ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the origins of live projects within the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) as a means to critically consider their societal impact and professional efficacy. The RIBA's less than sympathetic report on Birmingham's 10-year-old live project program may well have deterred live project intentions of other UK schools of architecture. While the activities taking place within these live projects were considered good preparation for practice by the trade press, the RIBA's report established a pedagogical fissure between their ideals for architectural education and those of practicing architects. UK schools of architecture offer far fewer institutionally supported live project opportunities than their US counterparts. In the UK, live projects are generally offered as an adjunct to design studio, whereas in the United States, many are delivered through one of over 50 NAAB accredited community design centres.
