A JOURNEY WITH STRATHCLYDE UNIVERSITY

Strathclyde University Architecture and Design Year 4 students and faculty during a visit to Leith Theatre, September 2023

We love talking architecture here at Leith Theatre, especially after a year of regular heritage tours where we have had the pleasure of guiding enthusiasts through our space, exploring this historic building. However, recently our collaboration with the world of architecture has taken us to new levels.

The journey began towards the end of Spring 2023 when the lecturers from Strathclyde University’s Architecture and Design course approached us with an exciting opportunity. Following a visit to Leith Theatre, they introduced to us their unique teaching model which integrates real-world building projects into the curriculum for the Year 4 Architecture and Design Undergraduate students. We were honoured to be considered as one of their chosen charities for this academic year.  

Now in its third cycle, the collaboration involves students working on “live” building projects to inspire and enhance the educational experience. This unique approach allows them to engage with real “clients” like us, and the projects and end results are then showcased in their end-of-year degree show, reflecting actual challenges and building ambitions. 

Through a series of reciprocal familiarisation visits and discussions, the students are introduced to the charitable organisations before dividing across the projects, with a third of the students focussing on each of the charities to start to explore their design thinking. 

Of course, it is not only the students who have much to gain from this experience and our Chief Exec, Lynn, has been enthralled with the process since Leith Theatre jumped on board as one of the charities. It has not only been a fantastic opportunity to introduce Leith to our west coast neighbours (and to spend time ourselves in our second favourite city) but the whole experience has been so incredibly inspiring. 

As an organisation in development, we recognise that Leith Theatre will have its own architectural journey ahead, but being a part of this initiative is a unique way to inspire the next generation of architects while also sharing our own heritage story. We have engaged in the process with caution, careful to leave our own thoughts at the door to allow the students the freedom to use fresh eyes, blue sky thinking and innovative design solutions. 

The students have immersed themselves in Leith, soaking up our community, getting to know our location and understanding our sense of place. They have also crawled around the building, free to roam and consider the whys and why nots, with Lynn happy to answer lots of thought-provoking questions. 

As March draws to a close and the students are diligently working towards their deadlines, it is incredible to meet other people who are unquestionably waking up dreaming about Leith Theatre too… although perhaps more so in a blue-sky creative way. It has been a joy to witness their enthusiasm. Our networks are richer for the experience too, and for Lynn, the peer-to-peer opportunities with lecturers and fellow charitable CEOs with similar building projects has been incredible. 

Lynn and Anna during a visit to Strathclyde University to speak to the Architecture and Design Year 4 students

During our recent Glasgow visit we had the privilege of seeing beautiful drawings and concepts which showcased their depth of thinking and consideration, with some early 3D models and even some thoughts of reinterpreting Leith Theatre entirely! 

We very much look forward to seeing all the students’ final work soon and wish them all well as they get their heads down to meet their looming deadlines. 

Perhaps we will have an opportunity in future to show some of their incredible projects in Leith Theatre and we are so proud to support their work by being part of this incredibly innovative higher education opportunity. 

Strathclyde Uni aptly named this project: To Care… and do you know what, they certainly do. 

As we continue this journey, we look forward to sharing more updates in the future 💙