Talks & exhibitions
The Cohen Quadrangle: Collegiate Architecture as Future Heritage – LFA 2017 Exeter College Cohen Quad
22.06.2017 14.00–15.00, Embankment Galleries, Somerset House
In a rare public talk and Q&A session as part of the London Festival of Architecture 2017, Alison Brooks will be sharing the ideals and design approach behind the newest building to emerge on the Oxford city skyline; the Exeter College Cohen Quad.[more..]
In a rare public talk and Q&A session as part of the London Festival of Architecture 2017, Alison Brooks will be sharing the ideals and design approach behind the newest building to emerge on the Oxford city skyline; the Exeter College Cohen Quad.
ABA’s campus is due for completion later this year, making it the first complete College commissioned by the University of Oxford since Powell & Moya’s 1974 Wolfson College.
The Cohen Quad is a 21st century reinvention of the collegiate quadrangle, the basis of Oxford’s academic and urban fabric. Weaving together themes of collective memory, spatial experimentation, and the contemporary narrative of the city, the talk also addresses the architect’s role in creating generous and humane platforms for social exchange.
The design of the new quad is based on three key concepts: the journey, places of gathering and sense of home. These concepts are embedded in the formal layout of the building, the variety of its spaces, and its shimmering, curved stainless steel roof. The 6,000m2 Cohen Quad offers a new institutional model for education and creativity. At its heart is the Learning Commons; its multi-layered spaces speak of a future where socialising, eating, drinking, studying and teaching will merge and evolve in a multitude of ways.
The Exeter College Cohen Quad talk will take place on the 22 June at 2pm in the Embankment Gallery of Somerset House. Entry is on a ‘first come, first served’ basis; please arrive promptly to secure a place.
The London Festival of Architecture is Europe’s biggest annual architecture festival, and returns to the capital from 1-30 June 2017 with hundreds of events exploring ‘memory’. It celebrates London as a global architectural hub, provokes questions about the life of the city, and promotes positive change to its public realm. For more information on the festival, visit www.londonfestivalofarchitecture.org.
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Robert Elms in conversation with Alison Brooks
21.05.2017 13:25, Urban Village Fete
Alison Brooks will join BBC Radio’s Robert Elms this Sunday at Greenwich Peninsula Urban Village Fete as part of his series Living for the City.
Alison Brooks will join BBC Radio’s Robert Elms this Sunday at Greenwich Peninsula Urban Village Fete as part of his series Living for the City.
This year Robert will be in conversation with five influential female role models in aspirational industries, discussing their importance in shaping the landscape and celebrating their achievements.
Curated by Hemingway Design, the Urban Village Fete is a contemporary twist on the traditional village fair that celebrates the best in design, music, art, innovative events and modern craftmanship.
The Fete runs from 12pm until 7pm on Sunday 21 May and is free to attend. For more information, click here.
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Conscious Cities Conference No. 2 Ely Court
3.05.2017 09.00–18.00, One Sekforde Street, London
Alison Brooks will be speaking on the subject of conscious design and behavioural insight at the Conscious Cities Conference No. 2: Bridging Neuroscience, Architecture and Technology, a full day event taking place in London’s Urban Innovation Centre.[more..]
Alison Brooks will be speaking on the subject of conscious design and behavioural insight at the Conscious Cities Conference No. 2: Bridging Neuroscience, Architecture and Technology, a full day event taking place in London’s Urban Innovation Centre.
Building upon the topics and findings from its first conference examining the relationship between neuroscience and architecture, Conscious Cities’ second conference will disseminate and unify the industries and elements needed to create and build a ‘Conscious City’ that is responsive to human activity and needs.
This conference is divided into four segments:
- What Does Neuroscience Teach Us About The Built Environment?
- How Can We Use High Technology In The Built Environment?
- Creating Conscious Design: How Does Behavioural Insight Affect Architecture And Planning?
- What Do We Want Life To Look Like In A Conscious City? Ethics In The Built Environment.
Alison’s talk will focus on the transformative social and psychological role that architecture can play, using ABA’s EU Mies Award 2017 finalist Ely Court as an example.
For more information on the event and to book tickets, click here.
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EU Mies Award Talks Ely Court
1.05.2017 09.00–11.00, Academie van Bouwkunst of Amsterdam
Alison Brooks and project architect Nelson Carvalho will present EU Mies van der Rohe Award Finalist Ely Court as part of a public lecture series featuring the five finalists in four cities over three days.
