Architects may not begin with tabula rasa – ‘people-first’ cities and buildings necessarily incorporate remnants of the past. Edinburgh’s Futures Institute is case in point: the former Royal Infirmary holding memories of isolation is transformed from a private place to a public space siting EIBF. An expert panel threw out diverse and thought-provoking topics in architecture: accessibility, mapping, feminism, multi-generational compounds, embedded power, also shouting out to projects they’re involved with including a mentoring programme, Voices of Experience. So much. The enthusiasm and professional reputation of each was tangible, but it was ambitious to discuss all this in just one hour and not clear whom the event targeted – perhaps a narrower focus or less panel members would have allowed more depth.

Edinburgh Futures Institute, 13 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Catherine Meek]