Breaking boundaries: architectures of inclusion

Architecture is often seen as something that generates boundaries, rather than helping to break them down. Most spaces we live and work in today follow a general set of rules and norms that make them inaccessible to at least some of their users. From out-of-reach kitchen cabinets and narrow pavements to spaces that simply do not allow for access, growth and change, architecture can stop people from living to their full capacity.

Social, cultural and economic inequalities are literally built into our buildings and cities. But instead of dwelling on these boundaries, we’ll be inviting academics, journalists and designers to consider how creative and generous architecture can create spaces of inclusion.

Speakers:

Helen Allen is Practice Director of David Bonnett Associates, an award winning architectural access consultancy based in London. She originally trained as a furniture designer before pursuing a degree and career in landscape architecture in order to follow her passion for design, ‘place making’, sustainability and ecology with a view to creating exciting, accessible and productive landscapes and public realm.

Dr. Jo-Anne Bichard (chair) is a Senior Research Fellow at the Royal College of Art; Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design. Her research explores design equity and wider issues of wellbeing in the built environment, and has specifically focused on the design and provision of public toilets as key for wider social inclusion. She is co-creator with Gail Ramster of The Great British Public Toilet Map.

Danna Walker is the founder and director of Built By Us, an award-winning innovative social enterprise which exists to actively champion greater diversity and inclusion in the construction sector. Her career spans over 20 years in the construction and built environment, encompassing various roles including electrician and architect, and within the field of vocational education. She is currently a board member of Public Practice and former charity Trustee and elected Board member for the Architects Registration Board.

Dubravka Sekulic is an architect researching transformations of contemporary cities. She joined the IZK Institute for Contemporary Art in September 2016 after spending three years as a PhD fellow at the Institute for History and Theory of Architecture, ETH Zürich, Switzerland.