Alison Brooks and project architect Nelson Carvalho will present EU Mies van der Rohe Award Finalist Ely Court as part of a public lecture series featuring the five finalists in four cities over three days.
Alison and Nelson will speak on the 1st May at the Academie van Bouwkunst of Amsterdam. For more information on the event, click here.
Following the lecture series, the jury will visit the finalist works and will collect first-hand information from the people who use the buildings, the clients and the architects to aid in their judgement process. Following deliberations, The Prize Winner and the Emerging Architect Winner will be announced in Brussels on 16th May. The process will culminate with the Awards Ceremony on 26th May at the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion, marking several days of Open Doors throughout Europe during which sites of the shortlisted works will be open for visits by the general public.
The European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture Mies van der Rohe Award is awarded biennially to works completed within the previous two years. The principal objectives are to achieve a thorough understanding of the transformation of Europe’s built environment; to recognize and commend excellence and innovation in the field of architecture and to draw attention to the important contribution of European professionals in the development of new ideas, the clients who support them and the citizens that enjoy them.
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NLA – Toronto:London
19.04.2017 13.30–15.30, Canada House
Alison Brooks will open Toronto:London, NLA’s International Dialogue event examining and comparing the growth of the two global cities.
Alison Brooks will open Toronto:London, NLA’s International Dialogue event examining and comparing the growth of the two global cities.
This international event, being held simultaneously in both Toronto and London, will bring together experts from both cities for an exchange of ideas and approaches and discovering how both cities can learn from each other.
Alison will focus on key the opportunities for civic, cultural and economic value offered by waterside regeneration and will describe the ways London can learn from Toronto. She will join a panel discussion at the end of the session.
Key speakers include:
Jennifer Keesmaat, Chief Planner, City of Toronto
John Campbell, President & CEO, Renovo Advisory Services Ltd, former President & CEO, Waterfront Toronto
Donald Schmitt, Partner, Diamond Schmitt Architects
Professor Will Alsop, Director, All Design
Peter Murray, Chairman, New London Architecture
Toronto:London is a New London Architecture member-only event. For more information click here.
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Housing Innovation: New methods of construction and delivery Ely Court City (e) State Kilburn Quarter Durham & Gloucester Court
30.03.2017 09.00–13:00, NLA
Alison Brooks will give a presentation and join a panel discussion at Housing Innovation: New methods of construction and delivery, New London Architecture’s half day conference.
Alison Brooks will give a presentation and join a panel discussion at Housing Innovation: New methods of construction and delivery, New London Architecture’s half day conference.
The NLA Housing Innovation conference aims to examine the barriers we must overcome and assess how we can be innovative in our approach to affordability and construction within the new parameters set out in the supplementary Planning Guidance and the Housing White Paper.
Alison will give a short presentation during the second session on new approaches to estate regeneration referencing examples of ABA’s work including our EU Mies van der Rohe Award 2017 shortlisted Ely Court in South Kilburn. She will then join a panel discussion on new approaches to delivery. Other panellists include Ben Derbyshire – partner at HTA and president-elect at RIBA, Russ Edwards – head of design at Pocket and Kieran White – Vision Modular Systems – Tide Construction.
For more information on the conference and speakers, click here.
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Margate Arts Creativity and Heritage Conference (MACH) Quarterhouse
1.02.2017 13.30–19.30, Turner Contemporary
Alison Brooks will give a keynote speech at the Margate Arts Creativity and Heritage Conference (MACH) on the 1st February at the Turner Contemporary, Margate.
Alison Brooks will give a keynote speech at the Margate Arts Creativity and Heritage Conference (MACH) on the 1st February at the Turner Contemporary, Margate.
The event brings together government and cultural agencies, creative businesses and practitioners to celebrate learning from almost 10 years of culture-led placemaking in Margate, with a focus on the legacy of the innovative Margate Arts Creativity Heritage partnership programme, and with a view to the future of economic and cultural development across Thanet.
Alison’s speech – Big Ideas for Culture-led Placemaking and Regeneration – will focus on The Folkestone Quarterhouse as an example of ABA’s approach to arts and education-led regeneration.
