Terroir: Ethical and Empathic Place for a Common Future

Everything begins somewhere - rooted in a place and has a story. Though it may transform along the way, its essence remains. 'Terroir' captures this local essence, embodying the uniqueness of a place and what emerges from it. Terroir is design, architecture, and the built environment. It's rooted in the historical, social, economic, and environmental context of a place.

It is our pleasure to welcome you to the GBIA/AAE (Grenfell-Baines School of Architecture and the Association of Architectural Educators) Architecture Conference 2026. In this year's conference, we will explore how Terroir informs architectural design that responds to local culture. We will be looking at the concept through the theme ‘Terroir: Ethical and Empathic Place for a Common Future’.

This theme reflects a desire and need for a paradigm shift. It calls for a move towards creating sustainable communities. It also focuses on building resilient systems that support them. These efforts are based on our shared values and a common goal for a more sustainable future. The theme represents the design, science, safety, and sustainability of craft and construction through creativity and innovation.

The event is open to practitioners, academics, researchers and students from across the UK and around the world. We welcome anyone who is passionate about and wants to discuss the future of architecture and the built environment.

Attendees will get the chance to explore new ideas, share research, and connect with a diverse community of fellow academics and professionals. They will get the chance to engage through a range of sessions including:

• Panel discussions
• Floor discussions
• Debates
• Workshops

Topics covered will include three proposed core research strands:

• Pedagogies of hyper-locality: How does our immediacy or a deep engagement with people and place inform how we teach?
• Practices of hyper-locality: In what ways do we as practitioners, researchers and institutions participate and impact upon our immediacies and locales?
• Productions of hyper-locality: What are the emerging technologies, methodologies and strategies that can be deployed to create more sustainable and circular architecture and built environments?

We thank you for joining us at this year's event and look forward to seeing you there.

There are various accommodation options to suit all budgets and preferences. To find out more, visit the Visit Preston website.

For hotels closest to the campus, you can check out the Preston International Hotel and Premier Inn Preston Central.

• Student fee: £90
• Early bird fee: £185
• Delegate fee: £245
• Conference dinner: £50 + VAT
• Conference field trips: A guided walking tour around Preston or a full-day trip to the Lake District.

We look forward to inspiring forward-thinking discussions and fresh insights through the that contributions that will take place during the event.

Conference contributions can include:

• 2500 papers (to be included in post-conference proceedings and a 20-minute presentation at the conference)
• Workshop proposals (up to 2 hours in length)
• Provocations and Debates
• Digital poster
• Panel discussions
• A temporary built structure reflecting the idea of PLACE as a launch space (1 day)
• A1 poster proposals

Abstracts will be double-blind peer reviewed by the AAE (Association of Architectural Educators) 2026 organising committee. All papers accepted for the conference will be included in full online proceedings published after the conference. Selected authors will be invited to submit proposals for papers in a special issue of Charette (opens in a new tab) the journal of the AAE.

Matthew Armitt

Dr Matthew Armitt is a Senior Lecturer in Architecture. His academic interests lie in the history and theory of architecture, with a particular specialisation in Soviet architectural pedagogy of the 1920s. His research engages critically with the intersections of design education, ideological frameworks, and visual culture in early Soviet Russia.

Prior to his current appointment, Dr. Armitt held academic posts at the Birmingham School of Architecture and Design (BSoAD) and the University of Liverpool School of Architecture (LSA). His doctoral research, undertaken at the University of Liverpool, investigated the pedagogical methodologies of VKhUTEMAS (Higher Artistic and Technical Studios, 1921–1926), with a specific focus on the 'Space' course (1923–1926).

He has been a visiting researcher at the University of Cambridge, the Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA); the Russian State Archive of Literature and Art (RGALI), Moscow; the A. V. Shchusev State Museum of Architecture (MUAR), Moscow; and the Moscow School of Architecture (MARKhI). Dr. Armitt has over a decade of experience in architectural education, teaching across undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels since 2014.

He has served as year leader, postgraduate module coordinator, dissertation and doctoral supervisor, and interim Course Director. He remains research-active and contributes to the long-term strategic development of the school’s research environment in preparation for REF 2029.

Don Subasinghe

Dr Chamile (Don) Subasinghe is a Fulbright Scholar and a director for the International Higher Education Teaching and Learning Association. He has over 20 years of experience in architecture, urban design, and post-disaster resilience. His work in the Indo-Pacific region uses design and human creativity to help communities grow stronger and more connected.

Don is also teaches on the degree apprenticeship programme at the GBIA in architectural technology. There, he supports ethical design and learning across different subjects.

