RCUK Flood Expo 2015 – Baca Seminars

The Flood Expo returns to the Excel Centre in London on the 14^th & 15^th of October 2015. The largest event of its kind in the world, the show presents solutions to widespread flooding problems from the world’s leading flood prevention companies, alongside an extensive seminar and workshop schedule highlighting new, cost-effective ways to prevent and manage floods.

Baca will be presenting seminars in the Marshall’s Theatre on both days. Wednesday the 14^th will see Richard Coutts examining how to create a hierarchical risk management plan; looking at how new technology can be used to protect and maintain this infrastructure in the event of a flood (or other natural disaster) to provide protection to a city and also to enable continued occupation of cities that could otherwise be untenable.

On Thursday the 15^th, Robert Barker will explore the technical details behind amphibious and floating construction for both residential and commercial properties. The seminar will also consider the issues of mortgages and finance, demonstrate how to overcome planning issues, and look at some of the urban design benefits of utilising waterspaces.

If you would like to book free tickets to this event, please follow this link to register.

Baca Seminars:

Amphibious Housing UK – Thursday 15th October 2015, 14:00-14:30, Marshall’s Theatre

 Adaptive City Planning – Wednesday 14^th October 2015, 11.45-12.15, Marshall’s Theatre

Thames Estuary Partnership Talk

In a series of summer seminars at University College London (UCL), London’s vital artery, the River Thames, is celebrated and explored.  Sponsored by Fuller’s,  In Touch with the Thames is organised by The Thames Estuary Partnership (TEP) and open to anyone who would like to learn more about the tidal Thames, its estuary, flood-plains, tributaries, communities, and commerce.  Viewing the Thames as a system as much as a location, the lectures are intended to stimulate conversation and the sharing of new approaches to understanding, managing or enjoying the river’s urban and rural hinterland and similar riparian and maritime landscapes in the south-east.

Tuesday the 19^th of May saw Richard Coutts of Baca presenting research along with Thames-side projects that utilise the practice’s expertise in water-related design.  Plans for the Creekside Educational Trust’s Visitors Centre in the Thames Estuary were discussed along with the proposed Thames Tideway Tunnel and an update on the award-winning LifE (Long-term Initiatives for flood Risk Environments) Project.  Building on the success of the UK’s first Amphibious House, Richard expanded on the Baca design and presented some of the practice’s forthcoming projects including next-generation Amphibious Houses, an Elevated House & designs for further Flood Resilient Homes.

We would also like to say a big thank you to London brewer, Fuller’s, for supplying delicious complimentary craft beers at the event.

Baca’s forthcoming book Aquatecture from RIBA Publishing can be purchased by clicking on this LINK.

Some of the practice’s water-related designs are presented in Built on Water from Braun Publishing, available for purchase via the following LINK.

Water, Water Everywhere – Landscape Institute Event 25/04/15

This weekend, the Landscape Insitute’s AGM in Norwich will be accompanied by a series of inspiring talks exploring the pivotal role that water has in its purer landscape form:  rivers.  A group of expert speakers will be sharing their experiences in dealing with rivers in various design fields and disciplines at The River Is Everywhere event.

Robert Barker of Baca will be discussing the practice’s designs for The Deal Ground in East Norwich, recently granted planning permission.  The Baca-led consortium of designers had to consider the site’s numerous constraints, not least the issues of flood-risk, ecology and access.  He will joined by Jenny Mant of The River Restoration Centre, Eoghan Sheils of SheilsFlynn and Richard Haine of Frog Environmental.

Following the seminar, Eoghan Sheils will guide a walk along the River Wensum.  If you would like to attend the event, please follow the link HERE to book tickets.