Our chapter started the Autumn in high gear, with a very packed schedule, but most importantly the resumption of our in-person events. The first of these was the much-loved Summer Gala: ‘Soiree in the Jungle’, which was held at the ZSL London Zoo on Friday 10 September. This brought together Sponsors, Members and Friends of the AIA UK for a fun evening at this unique and exciting location, the world’s oldest scientific zoo!
image credit: Agnese Sanvito
We also had our annual Bike & Sketching Tour organised by Lorraine King, AIA, on 18 September, and which explored the architecture of S.E. London.
The annual AIA UK + RIBA Keynote Lecture was held at the RIBA on 27 September 2021. This year the lecture was delivered by Mexican Architect Tatiana Bilbao, with a welcome address by RIBA President Simon Allford, RIBA, and AIA National President Peter Exley, FAIA.
AIA International President & AIA UK Board Member Lester Korzilius, FAIA, and AIA UK President Katharine Storr, AIA, organised this year’s keynote lecture, with Katharine moderating the event. Ms. Tatiana Bilbao, a few board members and sponsors, as well as AIA National & RIBA Presidents, then attended a post-lecture dinner held in honour of Tatiana Bilbao. Board Officers & Directors also held a productive Breakfast meeting with Peter Exley, FAIA, the following day.
Our Sustainability chair Dr. Mark Breeze, AIA, then joined Peter Exley, FAIA, and the team from AIA National, at various informative events at the COP-26 summit, which was held in Glasgow.
Our popular Movie Night Series which I host, returned to the BFI Stephen Street on 19 October. I screened ‘Shelter Without Shelter’, a film by board member Dr. Mark Breeze, AIA. This was very well attended, and the subject matter very emotive, which resulted in the longest Q&A session we’ve ever had after any film! Attendees were lucky to have the director, Dr. Mark Breeze, AIA, present to lead this passionate discussion.
The Annual Student Charrette organised by Nick Kehagias, AIA, was held on Saturday 30 October. We also had more lectures: A Technical Lecture: ‘Architects on Fire’, delivered by Paul Bussey FIIRSM of AHMM, and another Sustainability Lecture by Raphael Lafargue of climate engineering firm Transsolar. We also held more sponsor events: Three by Iris Ceramica in their showroom, and virtual lectures by Beale & Co., and a gallery event by ROCA.
Lastly, this Autumn I had the pleasure of representing our chapter at the successful AIA Middle East and AIA International Annual Conference in Dubai. I joined AIA International President & AIA UK Board Member Lester Korzilius, FAIA, and our Chapter Executive and AIA International Administrative Director, Genie Khmelnitski at this conference.
The Autumn has been another packed quarter for our chapter, and we shall properly recap 2021 at our AGM, which will be a hybrid event held on Wednesday 26 January 2022, at the Herman Miller showroom in London. Please join us for this event, and many thanks to all who have been able to join our events this year!
