Andrew Gillespie Trust

Andrew Gillespie, Chile, 2015

Vision and Mission

The mission of the Andrew Gillespie Trust is to encourage collaborative learning for architecture students who want to make the world a physically better place. To enable this we fund Collaborative Practice Pilgrimage, a scholarship grant for a group of three students to travel and see the completed works of one architect or architectural practice. Following their travels and through collective reflection, the students will together generate works of art charting their pilgrimage experience and learning.

Collaborative Practice Pilgrimage is the vision of Andrew Gillespie, who himself benefitted professionally and personally from architectural pilgrimages as a student, practising architect, and tutor of Architectural Design. Andrew’s passion for learning and working with others spurred him to develop the idea for this scholarship as he battled metastatic cancer. His vision is being realised through the Andrew Gillespie Trust and supported by the countless friends, colleagues, and students who he impacted during his life and career.

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Andrew at Pier Arts Centre, 2022

Andrew Gillespie

Andrew Gillespie was an especially passionate and talented Architect. Originally from the north of Scotland, Andrew completed his Bachelor’s degree in Architectural Design at the University of Edinburgh, his Master’s Degree at the University of Strathclyde, and his Part Three Qualification at the University of Newcastle. Andrew was a highly regarded student and was awarded the Professor Charles Gourlay Memorial Prize for his master’s dissertation. During his postgraduate studies he served as President of the Student Architecture Society, A@131.

Despite his relatively short career, Andrew was an important part of some of the most interesting architectural practices and projects in Scotland. This included LDN Architects, HTA Design, McGinlay Bell, Fraser/Livingstone Architects, K-ARC, and Pend Architects. During his time at these practices, Andrew was involved in projects around Scotland and England, such as the refurbishment plans for Gillespie Kidd and Coia’s iconic St Peter’s Seminary in Cardross, several housing development projects of differing scales, and the design and construction of Simon Square, a cross-laminated timber building which has since earned multiple awards locally and nationally for its innovation and design.

In addition to his skill as a practitioner, Andrew also had a natural affinity for teaching and mentoring. In 2019 he began tutoring students of architecture at the University of Strathclyde and latterly began mentoring postgraduate students in addition; these were roles he held particularly dear and remained dedicated to even as his health declined.

Although impressive, highlighting Andrew’s career accomplishments fails to capture the depth of his passion for the built environment, his love of analysing it with anyone willing (Architect or not), and his dreams of adding his own stamp to the landscape. He had an excitement for architecture that was evident and infectious, as was his smile and encouraging nature. He made an instant and lasting impression on his peers, teachers, colleagues, and students, both personally and professionally.

Andrew enjoyed several Architectural pilgrimages throughout his studies and career- he travelled to France, Switzerland, Finland, Chile, Denmark, Portugal, and throughout the UK. He reflected on all of these pilgrimages as hugely beneficial, but realised he gained more from the trips when he was with others. As his career progressed he became insistent that Architects learn more and produce better outcomes when they work collaboratively, rather than in isolation.

It was this belief that catalysed his idea for Collaborative Practice Pilgrimage. Andrew wanted to enable students to experience architecture around the world as he had- within a group of peers that fostered curiosity, experimentation, and development.

Andrew died from metastatic acral melanoma in May 2023. He spent time during his last months developing and communicating his vision for Collaborative Practice Pilgrimage and asked his loved ones to carry this forward on his behalf. As trustees, it is a role we consider an honour and privilege. We thank you, as did Andrew, for your support of the Trust and in turn for Collaborative Practice Pilgrimage.

— Lauren Gillespie, Andy Bevan, Charlie Bevan, Ryan Canning, and Ross Cameron
Trustees of the Andrew Gillespie Trust

Project sketch by Andrew Gillespie

Collaborative Practice Pilgrimage

Collaborative Practice Pilgrimage (CPP) provides up to £3000 as a travel scholarship. This funding will enable a pilgrimage for three students to visit one architect or architectural practice during the summer holidays. The pilgrimage itself will be designed by the successful applicants. Currently the Andrew Gillespie Trust will provide funding for one group each year.

Required Outputs:

  • One photo essay charting their pilgrimage journey and capturing their collaborative learning
  • A portfolio of collaborative artworks, such as hand drawings or visualisations (minimum five)
  • In addition to the above, the returning students may be invited to present about their pilgrimage at departmental and/or Andrew Gillespie Trust events.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • All applicants must be at least 18 years old by the time of travel
  • All applicants must be current students within the Architectural Design Programme at Strathclyde University.
  • All applicants must agree to comply with the terms as set by the Andrew Gillespie Trust, including to provide the requested outputs following the completed pilgrimage. A full set of these terms is provided at interview stage.

Application Timeline 2025:

  • Applications open 20th January
  • Completed applications should be submitted by 17:00 on 28th February
  • Shortlisted applicants contacted and asked to attend an interview w/c 24th March
  • Applicants informed of outcome by early April

Applications for 2025 are not yet open. The application form will be available here in January 2025.

About

The five trustees of the Andrew Gillespie Trust are dedicated to carrying forward his vision for Collaborative Practice Pilgrimage.

Lauren Gillespie - Chair

Lauren lives in Edinburgh and splits her time between frontline social work and studying for a PhD. Her and Andrew met in 2012 and married in 2017. Lauren embraced Andrew’s passion for the built environment and considers herself an unofficial student of Architecture. Since ‘holiday’ and ‘pilgrimage’ were interchangeable for Andrew, Lauren accompanied him on countless journeys to visit buildings around the world. Carrying on his legacy through the Trust is now one of her greatest joys.

Andy Bevan - Treasurer

Andy has worked within the Third Sector for over a decade, holding positions of leadership at an international NGO, serving on boards, and helping charities develop sustainable funding models. Andy will be forever grateful for his friendship with Andrew and learnt a lot about ‘people and place’ through knowing him. It’s an honour to help bring Andrew’s vision for the Trust to reality.

Charlie Bevan - Secretary

Charlie Bevan is the Program Director for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh, a prestigious scholarship programme for talented young people from across Africa. Charlie was a close friend of Andrew’s and counts it an honour to serve the Trust in his memory.

Ryan Canning - Trustee

Ryan is an architect and startup founder based in Glasgow. He and Andrew met in 2014 at the University of Strathclyde, becoming close friends and subsequently travelling together on many trips over the years. These included an exchange semester in Chile and visits to see the work of various architects and practices including Alvar Aalto in Finland, Álvaro Siza in Portugal and Le Corbusier in France.

Ross Cameron - Trustee

Ross is an architect who teaches and works in Glasgow. He studied and taught with Andrew at the University of Strathclyde, worked with him in private practice in Glasgow, and traveled with him on pilgrimages to see the works of various architects and practices. Ross brings experience in architecture and teaching to the Trust.

Contact

If you have any questions please contact us at [email protected]