Centre for the Arts and Design in the Environment (CADE)

The Centre for the Arts and Design in the Environment (CADE) has been part of Writtle College for over 10 years, based within Writtle School of Design (WSD) it exists to extend and enrich the student experience across the College. In addition CADE works to enhance the College environment for all who study and work there.

CADE provides a means through which expertise and cross-disciplinary work can be enabled to both flow out of and into the academic life of the College. This is achieved by:

• engaging with local, regional and national organisations to promote arts and design for cultural, social, educational and economic benefits.
• bringing together and taking part in cross-disciplinary projects, research and conferences allowing professionals to benefit from new ways of seeing and doing.
• enriching the lives of those associated with Writtle College through the use of the arts and design.

Research ranges over a wide spectrum. The Centre has investigated using the skills of a professional photographer to enable students of design to capture the concept of community and view space by imaginative means. A new media artist and a mosaic artist have developed their artistic practices with plant scientists and landscape managers. Many projects have involved working with professional artist and designers exchanging expertise with schools, hospitals, local community groups and industry. CADE has instigated collaborative projects between students, staff and resident artists including: Jim Buchanan, Stephanie Bunn, Gordon Flemons, David Leviatin, Marie-Claude Quignon, Lynn Schwartz, Anne Schwegmann-Fielding, Tim Skinner, Valerie Tuillier and Lisa Temple-Cox.

Consultancies have involved concept designs for the courtyards of a major hospital development, with an emphasis on the well being of patients, staff and visitors. Information sharing is fostered through holding and contributing to conferences to enable the exchange of ideas between those involved in the arts and design, education and those who manage the environment. Previous events have covered subjects such as ‘Sculpting the Landscape with Soil’, ‘Agriculture and Art - cultivating successful outcomes’, ‘Space to Work’ and ‘Space to Work – making it happen’.

The innovative fusion of skill in art and design combined with the College’s academic strengths provide new educational opportunities at Writtle which contribute to the wider community and cultural vibrancy of the eastern regions as a whole.

For more details see the CADE website: http://cade.writtle.ac.uk.