Residency for Ideas launched in memory of Emma Burke Newman - The Glasgow School of Art Media Centre

Portrait of Emma Burke Newman

The friends, colleagues and family of Emma Burke Newman have launched the Residency for Ideas, an opportunity for Mackintosh School of Architecture students from The Glasgow School of Art, at key points in their study (Stage 3 or Stage 5), to explore their practice responding to the prompt: ‘What is your practice? Who are you as an architectural practitioner? What sort of architectural practitioner do you want to be?’. Collaborative teams of GSA students are encouraged to apply and develop their ideas into a public presentation that could be in the form of a workshop, seminar, lecture, publication, zine, exhibition, film, party or event.

Supported by New Practice and Karakusevic Carson Architects and hosted by the Mackintosh School of Architecture, The Glasgow School of Art, GSA students will receive mentorship, open discussions and support towards their final outcome. Successful applicants will be offered up to 10 hours mentorship time with the practices (Either in-person or online) and up to £1,000 financial contribution towards their residency outcome.

Residency for Ideas will launch on 16 November with a mid-week evening lecture event presented by Emma’s parents and the practices involved in the project at The Glasgow School of Art. Students will be invited to submit proposals including a summary of their proposed residency and an outline timeline/programme for their work.

It is anticipated that the selected residents will be notified in January, with the aim being that the selected residents will share their outcome with their peers across The Glasgow School of Art, the public and practice networks towards the beginning of the new 2024-2025 academic year (September 2024).

Emma Burke Newman’s Quote that inspired the Residency

“Valuing local knowledge in architectural and urban design is hugely important to me. It’s always a joy to learn about someone’s lived experience of their neighbourhood, and advocate for them in the design process.

As an engagement-led practitioner, I aspire to work with communities to foster a sense of belonging and pride in their neighbourhoods.

I am committed to prototyping new models of engaging in the built environment, both analogue and digital, to provoke change in the architectural sector and ultimately build more equitable cities.”

Rose Marie Burke and John Newman, Parents of Emma Burke Newman said: “The program honours our daughter’s brilliant, creative mind by creating a lasting intellectual legacy and inspiring collaboration among three great institutions. Emma had given great thought about the kind of architecture she wanted to do and was pursuing it with vigour. She would have loved this initiative, as do we!”

Oliver Simpson & Abby Hopes, Emma’s peers said: “As Emma’s friends, we feel honoured to be able to contribute to a project that so perfectly explores Emma’s interests in the built environment. We feel as young architects ourselves that the residency is an amazing opportunity for others to embrace the uncertainties of figuring out their place in the industry, how they want to change the world for the better, like Emma did. Emma will always be a part of us and it’s lovely that others will get to be a part of her legacy that we have been so inspired by.”

Marc Cairns and Becca Thomas, Directors of New Practice said: “During Emma’s time at New Practice, it was already clear that she was focussed on exploring which type of architecture she wanted to practice. It constantly impressed us both that someone so young, and early in their career, could be so confident in the contributions they wanted to make to the world around them. Building this residency in Emma’s memory is one route through which we hope to support other early career practitioners of architecture to dedicate time, energy and capacity to think about their place in the wider world of architecture and architectural practice.”

Hajir Kheder and Laura Cobb, Community Engagement Managers, Karakusevic Carson Architects said: “Emma was always compelled to engage with as many different experiences, skills and collaborations as possible and had an immense sense of curiosity for the people and places around her, shaping her unique perspective and depth of knowledge. She was bold and unafraid to step outside of convention, with an appetite for novelty and exploration in the everyday and which drove her to pursue her very own and unique journey as an architectural practitioner. The ‘Residency for Ideas’ aims to celebrate Emma’s outlook and passions, and in doing so, we hope this will inspire other students to explore, challenge and carve their own roles, thoughts, and contributions to wider practice.”

Luca Brunelli, Emma’s tutor, Senior Lecturer/Stage Leader at the Mackintosh School Of Architecture said: “It is a significant initiative to commemorate Emma’s journey within our school. With her inquisitive mind and enthusiasm bridging between architecture and practice, she left a lasting impact on students and staff alike. I’m looking forward to seeing her legacy further expanded through this project”

Professor Sally Stewart, Head of School, Mackintosh School of Architecture said: “The Residency for Ideas is a small but powerful means to continue the thinking, exploring and challenging around what it is to become an architect, a process that Emma had clearly begun for herself, and which had already influenced the trajectory she had set for herself.

I hope this chance to re-imagine practice fit for today challenges our thinking and choices in a way that Emma would have recognised and appreciated.”

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Editors Notes

Press Enquiries

Luke Neve / luke@neve.agency / 07920820663

Press Materials

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Km9MWXKec1Ng9Kedc0qTMzQNHFMOwZMZ?usp=sharing

Additional information

Residency Committee for 2023-2024 year

John Newman & Rose Marie Burke, Emma’s parents

Oliver Simpson & Abby Hopes, Emma’s peers

Marc Cairns & Becca Thomas, New Practice

Laura Cobb & Hajir Kheder, Karakusevic Carson Architects