Dr Subasinghe studied at several universities and earned his PhD in architecture. His research looks at how design can help people in vulnerable communities. In particular, through small-scale, local actions and global strategies. He also is the author and editor of three influential books on hidden knowledge and independent efforts in design and rebuilding.

Manisha Bhartia (hosted by Dr Don Subasinghe)

Academic background:

Manisha Bhartia is an accomplished urban designer and strategic leader. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture from TVB School of Habitat Studies. As well as a Master's in Urban Design with Distinction from the Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL.

Professional background:

Manisha currently serves as both Business Director and Head of India Studios at BDP India - a leading global design practice.

She is also the practice's Urbanism Director with more than 20 years’ experience shaping cities across the Asian and the UK. As well as Chair of the Urban Land Institute's Women's Leadership Initiative.

Based in New Delhi, she leads BDP's India operations with a 100% women-led studio. Through her role she champions inclusive leadership and sustainable urbanism.

Her portfolio spans large-scale master plans, regeneration projects, and public realm strategies. Each aspect of her work put liveability, resilience, and cultural identity at the forefront of her work. She also brings a visionary approach to urban transformation. Her innovative mindset blends design excellence with social and environmental impact.

Keynote Topic:

A frequent speaker at global forums, she is known for her insights on equitable city-making, gender-responsive design, and the future of urban India. Hosted by er keynote will explore how design can unlock cities' potential to be truly good for people, the planet, and prosperity. 

Jane Rendell (hosted by Dr Matthew Armitt)

Academic background:

Professor Jane Rendell is a well-known expert in architectural theory and interdisciplinary research. She both co-developed and teaches two master's programmes at the Bartlett School of Architecture in UCL. These are the MA Situated Practice and MA Architectural History.

Professional background:

Her work connects architecture with art, feminism, history, and psychoanalysis. In doing so, it helps people think differently about space, ethics, and identity.

She has also written five influential books and co-edited more than ten others. Her books include:

• Site-Writing: The Architecture of Art Criticism
• The Architecture of Psychoanalysis
• Art and Architecture: A Place Between

She also leads work on ethical research and helped create Practising Ethics, an award-winning learning platform. Her leadership in this field are exemplified by her role as Director of the Bartlett Ethics Commission and work in the industry. Her research has also earned awards like the RIBA President's Award for Research and the UCL Provost's Education Award.

Jane combines a creative and academic approach to encourage the exploring of new ideas in architecture and design.

Keynote Topic

Professor Rendell is a well known keynote speaker, having given talks at Yale, Harvard, ETH Zürich, and the University of Singapore. Her talks encourage thinking beyond orthodox ideas and a bigger focus on design that is ethical and socially responsible. Her work continues to inspire students, artists, and professionals across different fields.

• 17 November 2025 - Call for papers and workshop proposals launched
• 23 January 2026 - Deadline for abstract submissions for papers/workshop proposals
• 20 February 2026 - Notification of acceptance/registration opens
• 2 March - Early bird registration opens
• 13 March 2026 - Early Bird registration deadline
• 16 March 2026 - Delegate registration opens
• 6 June 2026 - Deadline for late registration
• 15 July 2026 - Conference social launch event – evening (Location TBC)
• 16-17 July 2026 - Conference paper/workshop strands
• 18th July 2026 - Conference field trips

As part of the conference's activities on Saturday, 18 July, delegates will be able to choose between two engaging field trips. Both serve to highlight the region’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.

The first option is a guided walking tour around Preston. Attendees will be able to explore the city’s rich industrial history, vibrant street art, historic architecture, and cultural landmarks, all within a relaxed and social atmosphere.

For those looking to venture beyond the city, the second option is a full-day trip to the stunning Lake District—one of the UK’s most iconic national parks. Known for its dramatic landscapes and tranquil lakes, the area has long inspired artists and writers such as William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter. This scenic getaway provides a refreshing escape into nature.

Both trips aim to enrich the conference experience by connecting attendees with the local environment. The also serve to help attendees connect with each other in a more informal setting.

Submit your abstract

Please follow the guidelines below when preparing and submitting your abstract:

• Language: Abstracts must be written in english.
• Word Limit: Maximum of 250–300 words, excluding title and author information.
• Title: Should be concise, clear, and reflect the content of the abstract (max. 20 words).
• Author Information: Include full names, institutional affiliations, and contact details for the corresponding author.
• Keywords: Include 3–5 keywords relevant to your abstract.
• Presentation Type (indicate your preference): oral, poster, or either.

Format: Structured abstracts are preferred and may include:

• Background / Objective
• Methods
• Results
• Conclusion / Significance

Submission Process:

• Abstracts must be submitted to MPArmitt@lancashire.ac.uk
• Only one abstract per presenting author may be submitted unless otherwise stated.
• Please also ensure that you complete and submit your abstract form.