Dr Zoe Latham

The Global Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Zoe's work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

About Zoe

Biography

Dr Zoe Latham is lecturer and researcher with a background in architectural practice. Her recently completed PhD argues for a re-conceptualisation and extension of place theory within architectural praxis, examining the alignment between place and ritual theory as a way to better understand phenomenon that inform a greater connectivity between embodied, situated and meaningful experiences with the environment. This ritualized connection extends beyond mere doing and evokes cultivation of a deeper sensibility of and towards place. Present here is recognition of the role the body and ritual plays in enabling the formation of this sensibility of place. These theoretical ideas are advanced through various forms of situated and narratological praxes such as autoethnography, storytelling, cognitive mapping and film.

Preceding her return to academia, Zoe worked as an architectural designer in New York, concentrating on adaptive reuse, regeneration and conservation of architecture. Prior to working in the USA, Zoe worked in Shenzhen, China for two years; working on high-end interior design, conceptual architectural and landscape design.

More resent research engages local communities and environmental groups in a range of participatory workshops relating to understanding and communicating complex place relations can be found at the following link to a visual archive: https://mappingplace.org/

Teaching

UG Architecture Ba Yr 1 Module Leader for Design and Communication Modules

UG Architecture Ba Yr 3 Studio Tutor

HKU Space UG Architecture Ba Yr 3 Studio Tutor

PG M Arch Context For Praxis Studio Tutor

Other Academic Roles

ADA KE Strategic Group

Past teaching

(2021–2022) University of Plymouth International College Foundation in Architecture, Practical Design Skills, Associate Lecturer
(2019–present) BA (Hons) Architecture Year 1 Communication, Module Leader
(2017–present) BA (Hons) Architecture Year 1 Design Studio, Lecturer
2019 BA (Hons) Architecture Year 1 Design Studio project at Riverside Community Primary School nomination for RIBA MacEwen Award 'Multidisciplinary student team from University of Plymouth turn windswept hill into learning space':
https://www.ribaj.com/macewen-awards/macewen-awards-2020-university-of-plymouth-students-riverside-community-primary-school-plymouth-outdoor-classroom-firepit