At the end of 2019, we launched a new live talk series at The Modern House HQ that has so far seen three nights of discussion, storytelling and a shared drink or two. Here, for those of you who missed them, we recap the first few talks, and look ahead to our next evening with Ben Channon, architect and author of Happy by Design, an exploration into the relationship between buildings and happiness – tickets available here. We’ll be hosting events every month from now on, so make sure to subscribe to be the first to hear about them.

Our House
Architect Graham Bizley and The Modern House co-founder Albert Hill were in conversation on Thursday 5^th December to explore how Graham created two outstanding homes for him and his family.

Beginning the evening with a look at the pioneering Newington Green home Graham conceived in 2002, the two investigated the way a tight plot called for inventive design moves and thoughtful spatial planning, all while costs were kept as low as possible.

They then moved on to how Graham’s studio, Prewett Bizley Architects, applied their experience producing low energy retrofit projects to come up with a new home for Graham and his family, a Passivhaus home in Somerset with an intimate connection to its landscape.

Making a Home: adventures in self-building
On Wednesday 11^th December we hosted some familiar faces to hear them recall the highs and lows of the self-build journey, from the notoriously difficult task of finding a suitable site, to dealing with contractors and keeping build costs down.

Sophie Liddicoat told us how she imbued warmth and texture through reclaimed and hand-crafted materials at The Makers House; Rupert Scott ran through an in-detail timeline of getting a build off the ground; Russel Hayden eulogised on the benefits of living in Passivhaus home and Chris Sanderson and Martin Raymond explained how they looked to Gio Ponti and Fire Island’s modernist legacy to create a fun holiday home in Shingle Street.

Houses for a Better Life
To kick of 2020, we invited Meredith Bowles, Director of Mole Architects, to give a thought-provoking talk on how 150 years of residential design have informed his designs for energy efficient, joyful homes that focus on wellbeing. 

Beginning with his own story of growing up in Cambridgeshire, Meredith surveyed the history of the home in this country, from the Arts and Crafts movement to the influence of West Coast modernism on projects such as Span Housing, as well as the baffling contemporary demand for period pastiche on mass-housing estates. 

The Happy Home
We all know that where we live is important, but do we really understand how and why our homes affect how we feel? Can good design truly make us happier? Join Ben Channon on Thursday 20^th February to hear how buildings around us can make us happier, and how we can all make small changes to the places we live to improve how we feel.

Ben Channon is an architect, author, TEDx speaker and mental wellbeing advocate. He is an Associate at Assael Architecture, where he works as an architect and their head of research into design for wellbeing.

He developed an interest in design for mental health, wellbeing and happiness after suffering with anxiety problems in his mid-twenties. This led him to research the relationship between buildings and happiness, which formed the basis of his first book, Happy by Design.

Ben recently qualified as a WELL Accredited Professional, broadening his knowledge to encompass design for physical wellbeing. He now works with developers and consultants to improve how buildings support mental and physical health.

In 2017 Ben co-founded the Architects’ Mental Wellbeing Forum, which is focused on improving mental health within the industry. He is also an accredited mindfulness practitioner with the Mindfulness Association, and is interested in how buildings can help us to be more mindful, and present every day.