Perhaps now more than ever before, we are all aware of the built environment that surrounds us, and of the impacts it has on the health of individuals, communities, and the planet. The Architecture of Place series brings together the established and emerging voices working to create a better built future.
From December 2024 through February 2025, the ICAA, INTBAU, and The King's Foundation will co-host The Architecture of Place: In Conversation with..., a series of interviews featuring three architects and scholars from different backgrounds and points of view: John Smylie, Tiffany Abernathy, and Dr. Patricia Canelas. Over the three-part series, each speaker will have the chance to play the role of both interviewer and interviewee. In each installment, one of the three architects will be interviewed by one of the others about the influences, experiences, and projects that have led to their design perspective on the architecture of place. At the end of each session, students from partnering university departments will pose additional questions to the speakers, followed by an open Q&A with attendees.
The programs are free and open for public registration, and recorded versions of the programs will be made available to all.
In this iteration of the series, Dr. Patricia Canelas will interview John Smylie about his professional work and design background.
John Smylie is Director of Place Lab, a design practice focused on place-making. The science of place-making involves adopting a contextual approach to architecture and urban design, strengthening local character and delivering spaces that are attractive to people and are vibrant and sustainable.
Over the years John’s projects have achieved a number of design awards. More recently, his work received an international Charter Award (Congress for the New Urbanism), RTPI Award for Best Regeneration Project in the UK and RICS Award for Best Regeneration Project in Northern Ireland.
John is also the Chapter Chair of INTBAU Ireland, an all-island chapter of the network.
John has previously served as Northern Ireland Advisor to the Prince’s Foundation for Building Community, now The King’s Foundation, an international organisation that teaches and demonstrates sustainable development, placing community engagement at the heart of its work.