Dezeen School Shows: an ecological farm in the Lake District, UK, with a focus on food and energy production is among ten projects by students at Lancaster University.

Also featured is a community centre with workshops for local artists, a rewilding proposal and a plastic recycling hub.

Lancaster University

Institution: Lancaster University
School: Lancaster School of Architecture
Courses: BA (Hons) Architecture
Tutors: Matthew Pilling, Stephen Connah and Siobhain Graham

School statement:

"The three concerns underpinning everything we do at Lancaster School of Architecture are future practice, digital crafts and the climate crisis.

"Future practice: issues such as future cities and rapid urbanisation, changing societal and family structures and patterns of working, new materials and accelerating digitalisation necessitate a new kind of architectural professional, equipped to address such challenges.

"Digital crafts: digital fabrication, agile production, rapid prototyping, disruptive technologies, advanced manufacturing, learning-by-doing and the maker movement: our students will not just be familiar with these ideas but will go on to become future pioneers.

"Climate emergency: addressing the climate crisis is an imperative. Climate change will be seamlessly integrated into everything we teach and we will strive for it to become utterly normalised so as to be part of our everyday conversation in studio, all the time.

"Five additional, facilitative themes help us address these. First is radical creativity, since they can only be tackled via highly creative, innovative and socially embedded solutions.

"Next is ethics: we are becoming a more unequal society and so applied ethics is integrated in our professional practice.

"Furthermore, people lie at the heart of the design process and human-centred design is part of all our teaching.

"Place is important to us since our school is located next to the Lake District and we take full advantage of this uniquely exceptional setting to address issues of place, landscape and context.

"And finally, how is all of this achieved? Through integrating education and research."

A Tonic for People and Planet: Modern Healing, Ancient Roots by Thomas Arnett

"Amid the biodiversity crisis and people's growing disconnection from nature, horticultural therapy, traditional medicine and its scientific research provide a holistic response.

"Cultivating native herbs becomes a therapeutic act, rewilding the landscape while infusing each space with rich aromas.

"These herbs are processed into traditional remedies, proven by research, creating architecture that heals the body, mind and earth."

Student: Thomas Arnett
Course: BA (Hons) Architecture
Tutors: Matthew Pilling, Stephen Connah and Siobhain Graham
Email: thomasdarnett[at]outlook.com

Restoring The Classics: Built to Last, Designed to Evolve by George Atkinson

"My project is centred around the restoration and conservation of vintage vehicles like Land Rover defenders and Jaguar E-Types into electric vehicles (EVs).

"This sustainable way of travel, especially in the Lake District, is critical to keep the character while blending traditional automotive craftsmanship with modern technology.

"Through a hybrid intervention the project creates a multi-functional hub that preserves local vernacular architecture while meeting the contemporary needs of a restoration facility, museum and manufacturing centre.

"Blending tradition with innovation, the project offers a vision of how industrial spaces can evolve to support heritage, community and the environment."

Student: George Atkinson
Course: BA (Hons) Architecture
Tutors: Matthew Pilling, Stephen Connah and Siobhain Graham
Email: george.l.atkinson[at]btinternet.com

The Understory by Joshua Basford

"The Understory is my immersive food and nature project set in the heart of the Lake District.

"From fudge and confectionery workshops, to seasonal, experiential dining, it celebrates a journey through foraging, craft and community; where the flavours of the lakes take precedent and guide each visitor's experience.

"Rooted in the land, the project encourages biodiversity, growth and the unique spirit of Lake District dining."

Student: Joshua Basford
Course: BA (Hons) Architecture
Tutors: Mathew Pilling, Stephen Connah and Siobhain Graham
Email: joshpaulb.arch[at]gmail.com

Upstream: From Plastic to Paddle by Nathan Dixon

"Honouring the Lake District's boating heritage, this Skelwith Bridge project blends traditional boat craft with recycled plastic practices.

"The project transforms Skelwith Bridge's historic Old Mill into a plastic recycling and processing hub, supported by a new-build water craft manufacturing centre.

"A central ambition of the project is to create a meaningful and accessible relationship between people and the river.

"The act of launching a watercraft becomes a choreographed sequence, the architecture becomes a tool for interaction, education and reflection."

