Delivered by the East London Architects Group, in partnership with RIBA London, we highlight the work of a diverse panel of speakers both local and international with different professional backgrounds. We explored the importance of social value and its potential for demonstrating the positive impact design offers people and communities in terms of social justice, sustainability and wellbeing, and touched on themes such as homelessness, new ways of living, inclusive design, reclaiming our spaces and reclaiming our buildings.
Homelessness
In the first event of the series, we discuss homelessness, the impact it has on communities and what we can do to help tackle this issue.
Hear from our panellists:
- Sheila Scott - Shelter From The Storm
- Juha Kaakinen - The Y - Foundation, Finland
- Heather Macey - Architects Aware!
- Shane O'Neill - SocialCapitalPartners
- Meg Doherty - Fat Macy's
Resources:
- Chris Hildrey, Proxy Address for the 2018 RIBA President's Awards for Research
- Chris Hildrey, Proxy Address project
- Flora Samuel, Mapping social values, for the 2021 RIBA President's Awards for Research
- Build-Eco, FlexiTA temporary accommodation
- Heather Macey, Architects Aware! research
- Shelter from the Storm - Get involved
- Fat Macy's, social enterprise catering
- The Y- Foundation, Housing First Finland
New Ways of Living
This event focuses on innovative housing models across Europe. These virtual times bring the opportunity to connect with our European colleagues and share novel approaches to building communities.
Hear from our panellists:
- Rickard Stark - Okidoki Architects
- Ute Schneider - KCAP Architects, Rotterdam
- David Birkbeck - Design for Homes
- Jonathan Wilson - CITU
- Jas Bhalla - Jas Bhalla Architects
Resources:
- New ways of living: NHS FlexiKeyWorkers Multigenerational Complex
- Passivhaus standard social rented property
- Vallastaden project, Okidoki Arkitekter
- Hafen City project, KCAP Architects
- Housing for a Better World competition, Jas Bhalla Architects, winners
- Housing for a Better World competition, online exhibition
- Climate Innovation District, Citu
- Design for Homes
Inclusive Design
During our third event of the series, we will discuss the transformative impact of inclusive design to enhance ageing, foster intergenerational communities, broaden cultural diversity and support accessibility.
Hear from our panellists:
- Stephen Burke – United for All Ages
- Kathrine Hegner Stærmose – AART
- Colum Lowe – Design Age Institute RCA
- ST Luk - Reversible Destiny Foundation
- Georgina Lee - The Commonland
- Bushra Mohamed & Nana Biamah-Ofosu - Studio Nyali
Resources:
- Musholm, AART Architects
- Reversible Destiny Foundation
- Reversible Destiny Lofts, Mitaka
- The Commonland
- Design Age Institute, RCA
- International Longevity Centre
- Inclusive Spaces event series, The Bartlett, UCL
- National Innovation Centre - Ageing
- United for All Ages, Intergenerational Housing Network
- The Principles of Inclusive Design by Design Council
Reclaiming our Spaces
Reclaiming our spaces critically examines the changes that are essential to create contextual spaces and places that enhance and drive social value. As Architects and urban designers, we need to crucially rethink what happens between the places and spaces we create.
In this event, through a contextual lens, we examine the social impact of our environment and the responsibilities of those who design our cities and urban environment.
- How can we create contextual spaces so that the experience within and between our environment can enhance social value?
- What if the forgotten, missing spaces are revealed, reclaimed, and carefully designed by all who move through and experience them?
- What happens if we change who narrates and designs our environment?
Hear from our panellists:
- Stephanie Edwards – Urban Symbiotics
- Leslie Kern – Author of Feminist City
- Carlene Firmin – Contextual Safeguarding
- Julie Oti - Ash Sakula Architects
- Neil Onions – Beyond The box Consultants
- Shawn Adams - POoR Collective
Resources:
- POoR Collective, People's Pavilion
- POoR Collective, Carney's Community project
- Beyond the Box Consultants, People's Pavilion
- Beyond the Box Consultants, St. Raphael's Estate
- Leslie Kern, Feminist City
- Contextual Safeguarding Research Programme
- Museum Without Walls, Ash Sakula Architects
Reclaiming our Buildings
Reclaiming our buildings explores innovative ways in which our community can sustainably re-use, redesign our existing buildings.
- What happens if the community is not displaced in the process of gentrification, but instead are firmly placed within its re-built form and use?
- How can we re-use existing buildings and spaces to build and strengthen our community?
- How can we sustainably use spaces and buildings to create a sense of community place?
Hear from our panellists:
- Tim Gledstone – Squire & Partners
- Eleanor Hedley - Feilden Fowles
- Johannah Fening – Reclaim Brixton thesis project
- AJ Haastrup and Iris Schönherr - Every One Every Day
Resources:
- Waterloo City Farm, Feilden Fowles
- Oasis Farm Waterloo
- The Department Store, Brixton, Squire & Partners
- Johannah Fening, Reclaim Brixton project, RIBA Presidents Medals
- Reclaim Brixton presentation video
- Let's discuss Reclaim Brixton with Johannah Fening video
