Other Urban Design Events

Below is a listing of other non-UDG, urban design related events around the UK which may be of interest to you:     

Various dates throughout 2010

Poundbury Series  2010

Provisional Details

28 July 2010: PS 5 – Low-Carbon Communities and Eco Towns

15 September 2010: PS 6 – Mixed-Use

3 November 2010: PS 7 – Getting the Details Right

Further details, see:

www.princes-foundation.org/index.php?id=281

Thursday 29 July 2010

Shoot The Messenger: Evidence-based architecture

Venue: BDP's Offices, Brewhouse Yard, off St John's Street/ Clerkenwell Road, London (in pedestrianised area, over ramped bridge to front door)

Time: 7pm

Tickets: £7 (£5 concessions)    

How often have you heard the phrase 'research shows' as a way of defending a project? "Research shows", they seem to say, "that this design is unimpeachable". Is “research” a way that building designers can avoid having to defend their work in its own terms?

For instance, in order to leverage money for green spaces, CABE research is commonly cited to show that 'a walk in the park… has been proven to reduce the risk of a heart attack by 50 per cent'. But what does this assertion really mean? Similarly BDP argue that large windows have 'been proven to improve the speed of learning' – but is that regardless of the quality of the teaching? Nowadays, engineers suggest that fresh air 'increases performance'; and designers insist that views of nature improves your health. Apparently, good architecture even “makes you feel happy”. Is this research or New Age mysticism?

Why has “evidence shows” become such a mantra in urban design circles, these days? And what is the merit of the research? This event will explore what research means; whether correlation is the same as cause; and will examine whether architects rely too much on research – and junk science - to justify their work?    

• Opening remarks: Alastair Donald, Post Grad Researcher, Martin Centre for Architectural and Urban Studies at University of Cambridge        

Panelists                                                                                     

• John McCrae, director, ORMS Architecture Design (Building Better Healthcare Award winner)
• Harry Rich, chief executive of the RIBA; former deputy chief executive of the Design Council
• Sebastian Macmillan, author of Designing Better Buildings, CABE’s The Value Handbook and Course Director, Interdisciplinary Design for the Built Environment, Cambridge University                               
• Michael Owens (Chair), Senior urban regeneration expert; former head of development policy, London Development Agency                 

11 August 2010 - Somerset

Tour of the ICON (Lime Tree Square) Development at Street, Somerset

Landscape Institute SW have arranged a free informal tour of the ICON development in Street, Somerset.  The tour will be led by architect Bill Gerthing (Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios) and landscape architect Peter Schmiel (Grant Associates). 

ICON is a Crest Nicholson development which has achieved a Gold Building for Life Award, EcoHomes Excellent standard and Lifetime Homes.  The high quality public spaces and close integration between landscape and architecture are a key feature of the scheme.

The development is a good example of the approach advocated in the Landscape Institute's Position Statement on Housing 'Making it Home'.  The position statement can be found at: www.landscapeinstitute.org/policy/Housing.php

Further details about the development can be found at:

www.crestnicholson.com/icon/Home.aspx
www.cabe.org.uk/case-studies/lime-tree-square

We will meet in Lime Tree Square (close to West End/High Street, Street) from 6.15pm to commence the tour at 6.30pm.  The tour will last approximately 1.5 hours and will be followed by the opportunity to meet informally at a local hostelry.

For a google map of the location visit: <http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Street+somerset&sll=53.727246,-1.660531&sspn=10.137445,15.227051&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Street,+Somerset,+United+Kingdom&ll=51.123459,-2.747285&spn=0.002623,0.003718&z=18>

To reserve a place for this event please email paul.osborne@exeter.gov.uk. 

Numbers will be limited to 30.

31 August - 1 September 2010

Design Skills Symposium 2010

Delivering better places for Scotland to address climate change

www.ads.org.uk/news/733_design-skills-symposium-2010

A hands-on learning event focused on placemaking skills organised by Architecture and Design Scotland, the Scottish Centre for Regeneration (Scottish Government) Improvement Service & Architecture and Place Division (Scottish Government)

Venue: West Park, 319 Perth Road Dundee 

Day 1: Tuesday 31 August (0930 -1700)

Introductiory Session : Opening Address by Scottish Minister

Practical Workshop : Building a Brief for Low Carbon Places

Core Lesson 2: Streets as a framework for better places

Shared Learning : Testing the Brief  

Shared Learning :

Event only cost per person is as follows: £50 - both days (31st Aug AND 1st Sep) / £40 - one day (31st Aug OR 1st Sept)

For further information and an application form please send a note of interest to Laura.Hart@ads.org.uk by the 31st of July 2010.