Amanda Levete is an award-winning architect from London. She was a partner in Future Systems for 20 years and in 2009 founded the architecture studio AL_A with directors Ho-Yin Ng, Alice Dietsch and Max Arrocet. On their website they write: “Our designs are conceived not just as buildings, but as urban propositions. Spaces that promote reciprocity between nature and neighbourhood; projects that express the identity of an institution, reflect the ambitions of a place, and hold the dreams of a community.”
At Building Green Copenhagen 1-2 November, you can hear a presentation by Amanda Levete about living better with each other and nature. Amanda will talk to a number of recent projects with a focus on using architecture to bring people together, to make cultural buildings relevant to everyone and to bring nature closer to our cities.
In this article, you can read an interview with Amanda Levete.
What are the challenges and opportunities in the construction industry right now?
We build because we believe in a better future, but we must recognise the relationship between accelerating climate change and the energy embodied in construction. That means finding ways to reconcile the tensions between nature and cities, asking the difficult questions and accepting that sometimes the best solution is not to build.
This year’s theme is ‘Regenerative design and architecture’ – what can we do to move towards it?
Of course, it is imperative we design buildings to use as little energy as possible, but sustainability goes beyond energy issues. It includes questioning the role our buildings play in a society where inequality is striking, politics are polarised and environmental breakdown is a fact. By seeing every project as an urban proposition, not just an architectural one, by looking beyond the boundaries of the site, we can engage better with the public and create places that belong to a community. Transformative and sustainable architecture has the potential to promote equity – equity between different people and equity between man and nature. For our cities to thrive it is important to understand sustainability in its broadest context.
What are you planning to talk about at Building Green Copenhagen?
I am going to talk about some AL_A projects with a focus on how we can live better with nature and better with each other and about the power of public space.
Do you want to hear more from Amanda Levete?
Join Building Green Copenhagen 1-2 November and be inspired by Amanda Levete’s talk. Read more and sign up for free here.