The RIBA award-winning Folkestone Quarterhouse Performing Arts Centre is a key element of the arts-led regeneration of Folkestone. It was conceived as both a beacon announcing a new cultural hub for Folkestone, and as an urban building bookending the curved east facade of late Georgian buildings that form Tontine Street.
For more information on the event and to book tickets, click here.
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New Zealand Institute of Architects Conference 2017 Exeter College Cohen Quad The Smile Ely Court
9.02.2017—11.02.2017, ANZ Viaduct Events Centre, Auckland
Alison Brooks will speak at the national conference of the New Zealand Institute of Architects 2017. It runs from 9–11 February 2017 in Auckland.
Alison Brooks will speak at the national conference of the New Zealand Institute of Architects 2017. It runs from 9–11 February 2017 in Auckland.
Other speakers include David Adjaye, Mauricio Pezo & Sofia von Ellrichshausen, Benedetta Tagliabue, Ian McDougall, Barbara Bestor, Todd Saunders, Hua Li, John Wardle and Christopher Hawthorne. Alison will speak on Thursday 9th February at 10.45am (GMT+13) and will host an informal breakfast at 8am (GMT+13) on Friday 10th February.
The theme, in:situ, is about architecture and the contexts in which it occurs – physical and intellectual, geographical and typological, social and historical. It has a wide focus on the forces and circumstances that influence architects’ work and their careers. The conference speakers traverse much of the contemporary architectural terrain. They work on a wide range of projects of varying scales in very different places, and have built diverse and accomplished careers. In doing so they have responded to the changing nature of practice and proved the continuing relevance and importance of the role of the architect. Alison will speak about ABA projects Ely Court, The Smile and Exeter College Cohen Quad, University of Oxford.
The event has sold out, but you can follow and join in the conversation on social media using the hashtag #insitu2017.
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Disegno x Moooi: The Future of Public Spaces
23.11.2016 18:30–21:00, Moooi London
Alison Brooks was in conversation with Ab Rogers and Jon Harrison on the role of architects and designers in shaping indoor public spaces. A panel talk hosted at Moooi London.
Alison Brooks was in conversation with Ab Rogers and Jon Harrison on the role of architects and designers in shaping indoor public spaces. A panel talk hosted at Moooi London.
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‘Making New Places’ roundtable in Oxford Barton Park
24.11.2016 12:30–17:30, Oxford Town Hall
Alison Brooks discussed our Barton Park project at a roundtable themed ‘Making New Places’ at Oxford Town Hall.
Alison Brooks discussed our Barton Park project at a roundtable themed ‘Making New Places’ at Oxford Town Hall.
This event focussed on the high level of detail, planning, legislative constraints, placing a special spotlight on the process from inception through to design of the Barton Park development in Oxford. Topics included identifying the key initiatives and challenges, the planning framework for growth, setting design principles, the architects perspective and the community feeling to look at key learnings and what makes good design.
Speaker panel:
- Alison Brooks, Creative Director, ABA
- Glynn Mutton – Development Manager, Hill Developers
- Alexis Butterfield – Associate Partner, Pollard Thomas Edwards
- David Edwards – Executive Director, Oxford City Council
- Clare Harrison – Senior Programme Manager, Grosvenor
- Paul Comeford – Director, Aecom
- Dr Riette Oosthuizen – Partner, HTA Design LLP
- Jon Rowland – Chair, BOB-MK Urban Design Network
RIBA and Cornwall Architectural Trust Lecture
11.11.2016, Falmouth Maritime Museum
Alison Brooks delivered the 2016 RIBA and Cornwall Architectural Trust Lecture on 11th November at Falmouth Maritime Museum.
Alison Brooks delivered the 2016 RIBA and Cornwall Architectural Trust Lecture on 11th November at Falmouth Maritime Museum.
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Masterclass at the V&A The Smile
22.09.2016 15:30–17:00, Victoria & Albert Museum
Alison Brooks was in conversation with Andrew Lawrence, Associate Director at Arup and collaborator on The Smile, along with Andy Toohey, Partner at Price & Myers.
Alison Brooks was in conversation with Andrew Lawrence, Associate Director at Arup and collaborator on The Smile, along with Andy Toohey, Partner at Price & Myers.
They discussed new kinds of urban building that are spatially and structurally inventive, contributing to the art of city-building.
The Global Design Forum is the London Design Festival’s annual programme of talks and discussions exploring the role of design in a sustainable and prosperous future.
