This theme investigates the intricate relationship between global development and local context. It examines the social and cultural challenges and opportunities presented by the rapid urbanization, human population changes, social inequality, cultural conflict and migration. How can international practice develop local contextual design? How can architects maintain a sense of place rather than producing generic urban spaces? What are the collaboration models, investment and development strategies, design and research processes or interdisciplinary collaborations that exemplify architectural best practice or innovation?
This theme explores how essentially regional construction techniques, materials, and tectonic systems retain significance in trans-cultural expression of meaning. It addresses the changing relationships between design and construction methods in this context, exploring the question of authenticity in contemporary architectural practice. Through negotiating the boundaries of digital, industrial, and craft construction logics, the theme further explores how representational systems and tools, potentially renew opportunities for integrating local knowledge and contextual issues of construction.
What kind of education or accreditation requirements can echo the changing professional field of architecture across borders? This theme aims to bring together practitioners, academics and professional bodies to debate the role of education and professional regulation when working in an international context. It will debate through a round table discussion the problematic for architectural practice, that while architectural practice is increasingly operating at a global level, accreditation and professional regulation are mainly at a national level. Are there transferrable and common practices that can be applied across borders?
This theme will take the form of a round table discussion, paper presentations and a workshop.
This track debates the role of technology and sustainable construction in the formation of future cities as well as in the reshaping of international architectural practice. Practice, in turn, also informs the discourse on green building and digital technologies. How do international assessment and construction standards play out in different local contexts? How can sustainability be considered, integrated, and measured throughout the design and construction process, and among different specialists? How can technological advances in BIM, parametric design, and other digital tools support the integration of a multitude of design requirements in complex workflows that cross different professional, cultural, and regulatory environments?
