RIBA's think tank introduces architects to the future

Date:

24 April 2008

Press office contact:

Mina Vadon
T: +44 (0)207 307 3761
E: mina.vadon@inst.riba.org

Date: 15 May 2008 Futures Fair: day conference (9.30am)
evening lecture (6.30pm)

Venue: RIBA, 66 Portland Place, London W1

In a time of economic uncertainty, how can we as professionals equip ourselves for unseen global events?
Globally, are places like Dubai already the ultimate in retail-leisure destination?
Who will actually be living in the 'cities in the future'?

The role of the construction industry is to build for the future, as well as the present, but the professionals involved are often short of reliable data about how emerging generations might live. The RIBA's think tank, Building Futures, is holding a fast-paced day of ideas and interaction, bringing together architects, designers and construction professionals to investigate the role of architecture over coming years.

Now in its second year, the Futures Fair is a day-long event of topical seminars and discussion, encouraging those involved in research, design and development to take 'futures' on, both as a strand of thinking, and also as part of how to do business. Presentations at the Futures Fair will be given by speakers representing the UK's leading architectural practices, property companies, construction specialists, planners and academics. Highlights include a discussion with Reinier de Graaf, partner at the pioneering Office of Metropolitan Architecture, and Mary Reilly, chair of the London Development Agency.

To accompany the event this year, a special evening lecture hosted by Building Futures in conjunction with the RIBA Trust will feature a discussion with internationally-renowned architect Spencer de Grey (Foster + Partners) in conversation with leading sociologist and author Saskia Sassen (Columbia University, New York & the London School of Economics) exploring the implications of global architecture.

Tamsie Thomson, Head of Building Futures, said:

"Now is an important time to debate what lies ahead. The outlook for the profession is changing by the day, as news reports and markets anticipate a world credit crunch and looming recession. Futures Fair 08 is a timely gathering looking at what is on the horizon for architects, designers and a wide range of policy makers, service providers and futures thinkers. The event will provide access to information and debates on likely futures and scenarios, plus toolkits preparing for them."

Futures Fair 08 is supported by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) through the Foresight programme and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

Attendance at the Futures Fair 08 costs £90 + VAT (£105.75).

Discount available for all RIBA & British Property Foundation (BPF) members and students.

To book, contact: Mike Althorpe on 020 7307 5350 or email mike.althorpe@inst.riba.org|

Notes to editors

1. Press are invited to attend the Futures Fair on 15 May 2008. To book a press place or for further press information, contact Mina Vadon in the RIBA Press Office on 020 7307 3761 or mina.vadon@inst.riba.org |

The detailed Futures Fair programme follows:

15 May 2008

09.25 Welcome by Richard Hastilow, Chief Executive RIBA

09.30 Dickon Robinson, Chair of Building Futures

Introduction to Building Futures and Futures Fair 08

Futures in context

09.40

Mary Reilly, Chair of the London Development Agency
Sir David King, Director of the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment

Reinier de Graaf, Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA)
Leading commentators discussing the impact of economic, political and ethical factors in the future of the built environment

11.05

Futures links

Lively and fast-paced session to encourage the audience to inform the day through discussion and interaction with the Building Futures interpretation of 'speed dating'.

13.00

Futures in focus

Seminar break-outs focusing on five emerging futures themes:

Energy and Transport – reducing our reliance on unlimited travel

Chair: John Baggaley , Projects Director, MVA Consultancy
Dr John Wormald, Managing Partner, autoPOLIS
Stephen Marshall, Bartlett School of Planning, UCL

Retail and Leisure – exploring concept retail

Chair: John Worthington, co-founder, DEGW
David Dalziel, Managing Director, Dalziel & Pow
Alistair Parker, Development Consultancy Team, Cushman Wakefield

Smart Materials – smart materials and eco-benefits

Chair: Bobbie Johnson, Technology, The Guardian
Robert Thompson, Research Associate, Royal College of Art
Prof. Peter Walker, Innovative Construction Materials, University of Bath

People and Planning – 'people sustainability' in city planning

Chair: Andrew Curry, Director, Henley Centre Headlight Vision

Dr Ayona Datta, Cities Programme, London School of Economics
Reinier de Graaf, Partner & Director, OMA and AMO.

Land Systems – managing the demand for land

Chair: Professor David Fisk CB, Imperial College

Professor Paul Selman, Department of Landscape , University of Sheffield

Roland Grzybek, Water Management Planning, Halcrow Group

14.20

Futures forum

Visionaries in Collaboration
Encouraging sustained futures thinking
Chair: Professor John Beddington, UK Government Chief Scientific Advisor

John Wood, Professor of Design, Goldsmiths University of London

Nicola Gillen, Director of Strategy, DEGW
Tarek Merlin, Director and co-founder of Feix & Merlin Architects

Close – Dickon Robinson

18.00

Futures dialogues

Global Practice in Local Scenarios

An evening lecture hosted by Building Futures in conjunction with the RIBA Trust

Spencer de Grey, Fosters and Partners
Saskia Sassen, Professor of Sociology, Columbia University, New York ,

A landmark evening discussing the implications of global architecture. What is meant by this term and what are the various binding issues uniting practice around the world? How does an international approach to building address its immediate audience and in what context is it placed? The Global or the Local?

2. Building Futures is the RIBA's think tank on issues affecting the future of the built environment. It was established to create space for discussion about the needs of society from our built environment and, consequently, the built environment professions in 20 years and beyond. The group aims to highlight and promote those working with new technologies and developing new ideas, which will contribute to the future of our towns and cities and address society's changing demands over the coming years. How and where will we be living in 50 or 100 years' time? What technologies will architects be using to design new buildings and what materials will be specified? How will the inevitable new technologies affect the buildings and places we use every day? The Building Futures programme is ongoing and includes exhibitions, debates, events and research activities. For more information visit www.buildingfutures.org.uk

3. The Foresight Programme and Horizon Scanning Centre are based in the Government Office for Science based within the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. Foresight uses science based methods to provide visions of the future and research methods in helping to identify potential risks and opportunities in relation to science and technology, which can enable policymakers to develop strategies to manage the future better. For more information visit www.foresight.gov.uk

4. The EPSRC are the main UK government agency for funding research and training in engineering and the physical sciences, investing around £740 million a year in a broad range of subjects – from mathematics to materials science, and from information technology to structural engineering. For more information visit www.epsrc.ac.uk