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Alison Brooks Architects design landmark installation for London Design Festival 2016 The Smile
16.09.2016—12.10.2016, Chelsea College of Arts
Alison Brooks Architects has collaborated with The American Hardwood Export Council, Arup and the London Design Festival to present a cross-laminated tulipwood structure on the Rootstein Hopkins Parade Ground of the Chelsea College of Arts from 17 September until 12 October.
Alison Brooks Architects has collaborated with The American Hardwood Export Council, Arup and the London Design Festival to present a cross-laminated tulipwood structure on the Rootstein Hopkins Parade Ground of the Chelsea College of Arts from 17 September until 12 October.
Alison Brooks Architects has designed ‘The Smile’, an urban installation that showcases the structural and spatial potential of cross–laminated hardwood using American tulipwood. The Smile is one of the Festival’s Landmark Projects; a timber structure that can be inhabited and explored by the public.
With expertise from top engineering firm Arup, and using construction sized panels of hardwood CLT for the first time, Alison Brooks’ concept is a spectacular 3.5m high, 4.5m wide and 34m long curved rectangular tube – the first ever hardwood ‘mega-tube’.
Alison Brooks says, “The Smile is a huge curved hollow tube made of cross-laminated tulipwood. It touches the ground at one point, like a wheel. Entering The Smile through an opening where the curved form meets the ground, the visitor can walk from end to end of the 34-metre-long tube to discover a new kind of space that gradually rises toward light. All four sides of The Smile’s interior will be made of same beautiful hardwood panels as the structure. It will offer a complete sensory experience of colour, texture, scent and sound. The Smile’s two open ends will illuminate the funnel-like interior space and act as balconies to the city.
Along the walls, perforations will allow sunlight to draw changing patterns on the floor throughout the day. The perforations will also give the visitor an understanding of how the structure performs as they’re located in positions where there are fewer structural stresses. At night the interior will be illuminated by linear light strips that trace its dynamic curving floor.”
For AHEC, The Smile is one of the most important developments in a decade of research and development into structural timber innovation with Arup, and one that could broaden the use of CLT in the construction industry. Andrew Lawrence, Associate Director, Arup says, “The Smile is the most challenging structure ever constructed in CLT. Every aspect is pushed to the absolute limit. It really shows the potential for hardwoods in construction.”
This creation of a brand-new product and a new use of hardwood will transform the way architects and engineers approach timber construction.
“This structure proves that hardwoods have a role to play in the timber construction revolution,” says David Venables, European Director of AHEC. “All our previous LDF projects – Timber Wave, Out of the Woods, Endless Stair and The Wish List – have been significant projects.
“But The Smile, designed by Alison Brooks Architects, is the most significant advance because it will create the first-ever use of industrial-sized panels of hardwood CLT. These panels will be produced by Züblin Timber in Germany, one of the pioneers of this manufacturing process. They believe in the potential of tulipwood CLT as bringing a revolutionary new element to wood construction.”
Arup’s engineering team is working to derive the most efficient structural form, using only 60 cubic metres of wood to create a 150 square metre enclosed space. The forces of tension and compression working in the CLT walls will be expressed by perforations in its elevations. ABA has used these to generate patterns of light across The Smile’s interior spaces during the day, it will become an urban lantern at night.
“The Landmark Projects are a key part of the Festival’s commissioning programme. They are at a scale that gets noticed and are always in major public places reaching a very wide audience,” says Ben Evans, the Director of LDF. “The choice of architect is key and Alison Brooks Architects are known for their innovative use of materials. Alongside a strong commitment to ambitious ideas they made an ideal choice for this year’s Landmark project with AHEC.”
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HDA Seminar Ely Court Kilburn Quarter Durham & Gloucester Court
11.07.2016 14:00–17:30, IET London: Savoy Place
Alison Brooks Architects will join South Kilburn Estate Regeneration collaborators Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands and Brent Council to speak at the Housing Design Award Seminar 2016: Beyond Housebuilding.
Alison Brooks Architects will join South Kilburn Estate Regeneration collaborators Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands and Brent Council to speak at the Housing Design Award Seminar 2016: Beyond Housebuilding.
“Britain needs to build some 250,000 new homes each year, but business as usual can’t meet demand. Where else could the numbers come from?”
