Learning is a complex process. In the Architectural Technology programme, the challenge is ensuring that students are assisted in making connections between information, knowledge and technical skills. The undergraduate Architectural Technology curriculum covers a broad range of disparate subjects. Students are sometimes expected to learn and ' actively' demonstrate competency in all areas of practise from design and construction document preparation, construction materials and methods, building codes and specifications, to contracts administration, and completing a design project. Learning, as a reflective process of acquiring and applying knowledge can sometimes become lost in the academic spectrum of curricula. A constant review of curricula and teaching methods is therefore important. The Architectural Technology ( AT) programme at the University of Brighton during their latest review of teaching and learning methods have embraced a different approach to engaging students and promoting active learning. This academic session, the activity week, a week of non- traditional learning activities for students across the built environment and civil engineering division was translated into a block design week for the AT students. The aim was to design a week long programme during which elements of design ( architectural structures in this instance) are emphasised and applied. The ' design challenge' this time was to design a fully demountable temporary exhibition pavilion for the Moulsecoomb campus. Steve Hole MCIAT, CIAT South East Region CPD Officer started the students off with a captivating brainstorming session. Students were then allocated into workgroups and all tasks were restricted to the hours between 9am - 5pm as much as possible. An additional constraint was that the de- briefing took place at 9am on the Monday morning and the project had to be delivered within one week. The requirement meant that finished work including physical design and detailed models were ready to be presented and exhibited by 3pm on the Friday. The design week was piloted* in this academic session with second year students only. During the week of intense activity, students through experiential learning gained new knowledge and improved design skills as well as soft skills; interpersonal skills and time management etc. Altogether, both staff and students considered it a worthwhile experience with the hope that skills acquired through this experience will be beneficial in the long term and translated to the main design project for the year and beyond. * The pilot is funded by the Higher Education Academy's Centre for Education in the Built Environment ( CEBE). Drs. Kemi Adeyeye, Poorang Piroozfar and Noel Painting teach on the Architectural Technology programme at the University of Brighton. For more information, please contact any of them via the school's website: www. brighton. ac. uk/ set BRIGHTONDESIGN Design Week at the University of Brighton is an opportunity for students to learn some of the vital skills involved in Architectural Technology. Dr. Kemi Adeyeye ACIAT explains how it all works. " Having the creativity and knowledge to construct something in a week shows determination and character, and the drive to learn. All round, it was very educational." Christian Faulkner, Year 2 AT student " My main lesson from the week...? Building a model helps to demonstrate how you would build in real life." Martin Rutherford, Year 2 AT student Designing the future Above: Test and working models produced in the course of the week. ATMARCH- APRIL2010 25

There are many opportunities and rewards for businesses to adopt sustainable practices. With a vast range of technologies to choose from, the only question is which is the right sustainable solution to implement in the move to the low carbon economy? The answers can be found at NEMEX - the UK's largest and longest- running exhibition and networking event for the energy and renewables industries. Taking place at the NEC, Birmingham on 20- 22 April 2010, NEMEX brings together energy executives and decision makers across a range of industries, all shaping the UK business approach to the latest energy challenges. Exhibiting With over 100 companies already signed up to exhibit, NEMEX will once again provide the UK's best forum for procurers and providers of the latest innovations and solutions in energy management systems and energy efficient technologies. The statistics speak for themselves: of the 7,725 attendees at Sustainabilitylive! in 2009, 30% were seeking energy management systems, 30% were searching for renewable energy technologies and 25% were looking for low carbon technologies. Seminar programme The 2010 NEMEX programme is set to be a real highlight of the show, hosting not one, but two seminar theatres, highlighting the importance of the energy sector in responding to today's business challenges. These free seminars will cover a wide range of relevant topics, including behavioural change, energy in buildings, renewables and co- generation, ICT, energy standards, power supply and quality, demand response as well as CRC and other regulations. Associated events If the packed NEMEX seminar programme and exhibition aren't enough, there's more on offer. The Major Energy Users Council ( MEUC) will be holding a members- only meeting, where experts will discuss the chaos facing large energy customers such as unpredictable prices, uncertain supplies and heavy carbon taxes. Meanwhile, UK Trade & Investment continues its long- standing relationship with Sustainabilitylive!, hosting another of its hugely successful Meet the Buyer events. Buyers from China, Egypt, Mexico, and will be visiting the show and meetings can be made via an online booking system. Low carbon transport As warnings come of the need for urgent action to prepare for the consequences of global oil production rates peaking in the next five years, Sustainabilitylive! 2010 introduces a new focus on the low carbon transport challenge. The green transport area will host a dedicated zone including Birmingham University's hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, LowCVP, Peugeot and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, while the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership is holding a one- day seminar. The Environment and Energy Awards With eleven categories covering key areas in the environment, land, energy and sustainability sectors, the Environment and Energy Awards are a real showcase for the best in sustainable business practice. Highlights include the ESTA- sponsored Energy Manager of the Year, the NEMEX Renewables Innovation Award, sponsored by British Gas Business, and the Energy Product/ Service award, sponsored by the Energy Institute. Sign up today To register for free attendance and get up-to- the- minute news on exhibitors and the features programme, visit www. sustainabilitylive. com or call + 44 ( 0) 20 8651 7106. CIAT will be exhibiting on Stand 565. PREVIEW 26ATMARCH- APRIL2010 Ahead of April's Sustainability Live exhibition at Birmingham NEC, we give you a sneak peek at NEMEX's energy- conscious events Sustainability Live preview Right: The masses arrive at last year's exhibition NEMEX will once again provide the UK's best forum for procurers and providers of the latest innovations