Professor Steve Fotios

My teaching discusses heating, ventilation and lighting services using a bottom-up approach, questioning firstly whether there is a need for particular services, and then whether provision be met through design of the building form and format – a mixture of conservation and passive approaches. Is it possible for dwellings in the UK to be comfortable in winter without mechanical heating systems?

Of course in many situations mechanical systems are needed, and thus services are discussed to give the architect sufficient ideas for practice: what services are needed, where are the main items located and what size are they, and what questions should I ask the building services consultant?

These ideas are delivered through lectures and tutorials for studio projects. Currently, my teaching centres on two areas:

• Supervision of PhD students investigating lighting
• Part I and II: Environmental design - lighting

This is what a former student thought of my teaching:

Of course, any new housing wouldn’t be complete without insulation and central heating! This was the first time we have ever done a detailed services task and I think my naivety probably came through as this assignment took far longer than anticipated! However, Steve Fotios – a very enthusiastic module leader who remained passionate about every type of radiator, ventilation system and water system – had produced detailed notes which were a massive help! It is also worth mentioning that this submission wouldn’t have been the same without our very own tutorials from an ARUP engineer!

Jordan Egglestone

Who says architects only draw pretty pictures? (Jegglestone, Wordpress)