SPCS Talks vol.6 Ecological Urban Design With Brian McGrath and Danai Thaitakoo

Amid worsening climate change and environmental crises, increasing attention is turning to the relationships between humans and the other organisms on our planet. Even in fields such as design and architecture, which have traditionally prioritized human-centered values such as economic viability, functionality, and comfort, there is a growing interest in understanding how human creations interact with other organisms and natural processes of the Earth to become part of the ecosystem.
In the midst of this, a movement has emerged where cities are studied as ecosystems from an ecological perspective and that knowledge is applied to architecture and urban design. Brian McGrath and Danai Thaitakoo, practitioners of architecture who have been at the forefront of this movement in Thailand and the United States, will be in Kyoto to share their experiences in the field and discuss the future of urban design.

The two, in particular, have proposed a new perspective on viewing cities as watersheds, focusing on the flow of water that connects ecosystems. In recent years, their former students have been integrating their views on hydrology, ecology, architecture, and urban design into the design of public spaces and parks in Bangkok. In addition to discussing their work, this event also aims to introduce emerging design trends in Thailand.

As abnormal weather patterns become more frequent in Japan there is a growing need not only to address natural disasters as they come but also to incorporate ecosystem-based urban planning and establish ways for people to reconnect with nature. Let’s explore these ideas together with McGrath and Thaitakoo.

McGrath and Thaitakoo will be introducing their latest research and previous case studies in this talk. One of the most notable projects that has been inspired by their work is the  Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park in Bangkok, a park that doubles as a water storage facility to prevent flooding. However, instead of such large developmental projects, McGrath and Thaitakoo argue that small-scale initiatives can also have a significant impact as ecologically based, nature-symbiotic urban design. At the event, the two will introduce their work on such smaller-scale initiatives.

‘From Gray to Green’, a plaza renewal project in Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University by Thaitakoo (photo shows the plaza before renewal; was covered with concrete).

Designing with Bangkok’s topography, environment and local wisdom to create a natural drainage system.

• Individuals involved in urban planning and landscape design.
• Designers, architects, developers and those involved in civil engineering projects who are interested in biophilic design.
• Administrative officials involved in area design planning and initiatives.
• Professionals from companies actively engaged in circular design and nature-positive approaches.

• This program will be conducted in English. (There are plans to provide either real-time interpretation or display automatic translation text, but please note that not all talks may be covered.)
• In the case of a high number of applications, there is a possibility of selection by raffle. 
• Photos of participants and program content may be posted on the loftwork.com/FabCafe Kyoto website at a later date.
• The program is subject to change without prior notice.

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