Radical Groundings
Winter School 2026
The 2026 Winter School was led by POoR Collective, a London-based social enterprise and architectural practice represented by Ben Spry and Larry Botchway, who were invited as Artists in Residence (AiRs) by the Head of Architecture, Janna Bystrykh.
Titled Radical Groundings: Social Imagination through Participatory Design, the Winter School encouraged students to engage critically and creatively with place, community and the social dimensions of design. Students worked on this year’s assignments, which were located across five assisted living sites in Amsterdam, four of which are managed by HVO Querido and one by Straatalliantie.
Ben and Larry shared their experiences and spoke with students throughout the programme, helping them to further develop their thoughts and ideas. Tutors Anna Torres, Jana van Hummel, Patrick Roegiers, Heather Stimpson and Michiel Huijben guided students through their process during the eight-day intensive course.
In this video, made by Astrid van Nimwegen, we look back on a colourful and inspiring Winter School.
Winter School 2026: Radical Groundings, video by Astrid van Nimwegen
POor Collective is Artist in Residence (AiR)
Larry Botchway
About Larry Botchway
BA(Hons) MA(RCA) ARB
Larry Botchway is an architect, tutor and engagement specialist with experience in a variety of sectors. He has significant experience in placemaking, designing buildings and developing urban strategies, with particular experience working with public sector clients, across the UK, including Hackney Council, Southwark Council, Lambeth Council, Bexley Council and Basildon Council. Having worked at We Made That, Haworth Tompkins Architects and Perpendicular Architecture, Botchway has notable experience working with cultural institutions, such as TATE, LW Theatres, London Theatre Company. He has experience working with artists and has collaborated with international research collectives such as Feral Atlas. Larry is on the board of trustees for School SOS, a Nomadic Not-For-Profit Critical Design School that seeks to challenge modes of delivering Higher Education in the UK. Botchway is also an Associate of the Quality of Life Foundation which is an UK charity committed to improving people’s quality of life by changing the way the housing industry and government acquires, plans, designs builds and manages homes and neighbourhoods.
Ben Spry
About Ben Spry
BA(Hons) MA(RCA) ARB
Ben Spry is an architect, tutor and public speaker. He has experience delivering healthcare schemes, social housing and cultural centers. Having worked across the London boroughs of Camden, Southwark, Hackney, Brent, Merton and Bexley, Spry has notable experience working on various different architecture projects. He has also delivered several co-design projects and creative workshops across England. Spry's previous experience includes working at architecture practices which include Fleet Architects, MUF, GortScott and Karakusevic Carson Architects. He has taught at the Architectural Association, participated in crits and talks at universities such as the Royal College of Art, Ravensbourne University and the University of Portsmouth. Spry has also been a part of groups such as the Architects Climate Action Network as a team leader spreading climate awareness within the construction industry and to the younger generation.
