Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Technology Symposium 2021: The Future of Architectural Education
Under the shadow of COP26 currently taking place in Glasgow, the need to deliver an architectural education which addresses the climate emergency has never been greater. A rapid movement is required to equip students with the necessary skills and awareness to drive an informed design-led response generating an ecologically resilient future. The 2021 Leeds School of Architecture Technology Symposium is part of journey.
The sixth annual Architecture Technology Symposium, and second to be streamed online, took place on 10th November 2021. It posed the question ‘what knowledge do architecture students need in order to develop a holistic climate literacy with which they can form a restorative and regenerative zero carbon-built environment?’ Responding to the provocation were four brilliant presentations delivered by leading industry experts.
The first talk truly set the scene from Hwei-Fan Liang and Matthew Pemberry, representing ACAN (Architects Climate Action Network) and Stu_CAN (Students Climate Action Network), which are a network of individuals within architecture and related built environment professions taking action to address the twin crises of climate and ecological breakdown. This followed the launch of LSA_CAN, a student climate action network for the Leeds School of Art.
Meaghan Kombol, Adjunct Professor of Landscape at the University of Greenwich provided the second presentation, discussing the importance of bio-diversity net gain and strategies for delivering sustainable green and blue environmental amenities.
Rob Nield, Associate Director of Webb Yates Engineers followed, reflecting on the lost art of structural stonework, the technological advancements possible through post-tensioned stone, and the possibilities of timber/concrete composites.
Finally, Diana Dina, Head of Sustainability and Regenerative Design at Howarth Tompkins Architects, provided a wealth of resources and insight, by breaking the provocation down into specific elements all architectural students would benefit from understanding.
The interdisciplinary nature of the speakers and content generated engaging and thought-provoking discussion between the panel, led by questions asked by an audience of over 150 people. The Leeds School of Architecture is committed to helping addressing climate destruction and biodiversity loss, with this event being part of wide-ranging open lecture series and teaching agenda.
A find a video of last year’s event, Post Pandemic Futures, is also available here:
What will your future be?
Find out more about some of our architecture courses
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.
