Organised by the Design Museum
A double-header of conversations between our Design Researchers in Residence and a guest. Writer and curator Ekow Eshun speaks with Thomas Aquilina, followed by Apparata Architects in conversation with Delfina Fantini van Ditmar.
What to expect
Programmed to celebrate the Design Researchers in Residence: Restore exhibition, this event features two conversations on architecture and the city in the age of environmental crises.
First, we hear from acclaimed writer and curator Ekow Eshun and Thomas Aquilina, a Design Researcher in Residence at the museum. Building on Ekow's mentorship of Thomas during his residency, the discussion will centre on themes of environmental justice, diasporic identities and the urban landscape of London that have been percolating in both their work over recent years. In addition, the pair will discuss 'In the Black Fantastic', a new exhibition at the Hayward Gallery curated by Ekow.
Next, Nicholas Lobo Brennan and Astrid Smitham of Apparata Architects will join Researcher in Residence Delfina Fantini van Ditmar to discuss ways of designing buildings using fewer materials and the limits of the net zero agenda. The conversation will draw on Apparata's celebrated House for Artists project in Barking, East London, and Delfina's research into domestic heating and materiality in a speculative future.