‘STEAMing Ahead? Working Across Disciplines in Creative Learning’ - 3 April 2023 - 5pm

Today there are many concerns about the loss of creativity in the school curriculum. STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths – and other methods are advocating a more holistic and transdisciplinary approach to learning.

What can architects learn from their engineer and science peers – and vice versa – about innovative and engaging ways of creative learning for young people? How might such methods be better built into both school education and professional built environment practice?

Speakers: Kat Dewell, People & Culture Manager, Civic Engineers, Heba Tabidi, Founder, Creative Director and Structural Engineer at Space Black, Chris Wise, Senior Director, Expedition Engineering, and Researcher, University of Bath

Webinar Video view here and download summary here.

 ‘How do we create public spaces that work for young people?’ - 6 March 2023 - 5pm

Well-designed and maintained public spaces – whether parks and gardens, playgrounds, streets and squares – are vital for children and young people to develop social skills, build confidence and learn to become independent. Yet there are many concerns about such factors as poor design, safety and security of the spaces they use every day. What do young people need in design of the public realm to explore their city with confidence, and how can we bring their views into decision-making on public spaces?

Speakers: Maria Vassilakou, Urban strategist and advisor on urban transformation (former Vice-Mayor of Vienna); Susannah Walker, Co-founder, Make Space for Girls;  Shankari Raj, Head of Education, Design West, Saira Ali, Bradford Metropolitan Council, Joanne Harrop, Director, PLACED (Chair)

Webinar Video YouTube (written summary to follow)

‘Designing Better Future Homes for Young People 6 February 2023 - 5pm

The home is our first and most formative experience of the built environment. At a time when the UK - and many other countries - face many urgent housing problems, how can we ensure that young people’s voices are best taken into account when designing and building new homes? And how can we harness their innovative and creative ideas to make better homes for all?

Webinar Video YouTube and download summary here.

Speakers: Abigail Batchelor, Associate Director, Karakusevic Carson Architects, Toni Marie Dyer-Miller, communications executive, Dr Bonnie Kwok, Principal Urban Designer/Greater Cambridge Design Review Panel Manager, Greater Cambridge Shared Planning, Mark Southgate, Chief Executive, MOBIE, Helena Thompson, Artistic Director, SPID Theatre

‘How to embed social value into practice through engaging future generations’ - February 2022

Social value is delivered in many ways - stakeholder engagement, mentoring, partnerships - but all create a more equitable society.

Chaired by Hilary Satchwell - Director, Tibbalds Planning and Urban Design

Speakers: Claire Pollock, Partnerships Lead, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, Anna Davies, Director, David Miller Architects, Mellis Haward, Director, Archio, and Shawn Adams, Founding Partner, POoR Collective

Watch the full discussion and download summary here

 ‘How can new technologies be harnessed to successfully engage young people in architecture and urban design?’ - January 2022

How can new technologies be harnessed to successfully engage young people in architecture and urban design, and make child-friendly cities?

Watch the full discussion, and download summary here.

Chaired by Simeon Shtebunaev - Birmingham City University

Speakers: Dr Sara Candiracci, Associate Director, International Development Group and Lead Inclusive and Resilient Cities, Arup, Dr Bobby Nisha, Department of Urban Studies and Planning, University of Sheffield, Blaithin Quinn, Curator of Learning, Irish Architecture Foundation

‘How to engage young people in sustainable urban design in relation to the climate emergency challenge’ - November 2021

Young people today are spearheading action to try to halt the destructive effects of the climate crisis. The need to make buildings and spaces greener is universally accepted, but what are the examples of meaningful engagement with young people on this issue?

Full discussion - video of event and download summary here

Chaired by Hattie Hartman, Sustainability Editor, The Architects’ Journal

Speakers: Neil Onions - Beyond the Box, Simeon Shtebunaev, Birmingham City University, Sumita Singha, Ecologic Architects

‘How do young people experience personal development through built environment activities and programmes?’ - April 2021

What are the best ways to work with children and young people specifically around environmentally sustainable buildings and spaces?

Watch the full discussion, download summary and email suggestions for future events.

The discussion was shared with individuals and organisations including Aquinas CoE Education Trust, Architecture Edge, Dorset Council, Matt+Fiona, Fundación Aldea, Giant Dolls House Project, HomeGrownPlus, House of Imagination, Irish Architecture Foundation, Placed, Queen University Belfast, RIBA, The Bartlett, The Glasshouse, RIBA, Urban Learners and facilitated by Victoria Thornton.