An Evening with Architecture Foundation's Ricky Burdett

Ricky Burdett, Professor of Urban Studies at the London School of Economics, Founding Director of the Architecture Foundation (AF) and co-author of The Endless City and Living in the Endless City, is to host the first of three discussions celebrating the AF’s 20th anniversary in London tomorrow evening (10 May). The AF Past Director’s Dialogues discussion reflects upon the key projects undertaken during each Director’s tenure, and maps the organisation’s evolution. In this first retrospective a prestigious panel of participants will join Burdett, including Amanda Levete, Tony Travers, Sir Peter Hall and Richard Rogers.

Throughout the evening, Burdett will address the following projects: London in 21st Century Debates (1996), a series of public forum debates that provided over 15,000 members of the public a voice in shaping the future of London; and Croydon in the Future (1993), one of the most successful architecture shows ever held in Britain, which showcased the work of 15 then-emerging designers that generated creative yet realistic solutions for Croyden’s problem areas.

Other topics include: New British Architecture (1994) and Public Views (1995), exhibitions that brought innovative architectural ideas to the general public and championed the work of contemporary young architects and designers; and the legacy of the Foyer Competition (1993), through which housing and homeless charity Shelter asked the AF to co-ordinate an international design competition for young architects to design Britain’s first new-build Foyer, a transitional centre for homeless youth.

All of these early projects relate to the very hot issues of urbanization, social inequality and the way in which cities evolve. These themes are thoroughly explored in The Endless City and forthcoming Living in the Endless City which are co-edited by Burdett.

Burdett is an authoritative voice on the issues surrounding contemporary architecture and urban theory. This first talk in the series provides a great opportunity to gain an insight into his early work with the AF. Follow the link to wegottickets to order tickets: £5 for AF members and £7 full price.