Negroni Talks

Long hours and low pay are standard, all-nighters are a badge of honour, and leaving on time is derided as lacking the necessary commitment and 'working by the clock’. Why is architecture as a profession so notoriously tough on staff: Is it passion for the craft that piles on the pressure? An old-school macho mentality? Or does it all stem from the competitive unit/crit-system in education? In turn architects are themselves part of a broader property investment and construction industry that can be combative and confrontational in its pursuit of control and profit such that it can often feel like a thoroughly unpleasant environment to work within. Abuse comes in many guises with bullying, intimidation, discrimination, harassment, humiliation, misconduct and defamation. It operates in areas from the financial, to the emotional and the psychological. With abuses of power, rank, process and statistics, is it not the overall system in which architects find themselves the most significant thing being abused? What needs to be done? Who is being marginalised in practice? Who is creating a work environment that's open to and safe for all? Who are the real bullies? Speakers: India Block, Dezeen (Chair) Fiona Scott, Gort Scott Architects Sarah Castle, IF-DO Tyen Masten, Phase 3 United Voices of the World's Section of Architectural Workers

Architecture has a difficult relationship with privilege. Everyone knows the profession is not diverse enough, which is not surprising given the fees and the length of time it takes to study. The general public see the image of the architect as aloof but when education was free we saw the rise of the working class architect. Norman Foster describes his childhood on the wrong side of the tracks in Manchester and now he is a global powerhouse. Could someone rise to prominence like this today or is the system rigged for Hooray Henrys and Sloane Rangers? Young practices are emerging which directly address the public good but some see this as another form of patronage to ease the guilt of a design-conscious elite. Should we challenge the status quo or accept that the master/servant culture which runs through British DNA is an inescapable fact of life? Speakers include: Helen Parton, Journalist (Chair) Ab Rogers, Ab Rogers Design Ziona Strelitz, ZZA Lee Ivett, Baxendale Tahera Rouf, RCKa

The architectural community is very upset about climate change. They have banded together and done a petition and everything. Problem is, all the big name practices that started it are using a hell of a lot of concrete and building beautiful airports and energy-guzzling skyscrapers. Also, some architects went along to Waterloo bridge and joined a protest party but what did it achieve? It’s high time we made a difference as an industry but actions speak louder than words and buildings can make more of a statement than statements alone. Speakers: Jan-Carlos Kucharek, RIBAJ (Chair) Julia Barfield, Marks Barfield Paul Finch, World Architecture Festival Maria Smith, Interrobang Tom Bennett, Studio Bark

We’ve had enough of the straight white male dominating the development industry. We need more diversity in leadership positions to invest in the places that will stand the test of time. Things are beginning to change but from boardroom to building site, investors to interns, the gender imbalance across the built environment is a problem for everyone. Are we satisfied that only 19% of board members of property industry companies are women? That only 1.3% of BAME groups work in the property industry? Or that 99% of all construction workers are male? Having more diverse decision makers will ensure that past mistakes aren’t repeated. From everyday sexism, glass ceilings, wolf whistles, “banter” and mansplaining, the industry has a lot to change. How can we ensure that women are applying for jobs in the built environment, staying in them and prospering in the profession? What changes can be made to better reflect the diversity that are the foundations of the city itself? Speakers: Christine Murray, The Developer (Chair) Danna Walker, Built By Us Chris Brown, Igloo Angharad Palmer, Pocket Living Emily Lawrence, Jestico + Whiles

In the information age knowledge is power and architects now seem unwillingly to part with their juicy titbits. Back stories, Chinese whispers and insider information were once regularly traded as part of an intricate network of professional gossip. The act of giving away secrets was generous but architects could often expect information in return but in recent times many practitioners see their peers as competition and architectural opinion seems sanitised as a result. Is this a failing of our times, where gossip can no longer be seen as a catalyst to new ideas, new debates, new worlds? If you’re not part of the in-crowd there’s a good chance you’re missing out on jobs and opportunities because of the fear of nasty rumours and misinformation leaving an indelible mark. So, should architecture bring back the outrage and the Machiavellian intrigue to rumble things up and make our designs and propositions more cutting, more interesting, more fun? The truth? You can’t handle the truth! Speakers: Nigel Coates (chair) Sir Peter Cook, CRAB Studio Sadie Morgan, dRMM Leanne Tritton, Ing Media Amanda Baillieu, Archiboo

Why does British Housing Look So Mean & Nasty? There is an unattractive truth about British housing: the vast majority of it is really ugly. The built environment industry is very good at heaping praise on innovative, game-changing projects with awards and extensive coverage in the media but in reality these schemes serve the smallest fraction of the population. On top of this, we are a nation obsessed with the outward appearance of our housing and ‘fitting in’ which drives planning conditions and results in mediocre responses to complex settings. And all this taking place during the one of the worst housing crises we’ve ever known! There’s a frontier land out there of dodgy cowboy builders and racketeer businessmen. Who will ride in and save the day? Developers with a conscience who also know how to turn and profit? Architects with some backbone to stand up to their cost-cutting clients? Local authorities that have the wherewithal to game the system? It’s time to saddle up and find out… Speakers: Claire Bennie, Municipal (Chair) Jonny Anstead, TOWN Paul Karakusevic, Karakusevic Carson Architects Annalie Riches, Mikhail Riches Cany Ash, Ash Sakula Architects