معرفی
Tom Coward is a Senior Lecturer teaching MArch Architecture (RIBA 2) in the Department of Architecture and Landscape at the Kingston School of Art, Kingston University. With over 23 years of experience as a qualified British architect and RIBA Client Advisor, he brings extensive professional expertise to his academic role. He has taught architecture courses for more than 19 years, including serving as Year Leader from 2019-2022, and has contributed significantly to curriculum development and course revalidation.
His educational background includes:
- 2021: Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy
- 2005: Professional Practice Examination, London Metropolitan University
- 2002: MA RCA Architecture & Interiors, Royal College of Art
- 1998: BA (Hons) Architecture First class, University of Nottingham
Dr. Coward's research focuses on conversational architecture, participatory practice, and the relationship between architectural practice and academic activities. His work emphasizes community engagement, social prescription, and the role of everyday objects in architectural design. He is currently completing a PhD by Practice titled "Towards a Conversational Architecture," which explores how lived experience informs architectural practice and education. His research has involved fieldwork to significant architectural sites including works by Giancarlo de Carlo in Urbino, Lina Bo Bardi in Sao Paulo, and Charles Moore in California.
His notable scholarly contributions and recognitions include:
- Young Architect of the Year 2005, Runner Up
- Architects Journal '40 under 40' Winner, 2005
- Fellowship of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce
- Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy
- RIBA Award for The Green Community Centre
As an educator, Dr. Coward has supervised numerous MArch students whose work has been published and exhibited internationally and won industry awards. He has developed innovative teaching approaches, including community-based residencies such as the Walworth Living Room project with Pembroke House Settlement and engagement with Shinfield Parish Council. During the pandemic, he led efforts to transform teaching into effective digital environments while maintaining the relational aspects of architectural education. He has also served as a RIBA Pt III Internal Assessor at the University of Brighton and as the Louis I Kahn Visiting Assistant Professor at Yale University in 2011-12.
Dr. Coward is a founding director of the award-winning RIBA chartered practice AOC Architecture Ltd, described as "One of the most promising, successful new practices in British Architecture" (The Times). The practice is known for its socially engaged, characterful buildings that operate at diverse scales in sensitive contexts. Projects by AOC have been exhibited internationally and published in significant architectural publications including Hatch (2008), New Arcadians (2012), New Architects 3 (2016), and Post-Modernism, Buildings in Britain (2017).
