Keynote 2 by Josef Hargrave

Designing for a new normal - Rethinking the future of building design

Event Description

One of the challenges of contemporary design and engineering practice is our ever deeper and broader understanding of what ‘good’ looks like. We no longer focus purely on aesthetics and function, but increasingly on themes that relate to ‘social, economic and environmental outcomes’, performance in the context of health and wellbeing, or the ‘circularity’ of components, materials and structures. As our knowledge of ‘things that matter’ deepens, so does the volume of factors that an engineer and designer may need to consider to achieve a ‘good’ outcome; in particular in the broader context of our clients, stakeholders, society, or even the planet.

Climate change, artificial intelligence, and smart materials are just some of the trends that will transform the future design and function of our built environment. While it is relatively easy to identify these changes, it is much harder to assess how they will impact the design of a specific building, a masterplan or a part of a city. To understand implications and manage uncertainty we must challenge our own perception of ‘normal’ and explore what our future context will look like. We must apply strategies and processes that help us understand and anticipate the design of structures, processes and experiences of tomorrow.

This talk will look at some of the key trends shaping the future of building design, including new design paradigms for a more sustainable future.

CES: 1.0 LU for AIA members

Speaker

Josef Hargrave, Global Foresight Leader, Arup