Architectural Regeneration: Practice & Education
On 30 May 2013, Oxford Brookes University School of Architecture will hold a symposium entitled 'Architectural Regeneration: Practice & Education'.
It is well documented that up to a third of the value of construction work in the UK concerns work to existing buildings: conservation, refurbishment, adaptive reuse and extensions thus make up a substantial work load for many architects’ practices. However, adaptive re-use is all too often seen as the poor cousin to ‘design’, especially in the teaching of architecture and in the design studio. At the same time it is important to recognise that the re-use and adaptation of the existing building environment often takes place in the broader context of urban or area based regeneration, with associated social, economic and development concerns. With a growing emphasis on sustainability of the built environment the importance of creative and innovative approaches to effectively reusing the existing building stock and engendering thriving and dynamic urban areas with a sense of place has to recognised.
Now in its seventh year, the masters programme International Architectural Regeneration and Development (IARD) builds on an understanding in the fields of anthropology of architecture, urban conservation, rural development and cultural sustainability promoting an interdisciplinary approach that combines critical thinking and analysis with creative design.
We define architectural regeneration as the collective activities of reusing, adapting and evolving existing buildings within an urban or rural context in ways that recognise the impacts these decisions and interventions have on the regeneration of a place, and are underpinned by the principles of environmental, social and cultural sustainability.
The purpose of this one day symposium is to:
- Learn from practices’ approach to architectural regeneration;
- Explore ways in which architecture and postgraduate study can most effectively respond to practice;
- Expand on a theoretical framework of architectural regeneration that is informed by both practice and research.
The symposium will bring together academics and practitioners working in the field, including Robin Nicholson from Cullinan Studio, Robert Adam from ADAM Architecture, Geoff Rich from Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and Trevor Osborne from the Trevor Osborne Property Group.
The event will be of interest to practitioners in the field and teachers of architecture. Participation fee £40 (includes lunch and drinks reception).
Please contact Verity Massingham at
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for more details and to register.
