Strategies for the contemporary city
October 7–November 4, 2021
Organised by Allies and Morrison each year, Citymakers explores the role of masterplanning in architecture and urban change. It brings together designers, developers, planners, academics, journalists and collaborators to look beyond the boundaries between practitioners and the public, between site and the city, between spaces and society. Citymakers this year will explore different facets of the picturesque in the design and planning of cities.
Some may think the picturesque is outdated and irrelevant, easy to dismiss as a purely visual discipline. But might the strategies it pioneered—of legibility, particularity and intrigue—have value in the shaping of the contemporary city? Perhaps the picturesque still holds some clues as to how to reconcile the ever-increasing technical, economic and environmental imperatives with the need to design places for people?
The conference will be held both virtually and with limited availability in person at Allies and Morrison’s studios in Bankside, London, over three Thursdays this autumn.
The picturesque in theory and practice
October 7, 2021, 8:30–10am BST
An introduction to the historic origins of the picturesque from the 18th century to modernism, and how its influences can be found in contemporary architecture today. Speakers: Professor John Macarthur, University of Queensland and Alfredo Caraballo, Allies and Morrison.
As founded, as needed, as experienced
October 21, 2021, 5–7pm BST
From large scale housing projects to the reclaiming of industrial land as new mixed centres for 21st century cities, how are picturesque strategies being employed in real life conditions today? Speakers: Lisa Woo, Meridian Water / London Borough of Enfield; Professor Tim Stonor, Space Syntax; Antje Saunders, Allies and Morrison; Graham Morrison, Allies and Morrison; Eelco Hooftman, GROSS.MAX; and Hendrik Heyns, Allies and Morrison.
Observations on the picturesque
November 4, 2021, 5–7pm GMT
An exploration of different facets of picturesque ideas, traditions and geographies—and a discussion about how these might shape sustainable urban outcomes. Speakers: Dr Divya Subramanian, Columbia University; Dr Otto Saumarez-Smith, University of Warwick; Rashid bin Shabib, curator and urbanist; William Mann, Witherford Watson Mann; Dr Emily Mann, The Courtauld; Dr Dirk van den Heuvel, TU Delft and Cany Ash, Ash Sakula Architects.
Register here via eventbrite or email press [at] alliesandmorrison.com, indicating which session(s) you wish to attend and whether your preference is to do so virtually or in person.
