Masterclass in Adaptive Intelligence: Total Architecture Series

Описание: On August 30, 2024, we hosted a landmark event as part of our Total Architecture Series: a Masterclass in Adaptive Intelligence. The evening brought together visionary minds from the African Futures Institute and our talented Arup team, fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas and invaluable networking opportunities.

The heart of the discussion revolved around a critical question: What can Africa teach the world about adaptation? We explored the unique perspectives and opportunities within the African context that can shape the future of the built environment. This conversation urged architects, engineers, landscape architects, and urban designers to think creatively about resilience, conservation, and the interplay between artificial and adaptive intelligence.

Our distinguished panel included:

Prof Lesley Lokko OBE: Academic, best-selling novelist and the Founder and Chair of the African Futures Institute, headquartered in Accra, Ghana. She is the recipient of the RIBA Royal Gold Medal 2024 and was the curator of the 18th International Architecture Exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia. She holds a BSc(Arch), MArch and PhD from The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London and has lectured and published widely on the subject of race, identity and architecture. She is a frequent contributor to international juries, awards and publications. She is the Director of the Nomadic African Studio, a month-long teaching programme in multiple cities around the African continent.

Yemí Aládérun: Architect and head of development for Meridian Water in the London Borough of Enfield, non-executive director for Women’s Pioneer Housing Association, co-founder of Paradigm Network, a core member of Part W, and has served as a national council member for the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Tara Gbolade: Co-founding Director of Gbolade Design Studio – an award-winning architectural practice in London. Trustee of the UK Green Building Council, a Mayor’s Design Advocate and the winner of the UK Net Zero Climate Champions Powerlist.

Dr Patrick Ata: A former board member of one of Africa’s leading banks, Patrick is Managing Director of the privately-held Atlantic International Holding Company in Accra, Ghana and sits on the Board of Directors of the African Futures Institute.

Tessa Brunette: Associate Director, Arup – architects, integrator and building envelope designer focusing on sustainable development in emerging and developing markets, with experience in sub-Saharan Africa.

Fredrick Mukonoweshuro: Associate Director, Arup. Water business leader, active part of Arup’s ConnectRACE leadership network, Institute of Civil Engineering (ICE) country representative for Zimbabwe and Arup representative for the Major Projects Association (MPA).

Together, we examined how multidisciplinary approaches, emerging technologies, and principles of
de-growth can guide us toward more equitable ways of utilizing and conserving the world’s resources. The discussion also challenged us as design professionals to engage with the environment—ecological, social, and political—in ways that are both intelligent and sensitive.

Timestamps:

00:00 – 03:42 | Introduction: Kim Quasi, Director, Architecture, Arup

03:45 – 05:44 | Keynote: Professor Lesley Lokko

05:45 – 09:24 | Chameleon Video c/o National Geographic*

09:25 – 17:35 | Keynote: (continued) Professor Lesley Lokko

17:40 – 18:59 | Introduction: Julia Cabanas, Architect, Arup

19:00 – 27:09 | Tessa Brunette, Associate Director, Arup

27:10 – 28:59 | Introduction to the panel: Professor Lesley Lokko

29:00 – 1:41:20 | Panel discussion

1:11:21 – 1:41:50 | Closing remarks: Anna Helliar, Architect, Arup

1:44 | Ends