Student: Nathan Dixon
Course: BA (Hons) Architecture
Tutors: Mathew Pilling, Stephen Connah and Siobhain Graham
Email: ndxn.studio[at]gmail.com

Rooted Futures: a hybrid vertical farm and food waste processing plant by Zhixing Jiang

"The proposal reimagines an area of land in the Skelwith Bridge, Lake District, as a productive landscape centred on a vertical farm.

"Responding to ecological and logistical constraints, the design integrates food production, energy production and public engagement.

"An on-site food waste recycling facility powers the farm through biogas, creating a closed-loop energy system.

"The building blends curved steel structures with natural materials, while public spaces connected by the landscape bridge support education, tourism and local supply chains – transforming a difficult site into a model of sustainable rural innovation."

Student: Zhixing Jiang
Course: BA (Hons) Architecture
Tutors: Mathew Pilling, Stephen Connah and Siobhain Graham
Email: 2191914883[at]qq.com

Brathay Bank: Bar, Distillery and Glass working in the Lake District by Daniel Marsh

"This project is shaped by the industrial history and local vernacular of the region.

"The copper cladding weathers to merge with the greenish-blue hues of the local slate as the new planting matures and the facility cements itself in the community.

"The blended whiskey hearkens back to the history of alcohol and corn, and the glass working completes the cycle of this artisanal product from grain to glass.

"All the while, visitors are guided along in an interactive tour that culminates in a tasting experience in the retrofitted Old Mill bar."

Student: Daniel Marsh
Course: BA (Hons) Architecture
Tutors: Mathew Pilling, Stephen Connah and Siobhain Graham
Email: danielmarsh791[at]gmail.com

Fellowship of The Hills – a deep connection to the mountains by Iona Nelson-Yeats

"Fellowship of the Hills is built on a shared love for the mountains – a place where people come together through a deep sense of connection and belonging.

"In the heart of the Lake District, it's a cultural hub for outdoor life, offering sports events, local clubs and workshops led by artisan gear makers.

"It's more than adventure; it's about supporting the local economy, celebrating craft and keeping the spirit of the outdoor community alive."

Student: Iona Nelson-Yeats
Course: BA (Hons) Architecture
Tutors: Mathew Pilling, Stephen Connah and Siobhain Graham
Email: ionanelsonyeats[at]gmail.com

Soap and Harmony: a community hub crafting togetherness by Macey Sophia Nemeth

"This project aims to bring together the three main groups in the lakes: farmers, tourists and conservationists.

"A soap production facility, gift shop and flexible events space creates a new hub in Skelwith Bridge for the community to work together and create a more sustainable Lake District.

"The production facility reuses an old slate mill whilst a demolition of three old workshops opens the site up for a new shop and events space for farmers markets and an outdoor seating and growing area."

Student: Macey Sophia Nemeth
Course: BA (Hons) Architecture
Tutors: Mathew Pilling, Stephen Connah and Siobhain Graham
Email: maceynemeth20[at]gmail.com

Forget-Me-Not re-wilding the Lake District, re-naturing the mind by Noah Verhoog

"Re-wilding the Lake District's landscape and re-connecting the human mind to its fundamental nature; the Botanic Gardens, Tree Nursery and Meditative Pavilions embody the architectural manifestation of conservation and appreciation of the Lake District's natural beauty.

"Set to replace the derelict Kirkstone Mill at Skelwith Bridge, this proposal seeks to provide physical contributions to re-wilding schemes in the form of young trees, as well as psychological contributions by providing spaces for reflection upon the native landscape."

Student: Noah Verhoog
Course: BA (Hons) Architecture
Tutors: Mathew Pilling, Stephen Connah and Siobhain Graham
Email: uninoahver[at]gmail.com

Fell and Flame: a community home for the artists within by Darcey Annabella Mitchell Barker

"The Fell and Flame project is a hub for local artists and community members to come together and celebrate their imagination.

"The project hosts public and private spaces for community-led events and holds room for private in-house artists who run workshops and businesses.

"Workshops such as ceramics, printmaking, yarn spinning and jewellery making take place across the site, primarily focusing on ceramics.

"The project deeply connects to the local landscape and nature and promotes mental health and social wellbeing among the community members."

Student: Darcey Annabella Mitchell Barker
Course: BA (Hons) Architecture
Tutors: Mathew Pilling, Stephen Connah and Siobhain Graham
Email: dxrcey[at]gmail.com

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and Lancaster University. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

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