19 September 2024
On this sunny evening, the RSUA ARUP Building Inspiration Lecture achieved its key purpose as the 200 strong crowd left The MAC Theatre uplifted and inspired.
This was the first public lecture organised by RSUA since 2019, and there was a buzz of expectation as people filtered in to the foyer of the MAC Belfast for the pre-talk drinks reception.
When introducing Jonathan Falkingham of Urban Splash to the stage, RSUA President John Lavery recounted the impact the property development company’s early work had on him as an architecture student.
Jonathan Falkingham delivered an insightful talk, highlighting the critical role of design and collaboration in shaping the future of sustainable urban environments.
Jonathan took the audience on a journey through some of their most inspiring projects including Concert Square in Liverpool – their first regeneration of a public space, the large-scale redevelopment of Royal William Yard in Plymouth and the Stirling Prize shortlisted Park Hill housing scheme in Sheffield.
During the lecture, Jonathan spoke about Urban Splash’s mission, “Live well by design” and underscored the importance of appointing strong teams of designers to achieve innovative solutions to regeneration.
In his keynote, Jonathan shared Urban Splash’s journey through the stages of a project. From the initial bid for public realm work, to live pitches from potential design teams in the building being regenerated and the importance of mixed-use spaces in reanimating a neighbourhood.
Jonathan also addressed the growing awareness of the environmental impact of regeneration. He talked through Urban Splash’s approach to creating spaces that are not only functional and well designed but also built sustainably and shared the outcomes of a report conducted about the Park Hill scheme, showing expected reductions in the building’s predicted operational carbon post-retrofit as well as how embodied carbon was minimised for Phase 2 of the scheme.
The Building Inspiration Lecture provided attendees with a unique opportunity to hear directly from one of the industry’s leading voices on how innovative design and a collaborative approach can drive sustainable urban development.
