Mark Cousins, Dip Arch, MA Design, ARIAS, FRSA
Architecture Tutor

Architecture: School of Arts, Culture and Environment (ACE)
The University of Edinburgh
20 Chambers Street

Edinburgh
EH1 1JZ
Scotland, United Kingdom Email: mcousin1@staffmail.ed.co.uk
WWW: www.oliverchapmanarchitects.com
WWW: www.schop.org.uk

Profile

Architecture is often consigned to the role of ‘container’ for art. One aspect of Mark’s research aims to develop a greater knowledge and understanding of contemporary art and how architecture can accommodate the particular (and varied) demands of art production. He engages with ART (by examining the work of contemporary artists), SPACE (by exploring the specific oeuvre of contemporary architects) and NETWORK (by documenting existing galleries within the city). This research will inform current design proposals for a bespoke new gallery for the Edinburgh College of Art which is competing to secure the £3M Edinburgh Arts Prize.

The research is intended to challenge the traditional notion of the gallery as a mere enclosure for art. Today, however, we have to embrace the full panoply of visual media which can range from painting and sculpture to installations, performance, conceptual art, video, photography, and virtual reality. The question is whether architecture can mirror the richness, eclecticism and dynamism of art production today?

Biography/CV

Before being invited to join Oliver Chapman Architects as Associate Director, Mark had been Principal of 'STUDIO:M' and previously an Associate with Allan Murray Architects. Mark has over 20 years experience in architecture, especially the commercial sector having been architect for the award-winning ‘Tun’ and ‘Clock Tower’ (both at Holyrood). He has been a tutor with the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh College of Art for over 12 years. He is Chair of Publications and Reviews Editor for the AHSS as well as Managing Editor for the new ‘Architecture & …’ journal.

He also works with  Architecture + Design Scotland as an ‘Enabler’ championing quality in the built environment. Mark has acted as a design consultant for Whiteburn Projects advising on challenging city centre sites. To date, his career has combined practice (working in Germany before undertaking major developments such as ‘Saltire Court’ in Edinburgh), academia (teaching in Scotland and Australia) and publishing (writing for a variety of magazines and journals).