Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Technology Symposium 2020: Post-Pandemic Futures
As the rate of technological change accelerates following the Covid-19 pandemic, the Leeds School of Architecture’s Technology Symposium questions what the architects' role is in designing future cities post pandemic under the shadow of irreversible climate breakdown. Watch a recording of our virtual event here.
In the continuing wake of the global Covid-19 pandemic the Leeds School of Architecture streamed their first open lecture event on the evening of 10th November 2020. With over 100 individuals external to the University signing up to participate, along with students across undergraduate and postgraduate courses, the 2020 Technology Symposium sought to discuss post pandemic futures and the role architecture will play.
Four tremendous talks began with Ehab Sayed of Biohm exploring the possibilities of organic building materials, with the discussion furthered by Newcastle University Professor of Experimental Architecture Rachel Armstrong’s development of ‘living’ architecture demonstrating the possibilities for buildings to share properties of living systems. Virologist Dr Helene Steiner explained how OpenCell cracked the Coronavirus DNA, and with it the DNA of our cities in relation to movement, transport and infrastructure, before an expansive keynote from Michael Pawlyn founder of Exploration Architecture and Architects Declare who expounded the synthesis of using nature’s genius to drive biomimetic solutions.
The range and depth of talks generated in-depth debate between the panel, facilitated by audience submitted questions which were delivered by Architecture lecturers Nick Tyson and Craig Stott, stimulating new ideas for all involved.
Special thanks are extended to all four speakers and every one of the 300+ guests and students who streamed the event live. Watch a recording of the Symposium here:
Craig Stott
Craig Stott (MEng, BArch, MA, ARB) is a Project Office co-director, Architect and Senior Architecture Lecturer at the Leeds School of Architecture, Leeds Beckett University.
