Sarah Wigglesworth facts for kids

Sarah Wigglesworth was born in London on May 16, 1957. She is a famous British architect. She also taught architecture as a professor at the University of Sheffield until 2016.

Building a Better World

Starting Her Own Company

Sarah Wigglesworth started her own architecture company in 1994. Her company is known for designing buildings that are good for the environment. They use special materials that save energy. This is called sustainable architecture.

The Straw Bale House

One of her most famous designs is the Straw Bale House in Islington, London. This house was built for Sarah Wigglesworth and her partner, Jeremy Till. It also served as an office for her company.

The house is special because it's made from unusual materials. These include straw bales, sandbags filled with cement, and recycled concrete. Sarah wanted to show that "green buildings" could be modern and fit into city life. The house was even shown on the TV show Grand Designs in 1999.

Teaching and Research

From 1999 to 2016, Sarah Wigglesworth was a professor at the University of Sheffield. She started a special program there in 2002. Her teaching often connected with her real-life building projects. She studied how architects actually work.

She also led a project about designing homes and neighborhoods for older people. This research helped create better living spaces for them.

Awards and Recognition

In 1991, Sarah Wigglesworth and Jeremy Till were the first architects to receive the Fulbright Arts Fellowship. This is a special award for artists.

Sarah was given an MBE award in 2004. In 2012, she made history by becoming the first woman to receive the Royal Designer for Industry award for architecture. This is a very important award in design.

Designing for People and Nature

Besides the Straw Bale House, Sarah Wigglesworth designed the Sandal Magna School. This school is a great example of a building that saves energy. Sarah also believes that people who will use a building should help design it.

Her Mellor Primary School in Mellor has special areas for plants and animals. It also helps students learn about nature. The school's design helps kids interact with their building.

Supporting Women in Architecture

Sarah Wigglesworth is a strong supporter of women in architecture. In 1995, she helped create an exhibition and book called Desiring Practices: Architecture, Gender and the Interdisciplinary. This project looked at how gender affects architectural work. She has also spoken out about how the architecture world needs to better support female students and professionals.

Notable Works

Here are some of Sarah Wigglesworth's important projects:

• Straw Bale House and office, London (2001) – This building won an RIBA Award.
• Classroom of the Future, Sheffield (2005) – Also won an RIBA Award.
• Siobhan Davies Dance Studios, London (2006) – Received an RIBA Award.
• Cremorne Riverside Centre, London (2008) – Another RIBA Award winner.
• Heathfield Children's Centre, London (2008)
• Sandal Magna Community Primary School, Wakefield (2010) – Won an RIBA Award.
• Mellor Primary School, Stockport (2015) – Received an RIBA Award.
• Deborah House Artist Studios (2015)

Personal Life

Sarah Wigglesworth grew up in north London. She went to Camden School for Girls. She studied architecture at the University of Cambridge from 1976 to 1983. She graduated with high honors.

Her long-term partner is Jeremy Till. He is currently the Head of Central Saint Martins. He is also a Pro Vice Chancellor at the University of the Arts London.

See also

In Spanish: Sarah Wigglesworth para niños