Join the Royal Society of Ulster Architects for a morning of thought-provoking discussions exploring how we shape Belfast’s future through design, as part of the Summer Solstice from the Brink! Festival. We’ll reflect on the creative potential of meanwhile spaces, imagine how we can build for a net-positive future, and examine what it takes to deliver sustainable homes and movement across the city in line with the ambitions of A Bolder Vision.
10-11am
Meanwhile for quite a while – What can we do with empty sites where development is years away?
Speakers:
Alex Knowles is an architect at FaulknerBrowns and currently chairs the Royal Society of Ulster Architects’ (RSUA) Early Careers Architect Forum (ECAF). RSUA has hosted several ECAF design competitions focused on meanwhile use in Belfast, aiming to activate more open space across the city. In 2023, Alex won The Architectural Review’s Future Projects student prize.
Fearghal Murray is the Director of MMAS Architects. MMAS are recognised experts in meanwhile use and temporary architecture, having led numerous innovative and award-winning projects. These include the Queen’s Quay Kiosk near Belfast’s Titanic Quarter and DRIFT, a floating pavilion on the River Lagan commissioned by Belfast 2024.
11am-midday
Walk the talk – What is needed to turn plans for active travel in the city centre into a reality?
Speakers:
Karen McShane is a Civil Engineer and Transport Planner and past President of the Chartered Institute of Highways and Technology (CIHT). Karen specialises in all aspects of transport planning, traffic surveying and assessment, and traffic engineering. Over the course of her 34-year career, she has contributed to numerous high-profile projects and now serves as a Transport Advisor to the Northern Ireland Strategic Investment Board.
Olivia Laughlin is a Project Architect at Samuel Stevenson & Sons and currently chairs the Royal Society of Ulster Architects’ (RSUA) Women in Architecture Group. A certified Passive House Designer, she specialises in sustainable design. Olivia has experience across a range of sectors, including private residential projects (extensions, refurbishments, and new builds), social housing, healthcare, and education.
Midday-1pm
Home time – How do we deliver sustainable homes in Belfast city centre?
Speakers:
James Grieve is Director of James Grieve Architects and President-Elect of the Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA). James, previously of Consarc Design Group, is a Specialist Conservation Architect well known for restoring key buildings in Northern Ireland. In 2023, he was awarded RSUA’s ‘Project Architect of the Year’ for his work on Belfast’s Grand Opera House. James also lectures at Queen’s University.
Lisa Park is a Founder and Partner of Studio PARK Architects. A Certified Passive House Designer, she specialises in sustainable building design. With over 20 years of experience working on a wide range of projects both in Northern Ireland and internationally, Lisa was previously an Associate at PTW Architects in Sydney before returning to Belfast in 2018.
These are drop-in panels. Booking is not required.
General Info