relationship between text, space and writing: Dr Sharon Kivland (artist), Reader in Fine Art at Sheffield Hallam University, Brigid Mcleer (artist), Lecturer at the Bartlett, UCL, Dr. Sharon Morris (artist/poet), Senior Lecturer at the Slade, UCL, Dr. Jane Rendell (architect/writer), Reader in Architecture and Art, The Bartlett, UCL, Kristen Krieder, (poet), PhD Student at the Bartlett, Lucy Leonard (architect), former Architecture Diploma Student, Sophie Handler (cultural theorist), MSc Architectural History.
Outputs: an art work, an artist’s book and a seminar of related presentations published as a web-based gallery.
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Research Staff
Dr Penelope Haralambidou, (Research Assistant), Spatial Imagination in Design, (research cluster funded by the EPSRC and AHRC), Jan 2005-2006.
Stuart Munro, (Technical Assistant), Spatial Imagination in Design, (research cluster funded by the EPSRC and AHRC), Jan 2005-2006.
PhD Supervision
Completed Phds
Sant Suwatcharapinun, funded by the Thai Government, 2001–5.
Assistant Dean, Faculty of Architecture, University of Chiang Mai, ‘Gay Prostitute Identity and Architectural Space in contemporary Bangkok’.
Lilian Chee, 3 Year UCL Graduate School Scholarship, 2002–2006.
Lecturer in Architecture, National University of Singapore.
‘Intimacy and the Architectural History of Hotels, Singapore 1880-1910’.
Ivana Wingham, AHRB 3 Year Doctoral Award, 2001–2006.
Lecturer in Architecture at the University of Brighton.
‘The Line in Paul Klee and the Bauhaus Preliminary Course’.
Robin Wilson, AHRB 3 Year Doctoral Award, 2002–2007.
Teaching Fellow at the Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL.
‘Utopic Theory and Art/Architectural Criticism’.
Full-time Phds in Progress
Kristen Kreider, 3 Year UCL Graduate School Scholarship, 2002–5,
1 Year UCL Graduate School Cross-Displinary Scholarship, 2002–5.
‘The Theory and Practice of Site-Specific Poetry’.
Aslihan Senel, funded by the Turkish Government, 2003–.
‘Documentary Film 1990-2000 and Istanbul as Topographic Space’.
Willem de Bruijn, funded by a Dutch Cultural Award, 2002–.
‘Architecture and Alchemy’.
Nick Beech, AHRC 3 Year Doctoral Award, 2006–.
‘Architecture and the Everyday: The Royal Festival Hall’.
Sophie Handler, AHRC 3 Year Doctoral Award 2007–.
'Architecture, Space and Ageing'
Part-time PhDs in Progress
Teresa Hoskyns, part-time student, 2002–.
Lecturer in Architecture at the University of Brighton.
‘Community Participation in Architecture and Radical Democracy’.
Juliet Sprake, part-time student, 2003–.
Lecturer in Design at the Goldsmith’s College, University of London.
‘The Contemporary Architectural Tour as Dialogic Space’.
Alex Zambelli, part-time student, 2007–
Practicing Architect
'Scandalous Artefacts: Architecture and Archaeology'
Second Supervisor
Ana Araujo (First Supervisor: Professor Jonathan Hill)
Julia Bodenstein (First Supervisor: Dr Barbara Penner)
Emma Cheatle (First Supervisor: Dr Penelope Haralambidou)
Constance Lau (First Supervisor: Professor Jonathan Hill)
Igor Marjanovic (First Supervisor: Professor Jonathan Hill)
Filipa Matos (First Supervisor: Professor Matthew Carmona)
Bradley Starkey (First Supervisor: Prof Jonathan Hill)
Sotirios Varsamis (First Supervisor: Dr Barbara Penner)
Neil Wenman (First Supervisor: Professor Jonathan Hill)
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Professional Positions/Peer Review Activities
Chair of the Judging Panel for the RIBA Research Awards, 2006-.
Member of the Advisory Group for the RIBA Dissertation President’s Medal, 2005-.
Reviewer of SciArt Research and Development Applications, Wellcome Trust, 2005.
Reviewer of Applications for Visiting Professorships, The LeverhulmeTrust, 2005.
Reviewer of Applications for Visiting Professorships, The British Academy, 2005.
Member of the AHRB Peer Review College, 2004-.
Member of the Steering Committee of AHRA (Architectural Humanities Research Association), 2004-.
Judge for Royal Institute of British Architects’ President’s Medals Awards (Dissertations), 2004.
External Member of the interview panel for Professor of Design, Goldsmith’s College, University of London, 2004.
Member of the RIBA ARB Joint Validation Panel, 1999-2002.
Reviewer of Grant Applications and Research Fellowship Applications for the AHRB, 2000-4.
Reviewer of Refereed Articles for the following refereed journals, Journal of the Society of Architectural History,Environment and Planning D: Society and Space, Art History, Journal of London, Urban History.
Reviewer of Book Proposals for Routledge and Continuum, 1999-.
Editorial Board Membership
Member of the Editorial Board for ARQ (Architectural Research Quarterly), 2005-.
Member of the International Advisory Board for The Issues, 2005-.
Member of the Editorial Board for the Journal of Visual Culture in Britain, 2000-.
Member of the Editorial Working Group for Habitation, Environment, Community (publication series exploring arts practice and the public realm, a collaboration between Article Press at the University of Central England and ixia - formally the Public Art Forum), 2004-.
Research Fellowships
Visiting Fellowship at CRASSH, Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and History at the University of Cambridge, (April-June 2006)
Honorary Degrees
University of the Creative Arts, (2006).
International Visiting Lecturer
Estonia Academy of Art, Tallinn, Estonia, (forthcoming April 2007).
International Women’s University, Universitat Gesamthochschule, Kassel, 2000.
External Consultuncy
External academic consultant to Jubilee Arts for their CD ROM on arts and user collaboration on the Lyng Estate, Sandwell, 2000.
External Examiner
MA Architectural and Critical Theory, University of Nottingham, 2004-.
BA/DipArch/MA, Architecture, University of Brighton, 2000-5.
MA in Spatial Culture, Middlesex University, 1999-2004.
Diploma and Masters in Architecture, University of Strathclyde, 1998.
External Examiner for PhD Theses for Queen Mary and Westfield, The University of London (forthcoming 2007), The London Consortium, (2003), University of Middlesex, (2003), The University of the Arts, London, (2003) and for upgrade at The University of Exeter (2004), KTH School of Architecture, Stockholm (2002 and 2005).
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