This year's programme of events kicked off in Paris with a series of activities starting with a workshop for the new RIBA Europe group to discuss aims and objectives, and define the roadmap required to form a Europe chapter.
This was a great opportunity to meet in person, and it was a productive start to the trip to prepare the way for further events taking place in 2024.
Following the discussion, participants attended a building tour of Morland Mixité Capitale, an emblematic mixed-use building, with a talk given by CALQ - the French practice entrusted to work on the project with principle designers David Chipperfield architects. The core architectural idea was to preserve, renovate, and further develop the existing former administrative building built by Albert Laprade in 1964.
'By integrating a diverse variety of private and public functions, the project creates a microcosm; a city in the city. The new Morland is innovative in terms of its program, the mix of uses it offers, its architectural signature, its environmental biases, and the place given to creation' - CALQ.
After the tour a meet and greet was held at Titi Palaccio (part of Morland Mixité). The reception invited RIBA Members, co-professionals from French Architects for Export (AFEX), and students from architectural schools - such as Confluence in Paris and the Paris school of Architecture - providing the opportunity to build networks and hear more about the growing plans for RIBA Europe.
On the second day, there was a guided tour at the UNESCO Headquarters which revealed some inspiring architecture by iconic architects of the twentieth century such as Tadao Andō, Bernard Zehrfuss, Marcel Breuer and Pier Luigi Nervi.
The final part of the trip included a visit to the Foundation Cartier in the heart of Paris which hosted an exhibition entitled Breath of an Architect; an exhibition especially created for the institution by architect Bijoy Jain, founder of Studio Mumbai in India.
This trip 'exceeded members' expectations' and paves the way for supporting the building of local and international connections and opportunities for collaborative working.
Members' comments included:
"It was a wonderful occasion to foster connections through shared architectural journeys, insights, and professional experiences."
"We look forward to RIBA strengthening its role and presence for its European community."
"It was a great experience as we discussed avenues to improve the presence and relevance of RIBA to architects in Europe."
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Find out more about our events, opportunities and resources for members in Europe.
