Open call for contributors to the Urban Room
RIBA membership and other NDSA followers are invited to submit expressions of interest in participation of, or contribution towards the the Urban Room project. The Urban Room Steering Group (URSG) are preparing a bid to the City Council to re-start the Urban Room initiative following the closure of 38 Carrington Street.
What is an Urban Room?
“Every town and city should have a physical space where people can go to understand, debate and get involved in the past, present and future of where they live, work and play. The purpose of these urban rooms is to foster meaningful connections between people and place, using creative methods of engagement to encourage active participation in the future of our buildings, streets and neighbourhoods. ”
Comprised of representatives from RIBA, Historic England, Urban Design Group, Nottingham Trent University, University of Nottingham and Nottingham City Council, the Urban Room Steering Group is Chaired by Dr. Laura Alvarez. Laura has been working closely with NDSA Secretary Paul MacMahon to put together a proposal for a new space in the centre of Nottingham.
Prior to the Covid19 pandemic the Urban Room became a physical home for the NDSA, frequently used throughout 2019 to hold seminars, lectures, CPDs, an awards evening and Branch Committee meetings. The space was also used by the groups broad range of stakeholders to deliver workshops, book launches and more.
Architectural photography exhibition organised by then NDSA Chair Joshua von Fragstein and featuring Martine Hamilton Knight, Daniel Hopkinson, Christopher Terry and Lamar Francois
A new opportunity for a future home has emerged and we want to invite you to participate with suggestions about how you think the Urban Room could be used, what it could become or how you could offer support towards its development and programme.
We are interested in finding ways in which we can make the Urban Room a more inclusive and diverse place for participating in the sharing of ideas and growth of social and economic prosperity in Nottingham. We have the unique opportunity to sit alongside key institutions to participate in community engagement, dissemination of ideas, creative thinking, professional networking, shared learning and more.
Dr. Laura Alvarez gives a brief description of the Urban Room
We are inviting you to come forward with suggestions for workshops, exhibitions, lectures or other events you could take a lead in delivering in conjunction with the NDSA for delivery within the Urban Room.
Other types of support towards the bid are also welcome and can vary widely. This might include promotion of future events through networks, sharing of digital content or announcements, research proposals, connecting us with other key organisations and communities in Nottingham, sponsorship or finance sourcing, digital dissemination and outreach delivery, or taking up an alternative role.
The UR can function to strengthen and enrich the Architecture profession and it's relationship with other Built Environment professionals & stakeholders.
More information on the Urban Room can be found here:
Current Urban Room website:
www.38carringtonstreet.org.uk
The Farrell Review:
http://www.farrellreview.co.uk/