Written by:
Guest Author
by Kirsty Lees
I had the enormous pleasure of representing Missing in Architecture and our ongoing collaboration with The Glass-House in the fourth iteration of the WEdesign programme in Glasgow.
This year’s Sharing Place theme aligned beautifully with the investigations undertaken by the Mackintosh School of Architecture’s Stage 4 students under the studio theme of Living in Agreement. This theme invites us to reflect on the many Glasgows that shape the diverse lived experiences of its inhabitants—our relationships with each other, our environment, and the ethical principles that bind us together. The ability of humans to intelligently organise ourselves as a society is one of our greatest collective assets. The Stage 4 studio briefs ask how we might use this intelligence today to shape a just and sustainable future. Through the lens of housing and public buildings, the studio explores how Glasgow’s city centre grid could be re-orientated more explicitly towards the common good and wider public benefit.
The WEdesign event provided a safe environment for students to test the applicability of their learning, engaging with a diverse cross-section of participants. This was particularly valuable for Stage 4 research students, who chose to expand their research capabilities beyond traditional dissertation formats, using the event as a case study to explore their own themes.
They designed the icebreaker exercise and led a team of facilitators drawn from different year groups, curating the event experience—from setting up Civic House to coordinating activities and documenting discussions. This year saw increased participation across the school, with students from second year through to taught Masters. The level of coordination and care they demonstrated—from planning through to post-event evaluation—was particularly impressive, given that most of the facilitators had not previously worked together.
This is testament to the supportive framework provided by The Glass-House, which offers structured sessions to help students develop their skills—from an introduction to co-design and facilitation guidance to reflective post-event discussions that elicit thoughtful questions and encourage deeper engagement at each stage.
The Sharing Place: Living in Agreement theme provided a strong foundation for conversation. On a typically cold Glasgow evening in late February, the warmth and conviviality of Civic House was heightened by the students’ thoughtful curation of the space, reinforcing the sense of being in safe hands.
Unlike previous years, which often culminated in clear calls to action, this year’s discussions were more reflective—perhaps influenced by the city’s 850th birthday, a milestone that encouraged both forward-looking aspirations and a deep appreciation of the past. The event prompted us to consider the terms of agreement for Glasgow’s next 850 years: How do we honour and value our shared histories? How can we facilitate conversations that respect differing perspectives on change? And how do we ensure that our evolving city continues to serve the common good?
What emerged was a recognition that space for shared dialogue is vital—not only to record collective memory and understand what we value, but also to create opportunities for inclusive conversations that honour multiple viewpoints and establish a foundation for meaningful, long-term change. The event underscored the power of dialogue, showing that the act of coming together—listening, reflecting, and co-creating—is itself an agreement, shaping how we envision the city’s future.
About the Author
Kirsty Lees – Stage 4 leader at MSA
Stage leader, Studio tutor, Early Career Researcher, member of Missing in Architecture, PG Certificate in Learning + Teaching 2019
Research Profile
Kirsty is the Stage 4 Leader at the Mackintosh School of Architecture (MSA), stepping into this role in 2023 after 15 years balancing architectural practice with part-time roles at MSA. Her teaching focuses on contemporary architectural practice in Glasgow, helping students navigate the complexities of building in the urban context in dialogue with the city and with each other.
In both teaching and practice, Kirsty consistently promotes collaborative working practices to explore our collective ability to deliver better buildings and places, more inclusive communities, and a sustainable environment.
Kirsty is also a member of Missing In Architecture, (MiA), a collaborative platform promoting equality, creativity, and action within education and the profession. MiA explores architecture through education, engagement, and research, with a strong focus on equality.