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Common Assembly (with DAAR) 2011
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Diasporic Territories 2008
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Diasporic Territories 2009
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Mapping Kurdistan 2007
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Mapping Otherwise 2009
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Spatial Agency 2011
BA (Hons) DipArch PhD
I completed my architectural studies at University of Sheffield including a PhD in Architecture. I have previously held positions as Research Associate at Sheffield and as Post-doctoral Research Fellow at Technical University Berlin. Recently I have been appointed Lecturer at Sheffield. I have taught at a number of architectural schools, including Goldsmiths, University of London and University of East London. I have also worked in practice in London for several years.
My research interests include questions of diversity, post-coloniality and geo-politics in spatial practice. I am interested in developing creative research methodologies and alternative modes of practice, including an on-going interest in the topological as method. I am also a member of OPENkhana, a collaborative that works between architectural, computational and artistic practice.
| Teaching Activities |
MA in Architectural Design (MAAD) programme research based studio leader MA in Architectural Design (MAAD) programme History and Theory tutor |
| Research Interests |
My research interests lie in two key areas: The intersection of geo-politics and space and how this might be addressed in architectural theory and practice, including questions of post-coloniality, trans-localities and bordering practices. My PhD, Diasporic Urbanism, dealt with these issues and last year I completed a residency in Palestine with Delfina Foundation, exploring the intersection of the legal and the spatial. More recently, these interests are being explored with OPENkhana in a project that deals with issues of public space, dissent and geo-politics in Pakistan. I am interested in developing creative research methodologies and a particular interest is the topological as method. Theoretically, I am interested in exploring what types of research methods and modes of practice might be required for a society and a culture that is tending towards the topological. This is explored in my teaching on the MA in Architectural Design, where I am currently helping to re-write a module on design research, and in practice with OPENkhana, where we combine architectural, ethnographic, textual and computational methods. |
| Publications |
Books D. Petrescu, C. Petcou and N. Awan (eds) (2011) Trans-Local-Act: Cultural practices within and across, Paris: aaa-peprav. Book Chapters/ Journals N. Awan (2012) ‘Re-mapping Kurdistan’, in M. Butcher, N. Clarke, J. Smith, R. Tyszczuk (eds) ATLAS: Geography, architecture and change. London: Black Dog. N. Awan (2012 forthcoming) ‘Mapping topological deformations of space as diffused migrant territories’, Space and Culture, special issue Celia Lury (ed), Topologies. N. Awan (Dec 2011) ‘A residency in Palestine’, ArteEast Quarterly; www.arteeast.org. N. Awan, T. Schneider (2011) ‘Other productions of space’, in S. Forlati, A. Isopp with A. Piber. Wien: Springer. N. Awan, T. Schneider, J. Till (Jan 2011) ‘Instances of ecological motivations in the production and use of space’, field: 4(1): 219-226. N. Awan (2009) ‘Words and objects in transposing desire and making space’, ARQ, 12(3): 263-268. N. Awan (2008) ‘Review article of Altering Practices’, Journal of Architecture. 13(2): 209-214. Exhibitions COMMON ASSEMBLY. Deterritorializing the Palestinian Parliament (as part of Decolonizing Architecture Art Residency). Exhibition at the Centre d'Art Neuchâtel, Switzerland (16 September - 28 October 2011) & Nottingham Contemporary, UK (28 January – 15 April 2012) Revisit: Urbanism made in London (part of group exhibition curated by Peter Arlt), 2007. Exhibition at Architekturforum Oberosterreich, Linz and Haus der Architektur, Graz, Austria |