Talks & exhibitions
Talk: Ecobuild 2014 – What is the value of good design?
5.03.2014 15:00, ExCeL, London, UK
Alison Brooks and Sunand Prasad discussed the difficult topics of ‘value’ and ‘good design’ at this years EcoBuild
Alison Brooks and Sunand Prasad discussed the difficult topics of ‘value’ and ‘good design’ at this years EcoBuild
[less..]NLA roundtable discussion on the densification of London’s suburbs.
Alison Brooks takes part in the NLA roundtable discussion, co-hosted by HTA Design LLP, that will bring together a select group of developers, architects, housing experts, planners and Local Authorities to examine the capacity of suburban London for solving this problem.
Alison Brooks takes part in the NLA roundtable discussion, co-hosted by HTA Design LLP, that will bring together a select group of developers, architects, housing experts, planners and Local Authorities to examine the capacity of suburban London for solving this problem.
“Despite £56bn of public subsidy directed at housing since 2008 the supply of housing in London falls far short of requirements. As a result 80% of what is on offer in the capital is affordable to only 20% of the population. Could the densification of the suburbs form part of the solution to Londons housing crisis?”
[less..]Talk: Michael Woodford on Compact Living
7.02.2014 9:00, Arkitektenes Hus, Oslo, Norway
Michael Woodford, Director, spoke on the topic of “Compact living: the future space-efficient homes” to an audience in Oslo, Norway. The event was arranged by the National Association of Norwegian Architects (NAL).
Michael Woodford, Director, spoke on the topic of “Compact living: the future space-efficient homes” to an audience in Oslo, Norway. The event was arranged by the National Association of Norwegian Architects (NAL).
[less..]Talk: CABE Design Council “Estate of the Nation”
31.01.2014
Alison Brooks, founder of ABA, was invited by Design Council CABE to talk about “the future of council housing based on past and current design, planning and development trends.” The series of talks was aimed to highlight the subject of council housing and it’s importance in 2014.
Alison Brooks, founder of ABA, was invited by Design Council CABE to talk about “the future of council housing based on past and current design, planning and development trends.” The series of talks was aimed to highlight the subject of council housing and it’s importance in 2014.
Design Council CABE last year posted an article on the ‘Estate of the Nation’, an essay which informs those on the foundations of the event:
“Council estates are out of fashion and under threat of demolition. With the exception of the Barbican and the refurbished Brunswick Centre, none are particularly loved. Regeneration, demolition and rebuilding seem to be the only solution, accepting the destruction of local communities and the loss of much needed affordable council housing and striking architecture…Does this have to happen?”
Alison was among a number of high-profile figures in the Housing world who spoke to a mixed group of local authorities, developers, architect property consultants and businesses, academicians, built environment students and the general public – each with an interest in this extremely relevant topic.
Other speakers included:
Clare Devine, Director of the Built Environment, Cabe
Paul Finch, Deputy Chair of the Design Council and Editorial Director of the Architects’ Journal
Dickon Robinson, Former Development Director, Peabody Trust
Alan Powers, Lecturer at NYU London, former Chairman, Twentieth Century Society
Mark Mitchener, Managing Director, Rydon Construction Board
Stephen Fisher, Director, Pollard Thomas Edwards Architects
[less..]Talk: ‘Cultural Infrastructure: The Synthetic Ideal’
11.12.2013 18:00, Architectural Association Lecture Hall, London, UK
Alison Brooks gave a lecture at the AA entitled Cultural Infrastructure: The Synthetic Ideal
Alison Brooks gave a lecture at the AA entitled Cultural Infrastructure: The Synthetic Ideal
“Alison Brooks Architects is positioned at the vanguard of a new generation of contemporary British architects committed to housing as a social project, as a source of programme-rich urban design and as a field for architectural experimentation. We see housing as a form of simultaneous architecture. Each project must operate as background infrastructure (urban, social, economic) and as cultural artefact specific to place, ways of life and local culture. We fight for the idiosyncratic: combining pragmatism, artistic intent and spatial subterfuge to unlock the potential of typologies to become new prototypes. AND not OR. City AND suburb.”
