framework for the implementation of a virtual design studio model in ...

Following the film screening with Neutral Film-makers Tapio and Christian, the
students were encouraged to embrace filmic language. The brief was to form
groups then collectively produce a three-minute film to convey their projected
strategy and encapsulate their design concept.
Facilitation: Small Cities /Big Neighbourhoods
From the outset Prof. Goodwin instilled a sense of community within the students
and focused on the social neighbourhood as a platform for their ideas. To begin,
he gave a broad overview of the small cities and big neighbourhoods, advocating
that the mix of people, opportunities, sense of identity and facilities are the most
important aspects of any social neighbourhood. As the project progressed he
became more specific, encouraging the students to enquire and create solutions
to problems such as climate change, sea level fluctuations and conflict. He asked
them to remember that these solutions must address human survival both socially
and physically as well as psychologically.
The project lent to multi-dimensional, multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary
viewpoints to broaden both the discourse and the video juxtaposition exhibitions.
The Neutral workshop taught the students how to communicate through an
accessible medium which added an authenticity to the project, allowing the
students to develop their ideas using filmic language and thought.
In particular, Prof. Goodwin exercised a PEST (Political, Economical, Social and
Technological) in every aspect of the project to encourage the students to shed
their initial preconceptions and consider every aspect of Cardiff’s infrastructure in
terms of its development. The lectures were delivered with the PEST analysis at
their core. This enabled the students to get an overview of the city and focus the
concentration their own ideas and belief systems.
Observers and supporters included Cardiff Council, Cardiff University and the
Welsh Assembly. First Minister Rhodri Morgan’s attendance to the initial informal
lunch gave the project a sense of prestige, which is crucial when attracting a
variety of industry experts, lecturers and students world-wide
Prof. Goodwin’s goal to encourage multi-disciplines within each group not only
served to achieve original, fresh ideas, but also to create tension. By intersecting
different age groups, cultural backgrounds and academic disciplines, the groups
were not only exposed to surface tensions such as communication boundaries and
conflicts of interest, but were also stimulated creatively. Although there were
some dramatic moments when one of the students refused to continue with the
project, the students appreciated the method of learning and found the space to
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