We are delighted to introduce Ben Spry and Larry Botchway of POor Collective (UK) as the Artists in Residence for Winter School 2026. Their practice, rooted in social engagement, collaborative design, and spatial justice, brings an energising perspective to this year’s interdisciplinary programme.
Our Winter School brings students together around a single, intensive assignment developed in an interdisciplinary context. Each team blends different academic years and degree programmes, fostering collaboration across design disciplines. Over one concentrated week – and one weekend – students independently and collectively explore an object, area or spatial challenge situated in the Netherlands. Landscape, urban and architectural design all play a role, guided each year by a head of department or guest curator.
With POor Collective as Artists in Residence, Winter School 2026 will encourage students to engage critically and creatively with place, community, and the social dimensions of design. Their experience in participatory processes and public-sector collaboration will offer invaluable insights for this year’s assignment.
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.
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.
We look forward to welcoming Ben Spry and Larry Botchway, and to an inspiring Winter School with our students, shaped by their vision and expertise.