[less..]Talk: YEM Housing Conference 2013
21.11.2013, YEM Building Information Centre, Istanbul, Turkey
Alison Brooks, Director, gave a lecture at the YEM Building Information Centre in Istanbul to the Annual Housing Conference 2013
Alison Brooks, Director, gave a lecture at the YEM Building Information Centre in Istanbul to the Annual Housing Conference 2013
“Turkey needs over 500,000 housing units to be built per year. This makes “housing” a vital topic not only for the construction sector, but for Turkeys economy as a whole. It would not be wrong to say that for the last two decades the Turkish economy is highly dependent upon this industry.
Today, as building slowly begins to increase, the competitive pressure in the market often relies upon the success of projects demonstrating a unique position through branding. This years Housing Conference has more than four hundred decision-makers; investors, developers, contractors, architects, civil engineers, interior designers, designers, building-material manufacturers, academics and press members – all discussing the important issue of housing.”
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Talk: The Green Rethink
26.11.2013 8:30, Royal College of Physicians, London, UK
Alison Brooks, Director, spoke at the AJ annual conference at the Royal College of Physicians, London, which aimed to radically redefine sustainability and predict the future of sustainable building design.
Alison Brooks, Director, spoke at the AJ annual conference at the Royal College of Physicians, London, which aimed to radically redefine sustainability and predict the future of sustainable building design.
The day included a series of TED-style talks with top-flight thinkers sharing their predictions on the direction sustainable design will take over the coming years, as well as insight into which way the wind is blowing for policy-makers and government.
A special series of case study presentations by architects included an inspirational line-up of new green buildings, including ODonnell and Tuomeys new LSE building, Hopkins Architects WWF project and Enric Ruiz-Gelis work for El Bulli Foundation
There were also specialist sessions on housing design and building tall, what to do with listed and heritage assets in the context of sustainability, materplanning, and specifying green, alongside plain-spoken technical briefings on changes to Part L, Soft Landings and post-occupancy evaluation.
The conference was designed to enable architects to skill up their businesses to meet the future demand for buildings that are sustainable from a social and economic, as well as ecological perspective.
[less..]Talk: RSAW Annual Conference 2013
15.11.2013 9:30, Sherman Cymru, Cardiff, Wales
Michael Woodford, Director, gave a lecture to the RSAW Annual Conference on Friday 15th November.
Michael Woodford, Director, gave a lecture to the RSAW Annual Conference on Friday 15th November.
“Housing is firmly back on the political agenda. Home building has fallen to historically low levels while there is a pressing need to provide homes for a growing (and ageing) population. We must not repeat the mistakes of the past – numbers are not enough. People need high quality, warm, secure and energy smart homes. This conference will focus on the need for regeneration and strategic planning to recognise the importance of the complex and nuanced ideas of ‘home’ and ‘place’ in creating vibrant and viable communities.”
[less..]Debate: ‘London and the city’
31.10.2013 18:30, David Chipperfield Architects, London, UK
A panel discussion that included Alison Brooks, David Chipperfield and Peter St John, and chaired by Ricky Burdett.
A panel discussion that included Alison Brooks, David Chipperfield and Peter St John, and chaired by Ricky Burdett.
[less..]Talk: RIBAJ ‘Counting the Difference’
27.07.2013, Royal Institute of British Architects, London, UK
Architects add value to place, society and client’s ideas, but getting that point across can be an uphill struggle. ‘Counting the Difference’ was the theme of this discussion in the RIBAJ120 Series with Gerflor.
Architects add value to place, society and client’s ideas, but getting that point across can be an uphill struggle. ‘Counting the Difference’ was the theme of this discussion in the RIBAJ120 Series with Gerflor.
Alison Brooks focussed on two areas within the subject of cost – RICS cost calculation models and client secrecy over true costs – that needed radical rethinking.
[less..]Talk: Royal Academy of Arts, Architecture Programme
Housing category winner, Alison Brooks, who also took the overall award for a compelling series of re-workings of familiar housing types, discusses what architects have to offer those attempting to address the acute problems in housing supply, from individual domestic projects to residential masterplans. Other speakers include Phil Coffey and Peter Barber. Chaired by Ellis Woodman.
