#EdSciFest

On the evening of March 29th I joined University of Glasgow's Prof. Richard Mitchell, and director of architectural practice Biomorphis, Pierre Forissier, to discuss the potentialities of biologically and ecologically sensitive approaches to architecture and city planning. 

Hosted by the Edinburgh International Science Festival, as part of its On Built Environment series, which is supported by Scotland's Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design, and also part of the Festival of Architecture 2016 programme, the event comprised presentations by Mitchell, Forissier and myself, followed by a Q&A, and hands-on activity session.

Forissier discussed his practice's proposal to create a 'Leaf Walk' bio-bridge in Edinburgh, which met with much approval from the 70-strong public audience. Mitchell divulged compelling evidence of the value to human health and wellbeing of flora in the city, building a robust case for more biophilic spaces in Edinburgh and beyond. In my talk I called for an architecture that meets the needs of both the human and non-humans residents in the city, both critiquing the contemporary architectural and urban planning narrative and highlighting the immense potential for positive change. 

Guerilla gardener Darren Wilson, director of Kabloom, led the activity session, which saw audience and speakers alike making 'seedboms' (pictured above), which designed to be thrown onto unloved spaces in the city are described as "an explosive mix of peat free organic compost, coir, and a selection of flower seeds embedded in a recycled paper shell". 

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Find our more about the science and architectural festivals at the links below:

Edinburgh International Science Festival http://www.sciencefestival.co.uk/
Festival of Architecture 2016 https://www.foa2016.com/