Stand & Deliver: The Roll Of Finance In Architecture

On the development highways, when money flows, everything is good. The rich get richer, the poor get poorer. It is an environment where money makes money and risks are calculated. It’s a numbers game.

Those with land ownership have the asset (the raw materials) and stand to offer those with financial backing and proven experience (the processing) to deliver development. Then its packaged up and sold in the marketplace for a profit thanks to professionals, agents and so on (the sales people). Everyone gets their cut. In this scene, ‘Architecture’ has become a side show to the act of building and an increasingly marginalised concern, because architects don’t tend to take on responsibility and risk in comparison with the high-stake players.

Finance in Architecture. Is it relevant? Is it of any value? Is it really worth talking about?

It is not just a question of how architecture embeds itself within the powerful spatial fix. Nor is it a question simply about the architects ethics, morality or address to the corrupting power of money. It is more a question of power itself. What if the architect was highwayman? Your money or your life?

Speakers:

Alpa Depani, London Borough of Waltham Forest (Chair)

Simon Allford, AHMM

Dr Julia King, LSE

Jack Self, REAL

David Ogunmuyiwa, ArchitectureDoingPlace