2009

Ecology

Student-led Theory Forum in association with AGENCY RESEARCH CENTRE
13/14 November 2009
University of Sheffield, School of Architecture

theme
ecology, n.
1
a. The branch of biology that deals with the relationships between living organisms and their environment. Also: the relationships themselves, esp. those of a specified organism.
b. Chiefly Sociol. The study of the relationships between people, social groups, and their environment; (also) the system of such relationships in an area of human settlement. Freq. with modifying word, as cultural ecology, social ecology, urban ecology.
c. In extended use: the interrelationship between any system and its environment; the product of this.
2
The study of or concern for the effect of human activity on the environment; advocacy of restrictions on industrial and agricultural development as a political movement; (also) a political movement dedicated to this.
COMPOUNDS
attrib. Of or relating to ecological issues such as industrial pollution considered in a political context; spec. applied to various political movements (esp. in western Europe) which represent the environmental or ‘green’ interest.
[OED Definition of Ecology]

What has this got to do with architecture?
In architecture, ECOLOGY focuses on the impact of the built form on the environment and society. It recognises the importance of theoretical research as a foundation for development in everything from sustainable design to community development. Theory forum 09 addresses the notion of ECOLOGY and architecture. How is ECOLOGY translated from other fields of research into architecture?
Concepts of ECOLOGY vary between disciplines. Proposing ECOLOGY as a central theme around which to develop a common language, can a system of sharing and collaboration between the diverse fields of research and professions be created?
Research and theory should be recognised by professions of the built environment and consequently society. Is the sharing of knowledge in such a way the answer to the progression of research in academia?
theory forum 09 wants to explore how architecture engages with the concept of ECOLOGY. The forum aims to collate various methodologies and operations conducted by related disciplines, as well as divergent fields of research. The aim for the theory forum 09: ECOLOGY will be to become a testing ground through which a common language of ECOLOGY can be formulated.

Format
This year, the annual theory forum at the Sheffield School of Architecture is prepared and organized by a group of M.Arch students. We aim to create a cross-disciplinary platform of events that stimulates activity, encourages discussion and develops theory between a diversity of disciplines.
The event will take the form of a 2-day evolving habitat of adaptable spaces with diverse talks, workshops and interventions. It will be held at the Crookesmoor Building, the temporary home of the Sheffield School of Architecture. 

2008

Agency

Architectural Humanities Research Association 5th International Conference
14 / 15 November 2008
University of Sheffield, School of Architecture

AGENCY, the 5th International Conference of the Architectural Humanities Research Association, asks for a more active relationship between the humanities, the architectural profession, and society. The conference will attempt to energise these relationships by addressing issues of agency, and will specifically address the role of architectural humanities research as an agency of transformation.

While the potential of agency is most frequently taken to be the power and freedom to act for oneself, for the architectural and architectural research community this also involves the power and responsibility to act as intermediaries on behalf of others. There are a number of factors that affect how well this potential can be realised.

AGENCY accepts that the conditions for effective action are both contingent on individual circumstances and constantly changing. Nevertheless, the conference sets out to explore how humanities research can better contribute towards understanding current architectural needs, possibilities and capacities for action. It will explore what is meant by ‘action’ in this context, what kinds of activities and conditions are relevant, what prevents the effective exercise of agency, and how the consideration of such prevention might indicate effective points of, and tactics for, alternative action.

Research in the architectural humanities has tended to be too inward looking, avoiding these kinds of questions and leaving important aspects of architecture’s role dramatically under-theorised. AGENCY will investigate active and outward looking approaches to humanities research, attempting to connect to a number of key political and social issues. The conference thus moves away from a concentration on the immediate objects and processes of architectural production towards an investigation of their wider context and possibilities.

It is proposed to focus the conference on two key areas where questions concerning the relationships between architecture and agency are particularly significant: the particular possibilities of ARCHITECTURAL PRAXIS, and the big social and political questions of our age concerning the SURVIVAL OF THE ENVIRONMENT. In each case the intention is that such questions will be addressed through humanities research approaches, allowing our field of research to invigorate these neglected areas.

For more information: http://www.agency-conference.info/

2007

Alternate Currents: A Symposium on Alternative Architectural Praxis

Alternate Currents is a major international symposium which looks at alternative forms of architectural praxis. The symposium will present a range of ideas from around the world, which propose new and reflective ways to conduct architectural practice. Many of the speakers start from a critical position with regard to the normative models of architectural practice and the values embedded in it. Whether from political, social, gender or theoretical standpoints, the speakers propose innovative ways of thinking about the future of architectural practice. The symposium is open to all and is particularly relevant to practitioners and students interested in alternative ways of operating.

The symposium will be held in Sheffield and runs from 10.00am on 26th 
November to 5.30pm on 27th November. There is no charge, but it will be necessary to register for the event.

The symposium is part of an AHRC funded research project, ‘Alternative Architectural Praxis’, being conducted at the School of Architecture, University of Sheffield by Jeremy Till and Tatjana Schneider.

Speakers:
Tessa Baird, Anna Holder, James Wakeford / London
Jens Brandt / Copenhagen
Carolyn Butterworth + Sam Vardy / Sheffield
Jonathan Charley / Glasgow
Prue Chiles + Leo Care, BDR / Sheffield
Pedro Gadanho / Lisbon
Emiliano Gandolfi / Rotterdam
Mathias Heyden / Berlin
Andreas Lang, public works / London
Maria Lucia Malard / Belo Horizonte
Ruth Morrow / Belfast
Andreas Müller / Berlin
Constantin Petcu, Doina Petrescu + Helen Stratford / Paris/Cambridge
Jean-François Prost / Montreal
Colin Ripley / Toronto
Flora Samuel / Bath
William Tozer / London

Keynote:
MOM/ Belo Horizonte/Brazil

How to book a ticket

Admission is free, but all attendees will need to register before Friday 16 November. To register email Dr Tatjana Schneider (t.schneider@sheffield.ac.uk), stating your name, address, telephone number and email address and whether you will be attending both days.