Between November 2005 and May 2006, Northern Architecture presented a programme of public talks, seminars, discussions and exhibitions that invited the public to take a closer look at the places where we live and ask how we can create better housing and neighbourhoods for the North East. This site documents this event series, to be used for reference, research and posterity.

My Home: Our Place theme and the aim of the series

The provision of new affordable, well-designed housing; the issue of dealing with existing poor quality housing and neighbourhoods and the creation of new neighbourhoods and quality public space is one of the most important challenges for architects, designers and politicians in the UK. Currently, these are particularly important and challenging issues for the North East. This theme of housing and neighbourhoods became the underlying theme throughout the 2005-6 event series, enabling us to open up these valuable issues for public contemplation and discussion though high quality presentations and discussions.

Format of events

The keystone of each event was for one or more people to present exciting new design or architectural work, or make provocative comments about issues of importance to architecture and design in the North East.
These presentations ranged from bus tours, lectures, exhibitions, discussions and walking tours and took places in locations across the region.

Who our audience are

Historically our audience for these event series has been dominated by students and staff from the regional universities. My Home Our Place attracted a wider audience to include architecture, planning and design professionals from around the region as well as a section of the general public who have a general interest in these issues.

History of events series

Originally set up by John Dobson and the Northern Architectural Association in 1851 as an annual series of lectures held in Newcastle, the series was adopted by Northern Architecture five years ago. Northern Architecture has since adapted it into an event series that features in more parts of the region and captures a wider audience in line with Northern Architecture’s public engagement and advocacy mission of Promoting Better Places in the North East.

www.myhomeourplace.com

Each event, shown on the right hand column, is introduced in an overview, with details on all the contributors to the event and supporting links to these people or issues highlighted during the event. It is also accompanied by a review written by someone who attended the event. The views in these reviews do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Northern Architecture; they can be considered representative of members of our audience and the public of the North East.

Northern Architecture do not accept responsibility for the content of external websites.