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
• Flow discussion
• 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.

• Dr Matthew Armitt
• Dr Don Subasinghe

International Keynote Speaker (TBC)

A leading international figure in modern architecture will be speaking on global design innovation and sustainable urban futures. They come with a wealth of experience ranging from large-scale urban planning to human-centred design.

They will be looking at how architecture responds to the world’s most urgent challenges. These will include issues such as climate resilience and cultural identity. They will also be offering global perspectives that inspire forward-thinking practice.

UK Keynote Speaker (TBC)

We will also be having a distinguished UK-based academic speak at the event. They will address the evolving role of architecture in shaping inclusive, sustainable communities.

Drawing on the latest research and practice in the UK, they will explore how design, policy, and social responsibility are connected. They will also discuss how UK architecture continues to lead in environmental and community-focused innovation.

• 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.

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.