TED Talks by Architects You Should Watch

Originally from London, architect Cameron Sinclair decided to launch Architecture for Humanity as a charitable endeavour, which changed the course of his career. The group's main goal was to employ architecture and design to address humanitarian crises.  Cameron discusses his work with the organisation and global projects in this TED talk. Among the topics discussed was the implementation of mobile health clinics with innovative designs in Sub-Saharan Africa to combat the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS.

Julian Treasure is advocating for architects to begin creating with their ears at a TED conference in Edinburgh. When designing a building, noise and acoustics are frequently neglected, which leads to problems when the building is occupied. Julian discusses the significance of listening in design, citing examples such as how kids in a classroom only hear half the words and how aeroplane sound systems work.

Due to the terrible six-year conflict, Syrian architect Marwa Al Sabouni had to see the disappearance of her own hometown. She describes the importance that architecture had in the nation's conflict over a prerecorded video. The architecture of the city blended neighbourhoods and provided harmonious side-by-side living for people of all social classes. Before the war started, the city was modernised over several decades, dividing it into distinct ghettos based on social strata. The conflicts that quickly escalated into war were sparked by this division between social and economic classes. 

Diebedo Francis Kere shares his narrative with the public in 2013. He was raised in a little village in Burkina Faso, one of the world's poorest nations. When he was a teenager and had the opportunity to study architecture in Berlin, Germany, it tickled him golden. He used his education to build schools in his hometown of Gando so that others may have access to education. He offered clay and the strength of community as a means of building without the need of western resources, showcasing three projects he has since worked on.

Theaster Gates' traditional career has little to do with the field of architecture because he is a trained potter. As he created pots and artwork, he was acutely aware of the problems outside his Chicago studio. He demonstrated to the public, with assistance from several businesses, that any house can be transformed into a stunning space with creativity and communal effort.

As the "father of the iPod," Tony Fadell achieved success and made a lasting impact on the technical community. He takes us through each product's development process in his discussion. recognising the issue that not everyone can see. The ability to design spaces that facilitate people's daily lives is another aspect that architects must take into account. Instead of responding, "That's just how it works," he advises seeing the world as a series of challenges and not underestimating the potential of a youthful mind.

American futurist Alex Steffen uses his platform to educate people about the issues that our society will face if we don't make changes to the way we live. He envisions a sustainable future, in contrast to the worst-case situation. The discussion centres on cities and how even tiny adjustments to lifestyle and infrastructure can have a positive global impact. Vancouver is an excellent example of a city developing; at the moment, the area is moving towards more density. 

Michael Murphy attended a lecture by a medical lecturer while he was an architectural student in order to escape from an all-night study session. He was shocked to hear the doctor discuss architecture and how it affects people's health. He has made it his aim to create architecture that heals after being inspired by the shortcomings of hospital buildings all across the world. Developments in several African nations demonstrate that a place can be created that facilitates the medication's effectiveness with the correct design.

Although the final mention on the list is the longest, it is still significant. Frank Gehry, one of the most significant architects of this century, steps up to the stage and takes a moment to reflect. discussing everything from his early origins to the buildings of today. Frank tells the tales behind the steel designs he is currently well-known for. He discusses his own residence on Venice Beach, which, because to its destructuralism-inspired design, has come to represent modern architecture. Gehry describes how he came upon fish, an unexpected source of inspiration. 

American architect Marc Kushner examined the last 30 years of global architectural trends at the TED conference, which marked its 30th anniversary. He thinks that the media age is bringing about a new architectural revolution that is about to happen. Better communication between architects and clients will enable the public to shape the buildings of the future. No more creations that nobody likes, thanks to direct input. Hopefully.

Even though we made every effort to select from the extensive pool of talks, some talks are undoubtedly absent from this list. Don't forget to visit the TED website if you need more inspiration. Which speech drew your interest and should be shared? Tell us about the people we missed!

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Text provided by Kimaya Tendulkar-

Kimaya Tendulkar is an architect who graduated from the L.S. Raheja School of Architecture in Mumbai and is interested in working as a researcher in the subject of urban development and planning. Her interests lie in contributing to social justice and making cities more habitable. Her research interests include public and urban policy, urban inequities, and mobility. She believes that tackling a problem from an empathetic lens will lead to an authentic solution. She enjoys observing and writing about cities and their complexities. Her graphic and visual interests, which include illustrating and photography, assist her in better articulating her observations.