Mr Alexander Screech
Profiles

Mr Alexander Screech

Associate Lecturer

School of Art, Design and Architecture (Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business)

Biography

Biography

Associate Lecturer in Architecture Stage 1 - Design Studio | Technology | History and Theory | Communication 
Stage 2+3 - History and Theory 
Architectural Studies | HKU Space Hong Kong
Subject Lead | Architectural Foundation Studies | UPIC
Alexander obtained his degree in Architecture and Master of Architecture with an elective module in Architectural Conservation at the University of Plymouth. He continued his interest in conservation philosophy and the historic environment subsequently gaining a Master of Arts in Architectural Conservation at the University of Plymouth. He has worked for one of the most prominent architectural conservation practices in the South West as a senior member of the design team and an Architectural Conservation Advisor. He has undertaken and co-ordinated architectural conservation projects for The National Trust and most notably a large re-ordering scheme to Stoke Damerel Church in Plymouth for the Parochial Church Council and Exeter Diocese Advisory Committee. He has recently completed the Professional Development in Academic Practice (PDAP) course achieving a Distinction at the University of Plymouth and subsequently gaining Associate Fellowship of The Higher Education Academy. 

Qualifications

BA (Hons) Architecture (University of Plymouth)
(M.Arch) Master of Architecture (University of Plymouth)
(MA) Architectural Conservation (University of Plymouth)
(PDAP) Professional Development in Academic Practice (University of Plymouth)

Professional membership

Associate Fellow of The Higher Education Academy (AFHEA)
Teaching

Teaching

Teaching interests

From 2019 as part of the Guest Lecture Series (GLS) for HTCC501 (History and Theory) module, Alexander has proposed a question that examines the gentrification of social housing and how this is exacerbating the current UK housing crisis. Analysing bias government policies, housing market renewal (HMR) and specific architectural precedents, he explores how the dilution of government owned social housing stock and systemic estate regeneration programmes are displacing working class communities and creating isolation for residents.
The line of enquiry examines the bias portrayal of social housing as an initial stage within the gentrification process and examines the use of virtual reality (VR) as a tool for marketing private off-plan dwellings. The process of inner-urban land acquisition undertaken by institutions (estate agents, developers and regeneration agencies) who identify market trends within the housing market through HMR will also be interrogated. Urban gentrification is catalysing the densification of working class residents and increasing the current rent gap. This process is having a detrimental impact on living standards creating 21st Century slums. 
Decades of stock transference and Right to Buy (RTB) acquisition which has lead to a depleted government owned housing stock will be examined through the potential economic barriers that prevent many community focused urban regeneration schemes from buying back former council houses. Further examining how private development companies undertake viability assessments which overestimate costs and underestimate potential profit limiting the level of 'affordable' homes which are included within new proposals. Currently gentrification is socially sterilising and marginalising the most vulnerable communities with many forcibly evicted. With a severe reduction in mass housing provision and an ever-increasing private domination of the housing system millions of people are unable to have a right to a home. 
Research

Research

Research interests

In 2015 whilst undertaking his MA Architectural Conservation dissertation, Alexander focused his research on the potential adaptability of the previously neglected social housing within the post-industrial settlement of Nelson, Lancashire. The specific focus for this enquiry was the repopulation of these dwellings to provide homes for vulnerable communities though the implementation of architectural conservation praxis. Undertaking condition surveys of the historic fabric he produced several site responsive proposals that had varying levels of reversibility.