Housing category winner, Alison Brooks, who also took the overall award for a compelling series of re-workings of familiar housing types, discusses what architects have to offer those attempting to address the acute problems in housing supply, from individual domestic projects to residential masterplans. Other speakers include Phil Coffey and Peter Barber. Chaired by Ellis Woodman.
[less..]Talk: BBC Woman’s Hour “Women in Architecture”
19.03.2013 10:00, BBC Broadcasting House,
BBC Radio Four – Jane was joined by Alison Brooks, running for the title Woman Architect of the Year and Clare Devine, Chair of Women in Architecture. Despite more women dropping out of architecture than almost any other profession why could neither of them ever contemplate anything else?
BBC Radio Four – Jane was joined by Alison Brooks, running for the title Woman Architect of the Year and Clare Devine, Chair of Women in Architecture. Despite more women dropping out of architecture than almost any other profession why could neither of them ever contemplate anything else?
[less..]Talk: Arnolfini – Changing the Face of British Architecture
28.11.2012, Arnolfini, Bristol, UK
Alison spoke at the Arnolfini centre as part of The Changing Face of British Architecture Series.
Alison spoke at the Arnolfini centre as part of The Changing Face of British Architecture Series.
[less..]Talk: AJ Small Projects Launch
1.11.2012
Alison Brooks delivered a presentation and answered questions at the AJ Small Projects panel event in London, which will officially launch the AJ Small Projects awards 2013.
Alison Brooks delivered a presentation and answered questions at the AJ Small Projects panel event in London, which will officially launch the AJ Small Projects awards 2013.
[less..]Talk: Open Lecture Series – Cardiff University
25.10.2012 18:30, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
Alison Brooks was invited in 2012 to deliver an open lecture at the University of Cardiff as part of the School of Architecture’s open lecture series.
Alison Brooks was invited in 2012 to deliver an open lecture at the University of Cardiff as part of the School of Architecture’s open lecture series.
[less..]Talk: Audi Urban Future Summit 2011
13.09.2011, The Squaire, Frankfurt, Germany
Alison spoke about social relations at the first Audi Urban Future Summit in Frankfurt am Main. Specialists from a great variety of disciplines discussed the future of urban mobility in The Squaire at Frankfurt Airport.
Alison spoke about social relations at the first Audi Urban Future Summit in Frankfurt am Main. Specialists from a great variety of disciplines discussed the future of urban mobility in The Squaire at Frankfurt Airport.
[less..]Architecture Foundation
20.08.2012
Alison Brooks Architects were one of four practices invited to present their work at the Architecture Foundations 2011 Winter Nights lecture series held at the Building Design Partnership’s offices in London.
Alison Brooks Architects were one of four practices invited to present their work at the Architecture Foundations 2011 Winter Nights lecture series held at the Building Design Partnership’s offices in London.
[less..]Exhibition: Faces of British Architecture
12.01.2012—29.02.2012, The Building Centre, London, UK
Britain has some of the worlds best architects and engineers. To celebrate this wealth of talent Icopal have commissioned a series of portraits by Timothy Soar, with commentary by Isabel Allen. This series of images represents UKs leading experts, innovators and visionaries in architecture and engineering, responsible for many iconic buildings and landmark developments. The exhibition, curated by Lorna Soar, can be seen at The Building Centre in January and February 2012.
Britain has some of the worlds best architects and engineers. To celebrate this wealth of talent Icopal have commissioned a series of portraits by Timothy Soar, with commentary by Isabel Allen. This series of images represents UKs leading experts, innovators and visionaries in architecture and engineering, responsible for many iconic buildings and landmark developments. The exhibition, curated by Lorna Soar, can be seen at The Building Centre in January and February 2012.
[less..]Talk: Female Power in Architecture
24.04.2012 18:00, Royal Institute of British Architects, London, UK
AJ editor Christine Murray chaired a panel to discuss female power in Architecture at the RIBA, following the previous week’s inaugural AJ Women in Architecture awards.
AJ editor Christine Murray chaired a panel to discuss female power in Architecture at the RIBA, following the previous week’s inaugural AJ Women in Architecture awards.
