Dezeen promotion:Â future-proofing is the theme for this year's Architect@Work event, which features talks on reimagining heritage, zero carbon cities and modern methods of construction.
Architect@Work is a two-day trade show for architects, interior designers and specifiers. This year it will take place from the 30 – 31 January 2019 at a new location, the Old Truman Brewery in London.
In an age where sustainability and longevity are necessities in design, the 2019 edition will focus on future-proofing, and feature a programme of panel discussions with well-known architects and other industry figures.
Architects Dave Lomax of Waugh Thistleton and Mark Rintoul of Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners will explore how modern methods of construction are changing building design, in conversation with ShedKM's Hazel Rounding and BeFirst's Kevin Gray.
In another talk, Linda Thiel director at White Arkitekter, ZEDfactory's Bill Dunster, Clare Murray from Levitt Bernstein and Becci Taylor, associate director of Arup, will discuss how technology can be harnessed to make zero carbon cities a reality.
Catarina Kohut of Jonathan Tuckey Design and SPPARC's Trevor Morriss will join Nicola Rutt of Hawkins\Brown and industrial designer Alexander Lervik in a panel discussion looking at a range of cities that are making their heritage fit for the contemporary occupant.
Also, British architect Sarah Wigglesworth, who has "championed sustainability for decades" will spotlight the key projects that have shaped her practice.
Architect@Work 2019 will also include an exhibition by MaterialDriven, featuring a collection of "materials that address some of the key issues of our time – sustainability, performance, energy efficiency, waste, health and wellbeing".
RIBA will also return with its pop-up bookshop, joining a number of architectural suppliers will showcasing over 200 innovative products in surface solutions, lighting technology as well as interior and exterior fixtures and fittings.
Attendance to Architect@Work is free to trade visitors – simply use the code 1880 when registering.
Read on for the full programme of talks:
Wednesday 30 January
15:00 – Modern Methods
Offsite construction and prefabrication are the buzzwords of the day but they are bringing about a quiet revolution within the built environment. A series of high-profile case studies will be explored in this talk, demonstrating how modern methods of construction are changing building design across all sectors.
Chair: Sarah Yates, New London Architecture
Hazel Rounding, shedKM
Dave Lomax, Waugh Thistleton
Kevin Gray, BeFirst
Mark Rintoul, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners
16:15 – Sarah Wigglesworth in conversation
Architect Sarah Wigglesworth has been championing sustainable design for decades and has created projects that foster social wellbeing, while retaining her environmental credentials. In this special interview she will reveal the key projects that have shaped the practice, as well as upcoming work that demonstrates the evolution of their work.
Chair: Hattie Hartman, Architects' Journal
Sarah Wigglesworth
17:30 – Back to the future
Demolishing old buildings and replacing them with new ones is expensive and bad for the environment. The truly sustainable approach for the city is one that renovates and reimagines its built heritage, making it fit for purpose for the contemporary occupant. This panel of experts will look at a range of case studies, from homes to offices, galleries to exhibition centres.
Chair: Chris Foges, Architecture Today
Catarina Kohut, Jonathan Tuckey Design
Trevor Morriss, SPPARC
Nicola Rutt, Hawkins\Brown
Alexander Lervik, industrial designer
Thursday 31 January
13:00 – Eco is not a dirty word
Sustainability is absolutely integral to the future of the built environment but there are still only a few companies that are creating truly innovative projects and developments. The speakers on this panel will explain the power of green design, with small boutique projects that wrap around trees, mega structures and sustainable strategies for healthy city development.
Chair: Eleanor Young, RIBA Journal
Jerry Tate, Tate Harmer
Cany Ash, Ash Sakula
Piers Taylor, Invisible Studio
16:15 – Zero carbon cities
What can we do to make our cities carbon neutral? The technology exists but we need good design coupled with developers and local government to make it a reality. This panel of experts will prove that zero carbon isn't science fiction, it's happening now and it's obtainable for everyone.
Chair: TBC
Linda Thiel, White Arkitekter
Bill Dunster, ZEDfactory
Clare Murray, Levitt Bernstein
Becci Taylor, Arup
17:30 – Brave new world
Architects and designers have historically played an important role in helping us visualise what our world might look like in the near future. By using cutting-edge technologies and radical forms, we are encouraged to look ahead and not back. However, restrained and rational projects have become the fashion in recent years and this talk explores the work of a few brave souls that are creating the places and spaces of the future, inspiring the next generation.
Chair: Helen Parton, freelance design journalist
Aleksa Rizova, ALEKSA studio
Adam Nathaniel Furman
Stefano Dal Piva, ACME
Daniel Blaker, Nulty