Vision 2018 – a two-day conference and exhibition aimed at architects, designers, specifiers and clients – takes place on 21st and 22nd June at Islington’s Business Design Centre. The event showcases the latest developments in materials, products and technology alongside a rolling programme of lectures, seminars and debates examining the key issues facing architecture and construction today.
Vision 2018 has joined forces with Architecture Today to produce a high-profile conference programme where some of the biggest names in the industry discuss the challenges facing architecture and construction and suggest solutions and set out their thoughts as to how to adapt and thrive.
Leading names in urbanism will be discussing contemporary theory and practice. Ben Rogers, Director of think tank Centre for London, will be asking whether London can be both prosperous and fair. Sunand Prasad will present Penoyre & Prasad’s proposals for Himley Village, a highly sustainable scheme of 1,700 new homes which will form part of the 6,000 home NW Bicester eco-town. And Max Farrell will be talking about the principals of city making in a presentation ranging from international case studies to Farrells’ own designs for the Northern Gateway, a landmark scheme which will unlock the development potential of more than 300 acres of land to provide more than 10,000 new homes in a series of distinct yet clearly connected communities across northern Manchester.
The architects behind some of the most celebrated sustainable housing projects will be reflecting on their most famous projects and their legacy and on subsequent developments in their work. Sarah Wigglesworth will discuss her seminal project Stock Orchard Street. Described by the Architect’s Journal as ‘the most influential house in a generation’ the building incorporates office space for Sarah Wigglesworth Architects and a private home with a sustainable features including straw bales, sandbags and loadbearing gabions, a composting toilet, green roof and rainwater storage. Pioneering eco-architect Bill Dunster will reflect on the legacy of BedZED, the UK’s first large-scale mixed use sustainable community, and the practice’s subsequent work including the ZEDlife plan, a toolkit to deliver a safer, more equitable society with reduced dependence on fossil fuel.
Experts will be looking at the impact of new technologies on contemporary life. Architect Harbinder Singh Birdi of Hawkins Brown will ask how technology will transform the way we travel, Paul Foulkes from WAGO will be looking at the way building automation can contribute to health and well-being while smart building specialists Mapiq will present their data-driven behavioural approach to flexible, user-focused workplace design.
Other speakers include Maria Smith, head of transdisciplinary architecture and engineering practice Interrobang, who will be discussing the practice’s conversion of the Hoover building, a Grade 2* listed art deco office building in Ealing, into 66 residential units, Patrick Schumacher, Principal of Zaha Hadid Architects, who sparked controversy by calling for social housing to be scrapped and public space to be abolished and a roster of Stirling Prize-winning architects including Paul Monaghan, Chris Wilkinson and Alex de Rijke.
Vision Director Matt Underhill said: ‘Brexit and the threat of recession make it a particularly uncertain time for architecture and construction. There has never been a better time to take stock of ourselves as an industry and the challenges we face.’
Now in its fourth year, Vision 2018 has changed venue to be closer to the heart of the design community and is bigger and better than ever. A wide range of exhibitors – including the best-known major brands along with a range of dynamic SMEs and innovative start-ups – will be showcasing and demonstrating new products, materials, systems and technologies designed for the built environment. Vision 2018 has teamed up with partners from Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg to offer visitors a chance to meet companies and view products which would not otherwise be accessible in the UK.
There will also be a rolling programme of practical CPD-certified learning sessions on technology, products and materials and changes in legislation. Matt Underhill said ‘Vision was conceived as a forum for the exchange of information and ideas and a practical resource working resource. We wanted to capture the right balance between being inspirational and entertaining and a really useful day out.’
The exhibition continues into the evening on 21st June with Vision Late Night. Visitors can view the exhibition and join a range of evening events including a Drinks & Networking Reception sponsored by Architecture Today and New London Architecture’s annual PechaKucha, a series of punchy fast-paced talks designed to inspire, entertain and provoke.
This year sees the launch of 100@Vision, an initiative designed to bring expert suppliers and architects together to explore solutions for the built environment. The networking event, on June 21st, will give a maximum of 30 suppliers the opportunity to showcase their products and services to 100 leading architects during an exclusive face-to-face meeting followed by a drinks reception. The evening will round off with dinner at Frederick’s, a much-loved Islington restaurant.
Vision 2018 is being delivered in partnership with RIBA, CIAT, BRE, NLA, the London Festival of Architecture and Architecture Today.
For information about exhibiting at Vision 2018 or attending 100@Vision email [email protected] or call +44 (0)20 3409 0623. Visit www.visionlondon.com to register for your free ticket to the event.
