14 Jan 2022

2021 Global Architecture Exchanges: People, planet, profession – Watch the Recordings

We are delighted to bring you the recordings of the 2021 Global Architecture Exchanges: People, planet, profession series.

The topics explored are:

Topic 1 - Climate change/sustainability – How do architects respond to climate emergency? – 9 and 10 June 2021
Topic 2 – The Future of cities – Revitalising/ reimagining cities post-Covid – 27 and 28 July 2021
Topic 3 – Affordable housing - what can architects do to address social inequalities? – 22 and 23 September 2021
Topic 4 – The impacts of COVID-19 on the way we practice architecture – 17 and 18 November 2021

The talks are part of the Global Architecture Exchanges (GAE), an online series of fast paced presentations delivered between June and November 2021, during which we are exploring four topics, and how challenges are dealt with in different parts of the world. These events are jointly hosted by: the RIAI, RIBA and Architects’ Institutes around the world.

Topic 1: Climate change/sustainability – How do architects respond to climate emergency? – 9 and 10 June 2021

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13 depicts that "Climate change is a global challenge that affects everyone, everywhere." Explore how architects in different countries are tackling this universal challenge. How do architects across the world include sustainability and reducing the effect of climate change in their designs? We will be discussing not only the practical steps and measures architects need to consider when designing a new building or spaces, but also the links between technology, circular economy, and architecture.

Chair of the RIAI Sustainability Taskforce Sarah O’Dwyer represented the RIAI on Climate change/sustainability – How do architects respond to climate emergency? sessions. Sarah gave a presentation on the RIAI Guide: Sustainable Design Pathways.

Topic 1 programme (PDF)

The two sessions' recordings are now available on YouTube:

Session 1 (9 June 2021) – This session includes speakers from the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, USA, Brazil
Session 2 (10 June 2021) – This session includes speakers from the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand

Topic 2 – The Future of cities – Revitalising/ reimagining cities post-Covid – 27 and 28 July 2021

Have cities become obsolete? Is there a need to rethink our cities and manage future pandemics?
How to design cities that are more multi-functional; provide good quality of life for residents (better places to live and work); are inclusive to all groups in society; and built for the future instead of for the upcoming decade.
How has the pandemic affected the way we experience, think and design public spaces? How can we move biodiversity into designing cities that are more inclusive with nature?

Bob Hannan; Senior Architect, Architects’ Department of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council represented the RIAI.

Bob Hannan MRIAI is a Senior Architect in the Architects’ Department of Dún LaoghaireRathdown County Council. After graduation with Honours from University College Dublin he completed postgraduate studies in urban design at the University of Rouen France and also holds a Masters Degree in Urban and Regional Planning. Bob gained considerable experience in residential, retail and commercial development in the private sector before joining Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council in 2000. He now leads an award-winning team that specialises in high energy efficient housing, urban design, the design of civic buildings and public realm projects. Bob has a particular interest in placemaking, and place led architecture. His work on the Council’s response to Covid 19 across the Villages of the County has just been declared joint winners of the Best Public Space category in the 2021 RIAI Awards.

Topic 2 programme (PDF)

The two sessions' recordings are now available on YouTube:

Session 1 (27 July 2021) – This session includes speakers from the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, USA, Brazil
Session 2 (28 July 2021) – This session includes speakers from the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, China, South Korea, New Zealand

Topic 3 – Affordable housing - what can architects do to address social inequalities? – 22 and 23 September 2021

Director of CMQ Architecture and Sketch Architects Gerry Cahill represented the RIAI

Gerry Cahill AA Dipl FRIAI RIBA is a director of CMQ Architecture and Sketch Architects. He is a recipient of the Lord Mayor's Award in 2000 for his contribution to Dublin and his pioneering work in urban renewal and in the design of social and cooperative housing. As part of Urban Projects he was awarded the RIAI Silver Medal for Housing for Clarion Quay in Dublin's docklands. He taught at UCD School of Architecture from 1978 to 2017.

Topic 3 programme (PDF)

The recordings of the two sessions are now available on YouTube:

Session 1 ( 22 September)– This session includes speakers from the UK, Ireland, China, Japan, Australia
S ession 2 (23 September)– This session includes speakers from the UK, Ireland, USA, Brazil

Topic 4 – The impacts of COVID-19 on the way we practice architecture – 17 and 18 November 2021

Photo Credit: PICTURE PLANE

Technology is a tool which has enabled us to change how we practise architecture. Now is the opportunity to use the same tool to address social inequalities and encourage more diversity in the workplace (gender equality, social background, inclusivity).
How solutions currently being implemented in response to COVID-19 can reinforce, and potentially worsen some of the challenges that discourage a more diverse profession?
How COVID-19 demonstrates that the profession is resilient and open to change?

Pandemic & Practice: On Site at The Marshall Building, LSE, Lincoln's Inn Fields with Grafton Architects representing Ireland. Anne Henry, David Healy and Fiona Hughes discussed design and delivery of the new Marshall Building for the LSE during the pandemic.

Topic 4 programme (PDF)