ARCHITECT@WORK RETURNS TO THE TRUMAN BREWERY FOR 2023

ARCHITECT@WORK, a two-day trade fair aimed at the British architecture and design community, will take place at the Truman Brewery in London from 22nd to 23rd March.

The 10th edition will see a stellar line up of talks and over 200 of the latest product innovations in surface solutions, lighting technology, as well as interior and exterior fixtures and fittings, showcased by a selection of leading architectural suppliers. All exhibitors undergo a rigorous selection process, with an external judging panel overseeing the product selection, to ensure that ARCHITECT@WORK remains one of the UK’s most highly-respected trade shows of its kind.

Other show highlights include the RIBA Bookshop and a photographic exhibition by World-Architects. With a free bar and catering throughout, visitors will be able to network in a modern, creative and loungelike atmosphere.

Talks programme

This year’s theme, Energy & Ecosystems, will allow the talks programme to explore a range of different projects, places and experiences. Talks will take place both in person and via live stream.

The keynote talk in the series will be with Amin Taha. After working for a number of architectural practices, such as Chris Wilkinson Architects (later Wilkinson Eyre) and Zaha Hadid Architects, he founded Amin Taha Architects in 2003 in London, which later changed its name to GROUPWORK. Author Dr Ruth Lang will be in conversation with Taha about the journey to a future built on the past. It is now well established that keeping our existing building stock and repurposing it is one of the best things we can do for the environment. This retrofit revolution has not gone unnoticed. It is the cornerstone of campaigns and is being debated in parliament. www.architect-at-work.co.uk

For the first time, ARCHITECT@WORK will host a Negroni Talk. Created in 2018, ‘The Negroni Talks’ – hosted by architect firm Fourthspace and sponsored by Campari – were set up to replicate the lively and provocative debates that took place in the European cafe culture of the early 20th century. This lively debate series has taken the architecture scene by storm, picking up an Archiboo Award in 2021 and spawning a host of articles and wider industry conversations. ‘Net zero – fact or fallacy?’ will question what the concept of net zero really means. With carbon offsetting taking place abroad, there is a fiery debate raging about the ethical and practical implications of net zero.

‘Positive About Energy Saving’ will explore how the energy our buildings consume (or operational carbon to the initiated) is one of the big challenges architects, designers and developers face. Tenants want to work in green buildings, and new regulations are shifting towards more efficient places to live and work. How do we manage this from the concept and financing through to the landscape and lighting?

Decisions about little things can have a big impact as you reach critical mass. ‘Making The Most Of Waste’ will question how we fit out our homes and workspaces with materials that make the most of waste and whether this affects aesthetics – chaired by Debika Ray, Editor of Crafts Magazine.

‘Earth Building: what can the planet provide?’, chaired by Curator and Writer Vanessa Norwood, will explore how we create a new built environment using the materials supplied by Mother Earth. Ancient buildings were made of straw, timber and stone. It looks like a brighter and more sustainable path might be tread if we return to our roots, but we will need research and clever engineering.

Historically, places and spaces have been commissioned from an extremely homogenous perspective. Creating climate equity will discuss how the key to making better environments for all is through inclusivity and diversity. We can create spaces that work better for different communities by listening to a broader spectrum of opinions.