dendrite studios

How do we build well in a fundamentally changing climate? - A thinking space for forward-looking building professionals

Systemic environmental challenges and especially climate change have recently been pushed onto the local and global agenda as never before. Yet, despite all the attention, for most people outside the scientific community a great deal of uncertainty still remains as to what is actually happening, how it may impact daily life and what our response should be. Architects, builders and built environment professionals are key stakeholders in this debate, yet many are unsure as to how to respond to it effectively.

Dendrite Studios therefore proposes a seminar series, designed and delivered in partnership with the Southern African office of the University of Cambridge Programme for Industry. It is aimed at built environment professionals and other interested parties to inform them of some of the changes in our knowledge about relevant systemic challenges and to explore best practice responses.

Format:
The seminar series will not be a traditional lecture series, rather a joint exploration of the subject, with a wide variety of experts and practitioners contributing different segments of knowledge impacting the field. Every session will therefore consist of a short position statement (10 to 15 minutes) by the experts where they highlight their experience in the field, briefly describe what they are busy with in the field and what they think are important matters for discussion.

The participants will then have time to discuss the comments in small groups, and formulate one or two questions for the experts. The experts will then briefly respond to the questions but will also draw in participants who have knowledge relating to the questions.

Depending on the time, the plenary Q & A will be followed by more facilitated small group discussions around the sessions’ topic.

Where participants have specific questions, especially on factual or technical matters, that they would like to have answered, they will have the opportunity to put these questions to the facilitators who will post them on a white board or overhead projector. Time will be allowed at the end of each session for people with relevant knowledge to answer these questions in a type of open space format.

Documentation:
At the beginning of the series, each attendee will be handed a document with an outline of the various sessions and with extensive background reference material and web links. CD’s containing not just the links but the actual content, including articles, images and videos can also be obtained at the end of the seminar series.

Who should attend:
The seminars are designed for architects, urban designers and builders but anyone with a keen interest in the built environment will find them stimulating. It is envisaged that about 100 people will attend the series.

Details:
DATES: 2, 4, 9, 11 & 16 October 2007

TIME: 16:30 - 18:30

VENUE: BP Head Office, V & A Waterfront (underground parking available)

COST: R500 per person for series or R125 per session (payable in advance)

CPD: Accredited with SAIA for 1 CPD point

SPEAKERS: Confirmed speakers include

• Prof. Mark Swilling (Sustainability Institute)
• Prof. Edgar Pieterse (UCT)
• Dr. Guy Midgley (South African National Biodiversity Institute)
• Alex Robertson (ARA Consultants)
• Peter Willis (Cambridge Programme for Industry)
• Stef Raubenheimer (South South North)
• Vernon Collis & Anna Cowen
• Andy Horn
• Gita Goven
• Martin Kruger

PROGRAM:
Session 1: Overview of Climate Change and its Implications
Session 2: Overview of the Implications of Urbanization and Other Ecological System Pressures
Sesson 3: The New Design Parameters
Session 4: Construction Materials, Techniques and Standards
Session 5: Getting Practical

To book your spot please e-mail your name and contact details to info@dendrite.co.za or contact Dirk Visser on 083 324 5015.