Panelists included Alison Brooks, Alison Brooks Architects; Deborah Saunt, DSDHA; Kathryn Firth, Chief of Design, Olympic Park Legacy Company; Liza Fior, muf architecture/ art; and Anna Gagliano, Aedas.
[less..]Exhibition: Ideas City Festival
7.05.2011—9.05.2011, Open House Fallery, New York, USA
Downtown NYC has long been a hotbed for reinvention, and The Bowery has been at the molten center making the transformation from halfway houses and grimy punk clubs to exclusive hotels and cutting edge art museums. Therefore its fitting that the citys oldest thoroughfare will be home to Festival of Ideas for the New City, May 4-8.
Downtown NYC has long been a hotbed for reinvention, and The Bowery has been at the molten center making the transformation from halfway houses and grimy punk clubs to exclusive hotels and cutting edge art museums. Therefore its fitting that the citys oldest thoroughfare will be home to Festival of Ideas for the New City, May 4-8.
The festival will bring together thought leaders in diverse fields, focused on cross-pollinating ideas and shaping the New York City of the future, and includes a 3-day conference, street festival, and independent projects dotting the Downtown geography.
Participants and contributors include Rem Koolhaas as a keynote speaker, The New Museum, Pecha Kucha, Kickstarter, StoryCorps, Brooklyn Flea, Cabinet Magazine, and dozens more. Its an impressive undertaking, and exciting to see new public forums for ideas take shape as funding for stalwarts like NPR and PBS are threatened. Looking forward to getting swept up in winds of change.
[less..]Talk: What Is Going On?
22.02.2012 18:30, Columbia University, New York, USA
Workshop: Southeast Wood Solutions Fair
20.02.2010, Atlanta / North Carolina, USA
Alison Brooks discussed her projects that exploit the potential of wood, including mixed use residential projects incorporating urban agriculture, sky gardens and roof terraces.
Alison Brooks discussed her projects that exploit the potential of wood, including mixed use residential projects incorporating urban agriculture, sky gardens and roof terraces.
[less..]Talk: My London Vernacular
26.06.2009, New London Architecture, London, UK
Alison Brooks, Alex Lifschutz, and Matthew Lloyd discussed ‘My London Vernacular’ at a free talk at New London Architecture.
Alison Brooks, Alex Lifschutz, and Matthew Lloyd discussed ‘My London Vernacular’ at a free talk at New London Architecture.
[less..]Talk: In Touch With Timber
19.05.2009, Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London, UK
Alison was invited to be a keynote speaker at TRADA’s In Touch with Timber, a conference aimed at architects, engineers, specifiers and other construction industry professionals.
Alison was invited to be a keynote speaker at TRADA’s In Touch with Timber, a conference aimed at architects, engineers, specifiers and other construction industry professionals.
[less..]Talk: RIBA Annual Conference 2008
25.10.2008—26.10.2015, Hesperia Tower Hotel, Barcelona, Spain
Alison spoke at the RIBA Annual Conference in Barcelona, focusing on the theme of ‘Architecture and Identity’
Alison spoke at the RIBA Annual Conference in Barcelona, focusing on the theme of ‘Architecture and Identity’
[less..]Talk: Architectural Association Lectures – Identity Mining
9.02.2007, Architectural Association School of Architecture, London, UK
Alison discussed issues of urban regeneration, culture and identity in the context of competition winning Folkestone Performing Arts Centre and projects in Liverpool and Milton Keynes.
Alison discussed issues of urban regeneration, culture and identity in the context of competition winning Folkestone Performing Arts Centre and projects in Liverpool and Milton Keynes.
[less..]Talk: UB School of Architecture and Planning
5.04.2006 17:30, University at Buffalo, New York, USA
Debate: Multicultural Architecture
11.03.2006, Whitechapel Gallery, London, UK
Alison joined Lucy Bullivant, Stefano Boeri and Brett Steele, discussing how architects can respond to our multicultural cities and the impact of globalization.
Alison joined Lucy Bullivant, Stefano Boeri and Brett Steele, discussing how architects can respond to our multicultural cities and the impact of globalization.
The discussion coincided with the exhibition ‘David Adjaye – Making Public Buildings’ at the Whitechapel Gallery.
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