RURAL DESIGN FORUM Conference: Architecture and Agriculture // DEFRA Central Science Laboratory Conference Centre, York: 22 - 23 June 05
Patrick House, Rural Studio programme, Auburn University, Alabama, 2004
(Andrew Freear)
Architecture and Agriculture
Rural design and architecture after CAP reform: designing for post-agricultural rural landscapes and settlements.
Dates; Wednesday 22nd - Thursday 23rd June 2005.
Venue; DEFRA Central Science Laboratory Conference Centre, Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LZ
Download the program (RDC_Programme.pdf)
Download the booking form (RDF_BookingForm.pdf)
Download the Seminar program (RDF_EducationSeminar.pdf)
New uses farm barns; artists and architects are working with farmers to develop new creative, craft workshops and rural community uses for redundant farm buildings
Participants include:
Melvyn Askew, Director CSL/DEFRA York;
Will Alsop, Alsop Partners London,
Andrew Freear, Director Rural Studio, Newbern, West Alabama;
Professor Kathryn Findlay, School of Architecture, Dundee,
Vicky Richardson, Editor, Blueprint Magazine;
Professor Tom Woolley, Dean, Architecture Faculty, Queens University Belfast;
Dr Fiona Meadows, Ifa - Institute of French Architecture;
Peter Murray, Director, London Biennale of Architecture;
Tony Cooke, Interim Chair Rural Design Forum, and cereal farmer, Yorkshire;
Mike Keeble, The Livestock Community Forum;
Jonathan Hines, Architype/Countryside Agency - New Rural Vernacular, Gloucestershire;
and others to be announced.
Programme synopsis:
Day 1 - Wednesday 22nd June 2005
Sustainable Architecture and Agriculture- (proposals for a new rural architecture)
Keynote papers and case studies presented by invited UK and international architects, rural leaders, designers, and academics. Introduction to the Rural Design Forum, its aims and programmes; responding to the creative and intellectual challenges posed by Europe’s post agricultural landscapes and settlements; documenting the new environmental and built forms emerging in rural Britain; a new role for architects, artists and designers in the context of the strategic initiatives proposed by Government in response to agricultural change, the need for environmental sustainability, and the effects of climate change; generating aesthetic, pedagogical and theoretical coordinates for rural design and architecture to accommodate the effects of change on the EU’s post CAP rural environments and communities.
Preliminary drawings for a proposed National Dairy Cow Museum, educational, and community centre for the dairy farming community in Cheshire. Artist Radovan Kraguly
Day 2 - Thursday, 23rd June 2005
Rethinking the Rural - new rural contexts and challenges for urban designers, artists, and architects.
Architects, designers, planners and artists meet with rural and farming leaders to discuss possible future collaborations and creative strategies for rural regeneration and sustainable agriculture. Parallel seminar and workshop programme with practical workshops and field visits.
1. Livestock Communities: Landscapes and Economies
9 am - 4 pm
Anticipating post agricultural landscapes, and their impact on livestock farming culture, communities, and landscape heritage.
Field study trip by bus, to Thirsk, Masham, and Newby Hall, Ripon, taking in different agricultural landscapes, livestock farms, cattle auction marts, abattoirs, country houses, and the proposed site for the National Livestock Museum at Newby Hall, Ripon.
An introduction to the British livestock industry, its community and cultural traditions, buildings and vernacular landscapes, with an insight into the industry's contribution to the landscapes, rural heritage, and the economies of rural and urban England. Tracing the impact of post-CAP reform and related social and economic changes through the livestock sector. The livestock industry as a metaphor through which to understand the emergence of new rural landscapes, settlement forms, and economies in England.
2. Towards a New Rural Design Research and Pedagogy Programme
2 - 4.30 pm at CSL, Sand Hutton, York
Are current MA and MSc graduate level rural studies and design training responding adequately to the challenges posed by CAP reform and the new Rural Strategy (DEFRA 2004)? Proposals for a radically new pedagogy and research programme for design, art and architecture in rural contexts.
Presentations by Melvyn Askew,( Director DEFRA/CSL), Andrew Freear (Director of the pioneering Rural Design Studio research programme, Auburn University, Alabama), and Professor Tom Woolley (Dean of Architecture and Sustainable Rural Design, Queens University, Belfast). With contributions from the Craft Council, Design Council, Natural England, NFU, RASE, CABE, and the RIBA.
3. Rural Housing Issues and Sustainable Communities post-CAP
9.30 - 4.00 pm, Paddock House Farm, Sicklinghall, nr. Wetherby
Seminar focusing on the planning, design and construction of sustainable rural communities, affordable rural housing, and new settlements in the countryside. Revisiting farm barn conversions, e-cottage industries/rural business centres, and the artfarms phenomenon. Rural gentrification: rethinking rural mansions and the changing role of the country house post-CAP. The emergence of a new rural architectural vernacular and settlement patterns in the countryside.
The seminar will also address 'off/incomers' and second homes, travellers and caravan parks, provision of affordable rural social housing, and the current planning regulations and heritage issues involved.
Lucy’s house, Mason’s Bend, West Alabama 2002
(Rural Design Seminar)
The Rural Design Forum seeks to engage the urban architecture, media, and design community in a debate on the role of rural design and architecture in the context of EU strategies for agricultural reform, rural regeneration, and sustainable communities.
The Rural Design Forum is a community initiative. Supporters include the National Farmers Union, the Hill Farming Initiative, National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, the Womens Food and Farmers Union, the Rural Cultural Forum, the Livestock Community Forum, the Rural Health Forum, Royal Agricultural Society of England, Rural Media Company, and ACRE.
Two day rate (salaried professionals - includes lunch, workshops, coach trip) £150 (day rate £85 )
Concessionary rate (artists and students) £50 (day rate £35 )
For booking forms:
LITTORAL Trust
42, Lodge Mill Lane, Turn Village, Ramsbottom Lancs BL0 0RW
Tel/Fax: ++44 (0) 1706 827 961
E-mail: littoral@btopenworld.com
Website: www.littoral.org.uk
Conference promoted by LITTORAL Arts in partnership with the Rural Cultural Forum, Arts Council England, Countryside Agency, NEW FIELDS programme,Yorkshire, and BLUEPRINT magazine, in conjunction with Architecture Week 2005.
