Zaha Hadid -11th Stephen Lawrence Memorial Lecture

The eagerly awaited 11th Stephen Lawrence Memorial Lecture exceeded all expectations as RIBA Stirling Prize winner Zaha Hadid enthralled and enchanted a packed auditorium at RIBA last night with her lecture which was a mesmorising virtual wander through her buildings.  RIBA President, Angela Brady hosted the evening and chaired a lively and informative Q&A.  The Trust’s Managing Director Paul Anderson-Walsh noted in his opening remarks that Architects were leaders those who sign-posted the way ahead for the rest of us.  He told the audience that “we live in the world that architects have imagined” and asked us to imagine the remarkable narrative that is the story of Stephen Lawrence who had dreamt of being an architect.   Stephen’s mother Doreen Lawrence had always believed that her son would leave his mark on life but I’d assumed that it would be in helping to change the urban landscape, not the criminal justice landscape. It wasn’t to be, but this Trust, formed in his memory, has been able to help to provide access and opportunity to any number of ‘Stephens’ who it is hoped will leave their own mark.

The depth of the Trust’s relationship with RIBA is evidenced by the Stephen Lawrence Award now in its 14th year which is awarded as part of the Stirling Prize Awards.    But it was Zaha Hadid’s comment that “the agenda of Modernism is to let in the light” that is perhaps the most poignant thought for the Trust working as it does to promote access and opportunity for people from under-represented communities to enter into the field of architecture that Modernity will let in the colour as well as the light by embracing people from non-traditional backgrounds and inviting them into the profession and this mindful of Zaha’s caution in respect of her own buildings ” You have to gently introduce difference into the cityscape”  Thanks to the stewardship women like Zaha Hadid, Angela Brady and Doreen Lawrence, Angela’s words at the Stirling Awards was that “the greatest ambition of Architects was to create a better society”  will surely become a reality.

The Stephen Lawrence Trust announced the launch of it’s new “Professionally Prepared” programme BE2A programme which will:

PROVIDE A RANGE OF BLENDED LEARNING AND PRACTICE RESOURCES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE FROM NON TRADITIONAL BACKGROUNDS

CREATE A COMMUNITY OF CHANGE AND LEAD CHANGE WITHIN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

PROVIDE ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS A BROAD COMMUNITY OF STAKEHOLDERS

For more information about the programmes contact Eleanor Howard <Eleanor.Howard@stephenlawrence.org.uk>