Allen has built an award-winning international reputation for designing sustainable accessible social architecture. Early work includes disaster relief reconstruction in Afghanistan, followed by research work for Melbourne University Antarctic Studies. Recent work has been affordable accommodation for homeless aged people; people with dementia and other disabilities. His work has received many international awards including UN World Habitat Award, UN Scroll of Honour -Human Settlements and from UIA Architecture for All.
Nadira Haripersadh is a Professional Architect and the CEO of Maya Architects (Pty) Ltd. Prior to starting Maya Architects, Nadira was the Managing Director of SemArcH (Pty) Ltd, an architectural practice specialising in mining and industrial design. Although this field was interesting and highly technical, her passion for design and architecture for all led her to pursue entrepreneurship through Maya Architects. She has accumulated a diverse portfolio of projects. Her focused work in the field of universal design and inclusion within the built environment has facilitated a myriad of opportunities to work with the Government, Academics, and the Private Sector. both locally and abroad.
Sarah joined the Department of Architecture since 2008. Her doctoral thesis analyses space use by women in kampungs, informed by feminist and gender analysis approach. The growing interest to environmental-behavior studies is reflected in her current research and teaching assignments, such as Architecture and Behavior, Culture and Architecture modules. She is now acting vice director for SDGs Center in Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) Surabaya.
Ben Channon is an architect, author, TEDx speaker and mental wellbeing advocate, and is well known in the industry as a thought leader in designing for happiness and wellbeing. He is a director at wellbeing design consultancy Ekkist, where he helps clients and design teams to create healthier places, and researches how buildings and urban design can impact how we feel.
Ben has written two books on designing for mental health and happiness: ‘Happy by Design’ (2018), and ‘The Happy Design Toolkit’ (2022). He now speaks on this subject to businesses and universities around the world.
Associate Professor at the Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction UCL, Director of MSc Healthcare Facilities. Medical architect (architect and medical planner) i.e., holding a PhD on psychiatric facilities. Active in research having won several prestigious grants and fellowships including Marie Curie Horizon 2020. Vice-President of the Urban Health Section, EUPHA. Member of the Board, National Accessibility Authority in Hellenic Republic by invitation from the Greek Prime Minister. Involved in consultancy and policy such as delivering short courses for The Authority for Reconstruction with Changes of the Government of Peru in collaboration with Arup Project, collaboration with the Greek Ministry of Health and the Centre of European Constitutional Law on legislation regarding mental health facilities and the European Innovation Partnership on Healthy and Active Aging of the EC and the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on infectious diseases on the aftermath of the Princess Diamond Covid outbreak. Awarded work and research in countries across Europe, Japan, the Middle East and New Zealand. Author of two books on psychiatric environments and several scientific and professional publications on healthcare environments. Accomplished speaker on multi-disciplinary and cross sector audiences, including a Ted-MED presentation and numerous TV and radio broadcastings. RIBA chartered member and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. RIBA architect founder and owner of the multi-awarded practice SynThesis Architects.