Architecture lecture Summer Islam - Material Cultures (UK)
We are delighted to invite you to the Built Environment Inspiration Academy on Tuesday evening, 5 May 2026, at The Penta at Howest.
For this edition, we have secured Summer Islam. Summer Islam is an architect and co-director of Material Cultures, a British architecture and research practice that brings together design, materials research and strategic thinking.
Material Cultures explores the political ecology of building materials and how scaling up the use of regenerative materials can create an impact. To this end, Material Cultures develops low-carbon building systems based on bio-based, minimally processed materials. In this way, they are taking meaningful steps towards a regenerative built environment.
By approaching materials not only as products but also as grown or cultivated raw materials, they propose a radically more sustainable building model that goes beyond existing sustainability labels. In doing so, they reconnect architecture with agriculture and explore how their ideas can be applied on a large scale. In this way, they challenge the conventional processes and regulations of the construction sector.
This lecture is a must for anyone interested in architecture, design, agriculture and landscape, materials research, policy and a sustainable future.
The lecture will be in English; attendance is free.
Programme
- 6.45 pm: Reception
- 7.00 pm: Welcome by Wout Maddens, Chair of Leiedal
- 7.10 pm: Presentation of the Built Environment programme by Els Denaeghel, programme coordinator
- 7.20 pm: Lecture: Material Reform – Summer Islam
- 8.15 pm: Q&A
- 8.30 pm: Networking reception
The Penta Howest, Sint-Martens-Latemlaan 1B, 8500 Kortrijk
De Inspiratie Academie is een initiatief van de opleiding Built Environment van Howest en Leiedal. Deze Inspiratie Academie weerspiegelt de kracht van de samenwerking binnen Designregio Kortrijk, waarbij alle partners betrokken zijn: Howest, Kortrijk Xpo, Leiedal, Stad Kortrijk, Architect@work en Voka West-Vlaanderen. Je krijgt deze uitnodiging als stakeholder van Intercommunale Leiedal. Wil je dergelijke uitnodigingen liever niet meer? Schrijf je uit via de link onderaan dit bericht.
Lisa Declercq
Lisa is responsible for the offline and online visibility and communication of Designregio Kortrijk. She is always looking for the next big thing in young design talent and builds up the creative community of the organisation.
