A multi-hyphenate, proven proponent of Architecture, Rob Hyde is an educator , author, + International Lead at the Manchester School of Architecture. His ongoing work + recent book with current RIBA President Alan Jones, ‘Defining Contemporary Professionalism’ challenges his students to consider their professional development early on + further afield.
Location: Manchester, England
1. Beverage of choice?
Beer – Any German Wheat-beer
Spirit – Any ‘Peaty’ Single Malt Scotch
Work – Black filter coffee in Winter, Greek style Frappe [black, no sugar/ milk] in Summer
Relax - Tea [English Breakfast or Liquorice + mint]
2. What are you best known for?
Getting things done, rather than simply talking about it!
My recent book with new RIBA President, Alan Jones on ‘Defining Contemporary Professionalism’ + my work following on from this on ‘Defining the Future Profession/al’.
Innovation in models of learning and teaching in my Masters Professional Studies Unit at the Manchester School of Architecture, where my focus is on the future of the Architect [Individual, Firm, Profession, Education]. Students bring in their studio ethos/ethics to explore efficiency + effectiveness in the design/redesign of vehicles [procedures, processes, models] of ‘Architectural production’ in the widest sense of the words + the design/redesign of the complex/contradictive systems, upon which they sit [Political, Environmental, Socio-Cultural, Legal, Environmental, etc.]
The Masters Atelier CP [Contested Peripheries] and subsequently the CPU [Complexity Planning & Urbanism] Atelier + associated CPU Research Lab [co-founded with my long-term collaborator Ulysses Sengupta], which operates at the bleeding edge of Architecture as a disciplinary + trans-disciplinary endeavor. We work within a Complexity Theory framework used to understand the relationship between digital innovation + urban transformation through design, urban studies, digital simulation + data analysis.
My work leading Employability, Employment & Enterprise where I had responsibility for external engagement resulting in the school rising up to 6th in the World in the QS rankings in my time in the role. My focus is now on the internationalization strategy for the School, which I feel has major importance in light of Brexit – diversity + mobility are the lifeblood of a country, a city + of our profession/ industry.
3. How did we meet?
We are fellow Mancunians! An hour meeting became a whole day of thought-provoking discussion, including your impromptu participation in an industry panel for our 2nd + 3rd year undergraduates + we have stayed in touch with my visiting to NYC this summer.
4. How did you get here?
I know no-one who I went to school with who continued to university. In fact, I was told not to bother going forward from high school as my teachers, I was, in fact, badly [undiagnosed] dyslexic.
I persevered --although struggled-- through college as the first in my family to go into higher education. Without a grant + working while studying [stocking shelves in supermarkets + a milk-round], I would not have been able to attend university, but once there I started to do well. Also, because my tutor [in my final year of undergraduate study] saw there was a disparity between my verbal performance and my reading/writing output, my dyslexia was diagnosed. Then we developed a mindset, skillset + toolset to excel + realized it was an asset. This experience taught me the importance of mentors + I have always sought the right mentors ever since.
I had studied my undergrad in UK + abroad but as I was originally from Manchester, I gravitated back to the city + moved into an old Jacobean Hall which was a student digs with some old undergraduate friends. I was working in publishing to fund travelling taking few years away from my studies. I then decided to complete my Masters in Manchester.
I qualified + worked for several small rural practices, followed by practice like Sami Mousavi [Architect of Rome Mosque with Paulo Portugesi], Stirling Prize-winners Hodder + Partners and a large practice ASL and I eventually started a practice with a good friend called Re:Form.
I had always taught since Graduation from Masters at several Schools of Architecture + this eventually led to my return to Academia full-time in 2012.
5. What are you compensated to do (job)?
To be an academic, teaching Professional Studies/ Studio and leading International strategy/ external engagement for the school.
6. What do you like to do?
Watch lower division football [Soccer] – Stockport County is my team.
7. Can you suggest a book?
Generally – Hariri’s ‘Sapians’ or ‘Homo Deus’
Architecturally - Chappell’s ‘Architect in Practice ‘, Bernstein et al’s ‘Goat Rodeo’ Deutsch’s ‘Superusers’, Alexanders ‘A Pattern Language’.
8. What is the best lesson you have taught someone?
To be an adaptable hybrid – a Key-Shaped rather than T-Shaped person, able to change, therefore having future resilience.
A Jack/Jill of all trades + master/mistress of one - But to be aware that the ‘one’ may change as the job role you end up doing might not exist yet, using tools that don’t exist yet, doing services that don’t exist yet, for a client that does not exist yet.
9. Where do you go to find inspiration?
1. Studio - When working late for off-piste discourse with the students
2. My family home – objective discussions with my father-in-law coming from another professional discipline [medicine]
3. The top of ‘Kinder Scout’ in the Peak District between Manchester + Sheffield.
10. Favorite city and why?
As a Manc, I have to say Manchester. It’s very diverse having the largest student campus in Europe Also Helsinki, because it is walkable, friendly + has great nightlife.
11. What is your fondest memory?
Helping my grandfather take electrical equipment apart + then ‘try’ to put the pieces back together.
12. What advice would you give to future generations?
Change is good + embrace it, but do not think that the older generations don’t have insight.
Technology changes, but human behavior remains very much the same.
Learn from others mistakes to get further, faster.
Always remember to back-cast to be able to forecast.
13. What would you tell your younger self?
Do it [+ ask permission later].
14. Who mentored you and what did they teach you?
Bob Lowe, who is currently at UCLA [who taught me at Undergraduate]. He gave me confidence with my dyslexia + made me realize that is an asset of great value.
Ex- head of School in Manchester, Tom Jefferies, who was my Masters studio tutor + demonstrated that truly excellent Architectural education allows emergence [bottom-up, rather than top-down], creating diversity of ideas + solutions in a poly-cultural studio environment.
Current Joint head of school Ola Uduku, who has been a fantastic mentor since arriving, critically helping me focus to allow maximized impact on effort.
15. Message in a show or film that resonated with you. What was the film, what was the message?
"Always look on the bright side of life.” –Monty Python’s Life of Brian
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop + look around once in a while, you could miss it” – Ferris Beuller
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