NU Ideas | Season 4 Talk 1 | Growing a house & Specialisation is for insect

Monday 3rd November 2025 | 6pm

NU Ideas | Season 4 Talk 1

A series of talks in partnership with Northumbria University

How to grow a house

A talk by Martyn Dade-Robertson Professor of Emerging Technology, VC Fellow

Architecture and Built Environment

Biotechnology for the built environment – esp. Growing new building materials and Living Construction Materials

Imagine if we could construct a house the way a tree constructs itself. Using only the resources found beneath our feet and energy from the sun, we could create materials that self-assemble into structures of incredible complexity and beauty—while also absorbing CO2. We might even, perhaps, create living buildings made from materials capable of responding to their environment, continuing to grow, and self-repairing over time.

The talk will explore the advances in biotechnology that offer new opportunities for construction, and the new range of materials being developed to grow buildings. From fungus that could produce bricks grown on Mars, to soil that can strengthen in response to loads, and even bacteria that make concrete able to heal itself. While we can’t yet grow a building, these technologies offer a glimpse of a future where our buildings—and even our cities—may be more life-sustaining and sustained by life.

‘Specialisation is for insects’: the Architect and Academia

A talk by Shaun Young & Stephen Roberts

Current socio-economic conditions are placing increasing financial burdens on community based educational organisations wishing to initiate projects delivering positive, local social capital. Stymied by a lack of financial resource and consequently unable to fund professional design advice or services, new forms of voluntary professional relationships are emerging, ones questioning and challenging the traditional role of the Architect and its affiliate, Academia.

In the pursuit of relevance and maintaining meaningful relationships with their local communities, the academic institution is suitably resourced and strategically well placed to respond and assist ease such obstacles. Equally, the ‘generalist’ role of the Architect is one often motivated by moral purpose and clear social agendas - two forces for good, able to generate rewarding relationships and positive outcomes for besieged organisations.

The talk, partly quoting from science fiction author Robert Heinlein - an advocate for pluralism and a celebrant of the ‘generalist’ within human development – will discuss what happens when the two worlds of the ‘generalist’ Architect and ‘specialist’ Academia collide. As both the architectural profession and academy seeks redefinition, first hand reflection on several ‘live’ projects will offer insight on the inherent contradictions, demands and conflicting circumstances within such seemingly positive new models for community engagement.

A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | FREE

(If you would prefer to book directly over the phone, please call the Library Desk team on 0191 232 0192 and they will be happy to help)

Home in a tree | Image sourced copyright free from UnSplash

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