Meet AIU Faculty/Staff
Meet Leith Adjina
Degrees:
- Postgraduate Diploma in Architecture – University of Westminster (formerly The Polytechnic of Central London
- B.A. (Hons) - University of Westminster (formerly The Polytechnic of Central London)
- Certificate in Virtual Reality – University of Teeside
- Diploma in Craniosacral Therapy – London College of Cranioscral Therapy
Leith Ajinia was born in UK to Anglo-Iraqi parents. He has lived in Yorkshire, London, Bagdad, Paris and Berlin.
He is Director of la_praxis ltd, registered in London and operating in London and Berlin. He says, "I set up la_praxis to bring my increasingly diverse professional activities and interests under one structure. la_praxis combines professional services for architecture, education and health.
Personal situation:
I live happily with my wife, Suzanne, and our two daughters, Alice and Elinor, in Berlin Germany.
Teaching philosophy:
"As design is the core of our subject I try to generate a pro-active interest in design issues, through research, discussion, field trips and presentations.
"When applicable I introduce aspects of leading edge design thinking and encourage the students to keep up to date and critically aware of current trends within the contemporary conceptual field .e.g. Biomimetics, the rapidly expanding field of the study of form, structure and process in the natural world which is animating much leading edge design, which is integrated into INT 305 Introduction to Detailing.
"I encourage students to continuously challenge their assumptions about design, principally through the question 'what can this be?', working from basic principles up to be fully aware of the contingent opportunities which give rise to form and space. i.e re-imagining function, ergonomics, shape, structure, material, envelope, finish etc for any given project.
"If I become aware of contemporary technical developments which I believe it valuable for students to be aware of or have access to, I will introduce them to the relevant class (e.g. Ecotect, low cost building energy modelling software, developed in 2006, and shortly to be directly linked to UK Building Regulations, introduced to INT 304 Building Systems and Codes).
"Ideally I would like the students to enjoy their study projects at every stage and always have a critical but optimistic attitude to their work and creative development, to this end I consider it part of my task as a teacher to provide a tone of optimism and enjoyment in the class.
This necessitates being very aware of how I teach, not just what I teach.
"This is mostly an issue of personality, and I do my best to present and encourage enthusiasm, optimism, interest, curiosity, participation, team spirit and a general belief that a student can do their best if they work together with a committed professional attitude.
I avoid any behaviour which will hinder student growth, ie. negative criticism and authoritarianism.
"Lastly, and maybe most importantly, I make an effort to enjoy teaching the class, and let the students know I enjoy it too!"
Learned Society Memberships
- Life Quality International
- HeartMath
- Institute of Noetic Science 'Shift in Action' program
- Amnesty International
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