Dr Paolo Zaide gives keynote speech on Architectural Education at United Architects of the Philippines convention

His talk explored how schools of Architecture in the Philippines could step up to the extreme immediate and long-term challenges of the region and the impact of future trends on the design of the 21st Century City. Through examples from his own teaching and curating practice he spoke about communities, circularity and craft and the importance of architects’ cultural and ecological imagination.

The 48th United Architects of the Philippines National Convention brought together around 200 architects and academics who were affiliated with Philippine universities offering undergraduate and graduate programmes in Architecture. The three-day assembly hosted an Architecture Education Exhibition, plenary talks and small group discussions on topics that define content of architectural practice from the viewpoint of education.

Dr Zaide said: "It was an honour to exchange ideas with architects and academics from across the Philippines. With challenges of hyper-density and climate change very much at the forefront in South-East Asia, it is interesting what the British education systems can learn from other contexts. Some of the most creative ideas emerge out of challenging environments, and it is exciting to be involved in this conversation."

Dr Zaide has been responsible for co-curating public events and exhibitions in London and Hong Kong around the themes of ecologies in the city, including City Garden Follies in Camden Council between 2010-2013, and Visions 2050 at the Hong Kong Architecture and Urbanism Biennale in 2015 which examined speculative ideas for the Pearl River Delta through the critical lens of the region’s emerging architects and designers.

Learn more about Architecture, Interiors and Urban Design courses at the University of Westminster.