100 years/100 books: School of Architecture and Planning Centenary, 1917-2017
Library Exhibition Series No. 6. Beautiful Theses: Students as Book Designers

The sixth instalment in the 100 years/100 books exhibition series, entitled Beautiful Theses: Students as Book Designers is currently on display in the Architecture and Planning Library.

The exhibition celebrates theses created by the School’s senior students over the years and are only a fraction of our unique collection. Curated by Michael Milojevic, School of Architecture and Planning Professional Teaching Fellow, those displayed have been selected because they are “beautiful objects”. Covers range from silver buckram, purple velvet, white on white and canvas, while the pages are filled with beautiful typography, detailed drawings and photographic images. Some theses are also accompanied by associated models which have been loaned to us for the purpose of this display.

Also on display next to the exhibition of student theses is a PhD Tower. This has been constructed out of PhDs submitted by current or former School of Architecture and Planning staff. This includes Urban environment for old people: The individual dwelling and the common meeting place, by former senior lecturer John Dickson, which was the very first PhD submitted for the school in 1967.

This exhibition coincided with the main centenary events, where those visiting the library as part of the celebration were fascinated by this selection of skilled and beautiful work produced by our students. The School of Architecture and Planning celebrated its history and success. This display highlights another reason it can be very proud – the work produced by those who pass through it.

Sarah Cox, Architecture Archivist; Johanna Holzke, Library Assistant, Architecture and Planning Library