RIBA Buckinghamshire: Design Exchange: Materials, Minds & Spaces

Join RIBA Buckinghamshire at MK Gallery for a relaxed and inspiring morning of talks, ideas and conversation, taking place from 9:00am–12:00pm in the Event Space.

Start the morning with tea, coffee and pastries, meet fellow architects and built-environment professionals from across Buckinghamshire and the wider region, and hear two engaging perspectives on how we design better spaces.

The programme will explore the growing use of cork as a natural and sustainable building material, alongside an introduction to neuroarchitecture and how the spaces we create can influence the way people feel, behave and interact.

With plenty of time built in for refreshments and informal networking, it’s a great opportunity to pick up new ideas, make connections and start the day with fresh design thinking.

Antero Duarte

An introduction to cork as a natural building material and its growing use across contemporary architecture, retrofit and refurbishment.

Through project examples and material samples, Antero will explore how cork can form part of a building, its key characteristics and some of the considerations around material choice, building fabric and construction.

Veronique Castel-Branco,

Space affects us far more than we might realise.

Veronique will introduce the principles of neuroarchitecture and explore how design decisions can influence the way people feel, behave and interact with their surroundings.

Using examples of plans, layouts and spatial arrangements, the session will consider the science and thinking behind neuroarchitecture alongside practical ideas that can be applied to future projects.

Together, the two sessions encourage us to look beyond appearance alone – from the materials that form our buildings to the experiences of the people who use them.

MK Gallery is an award-winning contemporary art gallery in central Milton Keynes, designed by 6a Architects.

The building received a RIBA South Award 2021, RIBA South Project Architect of the Year 2021 and a RIBA National Award 2021.

MK Gallery provides step-free access to its main public spaces, including the Event Space, with accessible and gender-neutral toilets, a Changing Places toilet, hearing loop facilities and assistance dogs welcome.

For access enquiries, contact [email protected] or call 01908 676900.

MK Gallery is located on Margaret Powell Square, beside Milton Keynes Theatre in Central Milton Keynes.

By train: Milton Keynes Central is around 30 minutes from London Euston and approximately a 25-minute walk from the gallery.

By bus: Regular local services connect Milton Keynes Central Station with the Theatre District.

By car: From the M1, leave at Junction 14 and follow signs for Central Milton Keynes. From the A5, leave at the A509 Portway junction.

Parking is available throughout Central Milton Keynes. Four free disabled parking spaces are available directly outside MK Gallery and can be reserved through the venue.

Please tell us about any dietary requirements or allergies when booking so these can be shared with the venue in advance.

By booking a ticket, you agree to the following:

• Cancellations must be made at least 30 days before the event to be eligible for a refund of the ticket price.
• Tickets are non-transferable and may only be used by the person named on the booking.
• If you can no longer attend, please arrange for your ticket to be cancelled as soon as possible. This helps us release your place and allows another member to attend.
• RIBA Buckinghamshire reserves the right to make reasonable changes to the programme, speakers, timings or venue where necessary.
• If the event is cancelled by RIBA, attendees will be notified and any applicable ticket fees will be refunded.
• RIBA cannot accept responsibility for travel, accommodation or other costs incurred as a result of cancellation or changes to the event.
• Please provide any accessibility or dietary requirements when booking.
• Photography and filming may take place during the event for RIBA communications and promotional purposes.
• Personal information provided when booking will be handled in accordance with RIBA’s privacy policy.

Event venue & nearby stays

MK Gallery, 900 Midsummer Boulevard, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom

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