Tickets are now available for the annual Housing Design Awards seminar, featuring in-depth discussion of innovative approaches to housing procurement and design – from consumer responsive offsite production, to custom-build and co-housing, and local authority direct commissioning.
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La Biennale di Venezia Exhibition Ely Court City (e) State Kilburn Quarter Durham & Gloucester Court
28.05.2016—27.11.2016, Palazzo Mora
ABA is participating in the Time-Space-Existence exhibition at the Palazzo Mora, along with 100 other established and emerging practices from a range of countries and cultures. In the exhibition ‘City(e)State’, Alison Brooks Architects documents the evolution of state-sponsored housing architecture as a reflection of the social, economic and political values of the day.
ABA is participating in the Time-Space-Existence exhibition at the Palazzo Mora, along with 100 other established and emerging practices from a range of countries and cultures. In the exhibition ‘City(e)State’, Alison Brooks Architects documents the evolution of state-sponsored housing architecture as a reflection of the social, economic and political values of the day.
The exhibition uncovers qualities found in Britain’s monumental urban housing estates, and how these have become synonymous with economic and social segregation. These are examined in relation to four specific urban paradigms found in a north London neighbourhood: 1890s suburb; 1960s modernist estate; contemporary masterplan; and intensified, ‘ideal’ future.
The practice considers housing design to be the most fundamental form of city-building, constituting urban form, civic space and community identity as well as the intimate space of dwelling. ABA’s own work in housing explores new typologies, identities and hybrid uses as vehicles for urban transformation.
“As catalysts for social diversity and inclusiveness, housing architecture can be reconceived as civic buildings of the everyday,” says Alison Brooks, principal and creative director of ABA. “A strategy of proactive council involvement as commissioners and stewards of urban design offers an alternative model for development to purely market-led regeneration.”
The Venice installation will include ABA’s ongoing work with the London Borough of Brent on the regeneration of South Kilburn Estate, one of north London’s largest modernist housing estates. Here, the Council is leading a 15 year masterplan to reintegrate the community, its architecture and public spaces into the fabric of the city. The Council’s plans new projects embed diversity, with a 50/50 mix of social and private housing. Ten London architects have been working in the regeneration including three competition winning schemes by Alison Brooks Architects.
“Our three South Kilburn projects – one complete, one under construction and one planned – recharge streets as a forum for public life framed by higher density, equitable housing. Our work supports the local authority’s renewed commitment to delivering long-term social and urban value.” says Brooks.
“Time Space Existence” at the 15th International Architecture Exhibition, 28 May – 27 November 2016. Palazzo Mora, Str. Nuova, 3659, 30121 Venezia, Italy.
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Quarterhouse to host Archigram Folkestone 2016 Quarterhouse
11.06.2016 18:00, Quarterhouse, Folkestone
Sir Peter Cook and the surviving members of the original Archigram team will come together, 50 years on TO THE VERY DAY, to celebrate and recount the event that took place in Folkestone in 1966. The event will be held at ABA’s Folkestone Quarterhouse Performing Arts Centre.
Sir Peter Cook and the surviving members of the original Archigram team will come together, 50 years on TO THE VERY DAY, to celebrate and recount the event that took place in Folkestone in 1966. The event will be held at ABA’s Folkestone Quarterhouse Performing Arts Centre.
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Lecture: Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland Centenary Convention
13.05.2016—14.04.2016, Mansfield Traquair, Edinburgh
Alison Brooks will speak at the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland Centenary Convention 2016.
Alison Brooks will speak at the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland Centenary Convention 2016.
Hosted by RIAS President, Willie Watt, the RIAS Convention, the single most significant event in the Incorporation’s annual calendar, is also one of the largest architectural conferences in Europe. To mark the Incorporation’s centenary, this year’s event takes place in the RIAS’ place of birth, Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh, within the territory covered by the Edinburgh Architectural Association.
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Talk: The Richard Grierson Annual Lecture
24.02.2016 20:00, Blackheath Halls
Alison Brooks presented the Annual Richard Grierson Architecture Lecture at Blackheath Halls.
Alison Brooks presented the Annual Richard Grierson Architecture Lecture at Blackheath Halls.
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Talk: University of Brighton School of Architecture
16.02.2016, University of Brighton School of Architecture
Debate: Turncoats – “The Gender Agenda”
11.02.2016 18:30, U+I
This discussion sought to reframe feminism in architecture.
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