How One Woman’s Vision Made the UK’s Best Hidden Gem

We were delighted to be contacted by Dr Yousif Al-Daffaie of Falmouth University's School of Architecture, Design and Interiors, to create a video looking at the Minack as a unique piece of architectural design. Dr Al-Daffaie spoke to member of the Minack staff and spent time in the theatre and with our archive resources, to create this fascinating video.

He even got photo-bombed by some prehistoric creatures!

Dr. Yousif Al-Daffaie is an international award-winning researcher in architecture who specialises in social architecture and cultural heritage. After completing his architectural engineering degree and becoming a certified architect in Jordan, he moved to the UK to pursue his MA in Architecture, where he focused on modern technologies like VR to create immersive virtual spaces.

Following his master's degree at the University for the Creative Arts, he began his PhD in Architecture, Design, and the Built Environment at Nottingham Trent University in 2019. While pursuing his doctorate, he worked as a part time lecturer and a researcher on funded research projects, before transitioning to a full-time lecturer position in 2022. His research focuses on the intangible and tangible heritage aspects of architecture, particularly engaging with local communities and utilising memory as a basis for spatial documentation. Then, when serving as a course leader for BA Interior Architecture and Design at Nottingham Trent University, Dr. Al-Daffaie has made significant contributions to updating curriculum content, implementing inclusive teaching practices, and introducing cutting-edge technologies into architectural education. His work has gained international recognition for his research, including appearances on CNN and publications in prominent journals such as Cities.

Yousif joined Falmouth University in March 2025, and is working as a Course Leader for both Interior Architecture and Interior Design.

See more videos by Dr Al-Daffaie on Youtube