AOC / Geoff Shearcroft - Designs for a Deliberative Democracy
11 November 2019 | 6.30pm
Kensington, Lecture Theatre 1
Free
Since co-founding AOC in 2005, Geoff Shearcroft has worked on a diverse range of public buildings, spaces and experiences. The practice is committed to developing designs that support and nurture the public life required for contemporary democracy. At a moment when the UK’s representational democracy appears to be splintering into extremes, deliberation as a direct means of engagement has the potential to enhance civic conversation, develop new briefs and create better designs. With reference to recent projects including the Wellcome Reading Room, The National Archives and the community-run building, The Green, in this lecture Geoff will speak on design’s role in creating a more robust, participative democracy. Â
Geoff Shearcroft studied architecture at University of Nottingham and the RCA. He taught architecture at the Sir John Cass School of Art, Architecture and Design from 2005–16, has been a visiting professor at Yale and currently leads a Master's design studio at the University of Westminster. AOC has recently completed the redevelopment of the New Wing at Somerset House to create a contemporary arts centre and won the international competition to redesign the Museum of Childhood.