The RA is where architecture intersects with the visual arts – a connection we explore through talks, performances, exhibitions and debates.

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Architecture: The Future of Housing

Although housing is most people’s largest monthly outgoing, our relationship to where we live is much more than financial: it shapes our identity, our sense of belonging, our mental and even physical wellbeing. But to what extent is this relationship reflected in the new houses being built in Britain today? What impact do aesthetics, materials and quality of space have on how we relate to our homes? Our panel discusses a variety of propositions – some new, others well-established – for designing homes that we instinctively feel a connection to.

Future of Housing: The psychology of home

As prices soar and cities become ever more prone to densification, the major political parties all agree on the need to build more homes, but where? Garden cities? Loosen the green belt? How can we plan for new housing in a way that’s able to withstand vested interests whilst remaining democratically accountable? This is an issue concerning the whole nation, with “passions involved” on both a local and personal level. With a panel including a surveyor, an academic, an urban design expert and the head of a charity, this talk tackles the issue of where to build new housing.

Photo: Terrace houses © A.P.S. (UK) / Alamy

The Future Of Housing: City, County, Suburb?

There is no single recipe for good housing – and the very definition of "good" is hotly debated. But the upsides of good housing, however we define it, are indisputable. In this event, a range of speakers examine the characteristics of places where people enjoy living and communities thrive, and discuss whether these can be applied in the future.

Photo: Byker Wall, Newcastle upon Tyne © Islandstock / Alamy

The Future of Housing: The Upsides of Good Housing

Britain is in the grip of a housing crisis, which despite being recognised by politicians from all sides shows no sign of abating. In this event, a panel of speakers explores the costs of the current housing crisis, assessing their nature and implications – whether social, economic, psychological or environmental.

Photo: Elephant and Castle, London © Guy Corbishley / Alamy

The Future Of Housing: Counting the Costs of the Housing Crisis

As a subject of political debate, the future of housing refuses to be sidelined. Due to spiralling prices, a significant amount of our young population look forward to a lifetime of renting, while the wealthy buy property for financial investment, rather than actual living. Leaving theory behind, this talk is firmly on the side of reality and touches on recent events involving activist demonstrations, occupations and police evictions. How might our country find new models of ownership that better reflect the changing realities of how people live today? Our panel, which includes two journalists, a policy expert, an artist and a professor, introduces this polarising topic.

Photo: Houses for sale © John Sturrock / Alamy

The Future of Housing: New Realities of Ownership

Dutch practice MVRDV – of which Maas is the “M” – has an international reputation for its consistently innovative and visually striking architecture. In this talk, founder Winy Maas discusses the practice’s work, focusing on their numerous housing projects, which include the recently completed Markthal in Rotterdam. He also teaches at a number of universities across the world and is director of the Why Factory, a research institute for the future city which he founded in 2008.

Maas challenges us to “escape from some of the hermeticism” that our national housing crisis is facing. His attack comes on three fronts: from architecture, to urbanism, to research. A lively and witty speaker, Maas shares entertaining personal stories as he tackles the very serious problem of the future of housing.

Photo: Winy Maas © Boudewijn Bollmann

The Future of Housing: Winy Maas addresses the key isses

World renowned designer Sir Paul Smith discusses his humble beginnings, what inspires him, and the lessons he's learnt throughout his career.

Paul Smith: finding inspiration in the everyday and the extraordinary

Mali Morris discusses her latest exhibition and display at the RA, as well as her career and practice, with author and poet Martha Kapos.

Acclaimed artist Mali Morris RA focuses on the expressive possibilities of abstract painting. Her work draws on many sources but constantly explores how colour can structure light and space.

Mali Morris in conversation with Martha Kapos

Catch up with this panel discussion featuring political satirist Steve Bell, artist Bedwyr Williams and artist duo John Wood and Paul Harrison as they explore humour and satire in art, discussing how it's impacted today’s contemporary art world.

Making a mockery: exploring humour and satire in art

As part of our 'When Science Meers Art' series Mathematician Professor Marcus du Sautoy OBE FRS, artist Conrad Shawcross RA and BBC presenter Samira Ahmed discuss how experimentation, curiosity and creative thinking are central to both science and sculpture. Download slides from this lecture: https://roy.ac/gh4d4

Marcus Du Sautoy & Conrad Shawcross RA in conversation

Artist and singer/songwriter Michael Stipe talks about his life-long passion for photography and its potential to produce a defining image of our times.

Michael Stipe In Conversation

Our panel, chaired by art critic, writer & curator, Sacha Craddock, and including Alistair Hudson, Director of the Whitworth and Mariam Zulfiqar, Deputy Director and Chief Curator at UP Projects, questions where sculpture is best exhibited and what impact sculptures have on the spaces they are presented in. Do sculptures act as catalysts for social change and can people connect better with a place when it contains a work of art?

Part of 'Where language ends: Antony Gormley’s discourse series'.

What is sculpture good for?

Antony Gormley discusses his career spanning over 40 years and explores how his series of installations within the RA’s Main Galleries encouraged visitors to slow down and become aware of their own bodies and environment.

Part of 'Where language ends: Antony Gormley’s discourse series'.

Anthony Gormley in conversation with Director of the Whitechapel Gallery, Iwona Blazwick

Theoretical astrophysicist, Priya Natarajan, joins Semiconductor, the artist duo Ruth Jarman and Joe Gerhardt, to discuss how artists contribute to our understanding of the world around and the relationship between physics, cosmology and art.

Part of 'Where language ends: Antony Gormley’s discourse series'.

Understanding space through art

Anthropologist and director of the documentary 'Inside Australia', Hugh Brody discusses how geology, anthropology and humankind’s connection with the land are represented in Gormley’s work.

Hugh Brody on his documentary 'Inside Australia' and the work of Antony Gormley

Recorded during our exhibition Lucien Freud: The Self-portraits, Tracey Emin CBE RA and David Dawson(Lucien Freud's assistant and model) discuss their memories of the artist, as well as Emin and Freud’s shared ability to innovate, provoke and soul-search.

Tracy Emin and David Dawson In Conversation

Subscribe for art and ideas. We host conversations with artists, architects and other leading creatives – and we've just posted podcasts from recent Festival of Ideas. Enjoy.

Future of Housing: The psychology of home

Royal Academy of Arts

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