RIBA Lecture, Beyond Buildings

Feb 2010. Making Landscape work. I raced across London on the bike after lectures in the worst pouring with rain I can remember. This lecture was being hosted by Whitelaw Turkington at Grimshaws Clerkenwell offices and was debating the value of landscape within the higher education environment. An interesting fact was that campuses are often at their best during the summer month, but students are not there. Sarah Gaventa a Director of CABE Space spoke very well and used slides to show why she felt most campuses are uninviting. Neil Sidor of Grimshaws thought that campuses should produce much of their own food. Other speakers were, Kathryn, Steve Dickson Director of Liverpool Uni facilities, Paul Smith Director of JMP and Fleur Timmer of Bioversity by Design. Lindsey Whitelaw played the host and controlled proceeding like a jovial but respected Headmistress. I was surprised that nobody had spoken to me, as I was he only student there and would have been able to shed some light on the reality of campus life. I felt the suits were being to considerate as to students needs and did not realise that most are happy with cheap food, no bins and simply require power for their laptops. Solar power and more meeting spaces would also always win support.