May 11 2007
A Seminar for Young European Architects
Keynote address by Klaus Töpfer, Former Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Wednesday 30 May, 12.30-6pm
RIBA, 66 Portland Place London W1B 1AD
Followed by a reception at the Residence of the German Ambassador to open the exhibition ‘EXPORT' – Architecture Made in Germany’ 6- 8.30pm
What is the role of the current generation of young architects in responding to climate change and the wider sustainability agenda? How can they respond, adapt and lead? This seminar will combine both visionary and pragmatic thinking to explore how the world might change over the next thirty years and how this could affect architects and the careers of anyone working to shape the built environment.
Devised by young practising architects and organised in partnership with the German Embassy during Germany’s EU presidency, it is designed to create opportunities for young architects and professionals from across Europe currently working in the UK, to debate these issues and develop valuable networks for continuing discussion.
This seminar will address the future of cities, sustainable design in practice, innovative solutions and communicating sustainability, using panel discussions and parallel breakout sessions to encourage debate and audience participation. Speakers include; Klaus Töpfer, former head of the United Nations Environment Programme, Stefan Behnisch, distinguished German architect; Charles Secrett, Climate and Sustainability Advisor to the Mayor of London; and Pooran Desai, Sustainability Director, BioRegional Quintain, and Director, One Planet Living initiative. The event will be chaired by Pascale Scheurer , Director, Surface to Air Architects and Chair, RIBA Young Practitioners Panel.
The parallel sessions will address the following areas:
Sustainability and Cities
Panel discussion. Speakers include: Charles Secrett - Climate and Sustainability Advisor to the Mayor of London and Stefan Behnisch - Behnisch Architeckten
The future of cities will shape the future of our planet. Over half the world’s population now lives in cities, and together they are responsible for over 75% of human CO2 emissions. But many cities are taking a lead in developing innovative solutions. How must our thinking and our approach to city planning and management, and to building design, change to create socially, environmentally and economically sustainable cities?
Sustainability and Creative Innovation
Led by Peter Gingold - Director, TippingPoint
The sustainability challenge demands that we think out of the box and come up with radical innovations that could transform our societies. Scientists, designers, engineers, thinkers and artists can all help us to create new and innovative solutions. What might those solutions be, and how might society look in 50 years time?
Sustainability in Practice
Led by Pooran Desai - Sustainability Director, Bioregional Quintain and Director of One Planet Living
Leading architects, designers, urbanists and others are already working with public authorities and developers to produce schemes that explore and pave the way for new design solutions for sustainable communities and low-carbon living. What practical lessons can be learned so far, in both the design and the procurement process, and what new ideas are on the drawing board?
Communicating Sustainability
Led by David Willans, Consultant and Kirsty Gogan, Head of PR, Futerra
In a world crowded with information, how do professionals involved in the built environment get up to speed with sustainability issues and approaches and themselves play a leading role in proposing and communicating sustainable solutions to their colleagues and potential clients? This session explores the knowledge and information challenge.
The seminar is from 12.30-6pm and is followed by the opening of the exhibition 'EXPORT' and reception at the residence of the German ambassador between 6-8.30pm (coaches will be provided).
The exhibition 'EXPORT' highlights a variety of projects from 15 German architects who are building around the world. Work from large practices with international offices to young architects will be shown and includes examples of competitions, work in the planning stages and built projects and examines the context and marketing of the ‘export’ and the image of German architecture abroad.
Tickets cost £35 including VAT. The event is valid for five hours CPD. For further information and a booking form please visit www.architecture.com/programmes; you can also contact: [email protected]