
Concrete Communities
Concrete Communities brings together a panel of design industry professionals for an evening of debate about how architecture impacts the way we feel.
Events
Upcoming Events
Vitsœ Headquarters + Production Building
Leamington Spa. CV31 3NT
Event 003 examines the purpose-built headquarters of Vitsœ. Like its Dieter Rams-designed furniture, the building was conceived as a universal modular system – a kit of parts. For Concrete Communities 003, a guided tour will take place, after which, all attendees are invited to stay for lunch.
Completed in 2017, the Warwickshire premises houses product-assembly, research & development, overnight accommodation, a kitchen and expansive dining space, in addition to work zones for the Vitsœ team. The health and well-being of the Vitsœ workforce is central to the building’s design. Orientated precisely north-south, its saw-tooth roof provides natural light and ventilation while generating electricity via photovoltaic panels. Artificial lighting is rarely needed during daylight hours.
The building’s structure, walls, roof, and wall-insulation are all made of wood. Vitsœ has used beech in its furniture since 1959, so it was entirely appropriate that the building’s structure is constructed of beech laminate-veneer lumber. The building was fabricated off-site. Finished components – up to 25m in length – were erected by two computer-controlled cranes. The entire structure was assembled in 23 working days.
Event 003 examines the purpose-built headquarters of Vitsœ. Like its Dieter Rams-designed furniture, the building was conceived as a universal modular system – a kit of parts. For Concrete Communities 003, a guided tour will take place, after which, all attendees are invited to stay for lunch.
Completed in 2017, the Warwickshire premises houses product-assembly, research & development, overnight accommodation, a kitchen and expansive dining space, in addition to work zones for the Vitsœ team. The health and well-being of the Vitsœ workforce is central to the building’s design. Orientated precisely north-south, its saw-tooth roof provides natural light and ventilation while generating electricity via photovoltaic panels. Artificial lighting is rarely needed during daylight hours.
The building’s structure, walls, roof, and wall-insulation are all made of wood. Vitsœ has used beech in its furniture since 1959, so it was entirely appropriate that the building’s structure is constructed of beech laminate-veneer lumber. The building was fabricated off-site. Finished components – up to 25m in length – were erected by two computer-controlled cranes. The entire structure was assembled in 23 working days.

Past Events
Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
20 Tottenham Street
London. W1T 4RG
Event 002 examines the Southbank Centre in London. Regarded as a landmark piece of post-war public architecture, this integrated complex of buildings includes the Hayward Gallery, the Purcell Room and the Queen Elizabeth Hall.
Masterminded as a neofuturistic accompaniment to the (now Grade I listed) Royal Festival Hall, it was a brutalist celebration of the future – a concrete commitment to people, art and culture. Commissioned by London County Council, it was completed in 1968, with architects Warren Chalk, Dennis Crompton and Ron Herron credited as having the greatest influence on its radical design.
Concrete Communities 002 invites experts from the design industry, in addition to Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (the award-winning architects’ responsible for the 2018 retrofit of the Southbank Centre) to talk about how the democratisation of good design could help promote happiness and improve our lives.
Event 002 examines the Southbank Centre in London. Regarded as a landmark piece of post-war public architecture, this integrated complex of buildings includes the Hayward Gallery, the Purcell Room and the Queen Elizabeth Hall.
Masterminded as a neofuturistic accompaniment to the (now Grade I listed) Royal Festival Hall, it was a brutalist celebration of the future – a concrete commitment to people, art and culture. Commissioned by London County Council, it was completed in 1968, with architects Warren Chalk, Dennis Crompton and Ron Herron credited as having the greatest influence on its radical design.
Concrete Communities 002 invites experts from the design industry, in addition to Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (the award-winning architects’ responsible for the 2018 retrofit of the Southbank Centre) to talk about how the democratisation of good design could help promote happiness and improve our lives.

Panel 002

David McKendrick
Art Director + Paperboy
John Grindrod
Author
Chris Allen
Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
John Booth
Artist + Ceramicist
Kathryn Pashley
Product Designer + Academic
Matt Kelly
Plæy Workshop
Leonie Branston
Designer + Founder of Ferian
Daniel Schofield
Industrial DesignerThe Workstation
15 Paternoster Row
Sheffield. S1 2BX
The launch event celebrates J.L. Womersley’s brutalist masterpiece, Park Hill, which has defined the Sheffield skyline since completion in 1961. Now Grade II* listed, the ‘streets in the sky’ are once again home to proud residents who report a growing sense of happiness at their decision to live in a refurbished concrete icon.
Concrete Communities 001 invites experts from the design industry – in addition to Mikhail Riches (the architect’s responsible for the award-winning retrofit of Park Hill Phase 2) to talk about how modernist communal living can positively benefit our mental health.
The launch event celebrates J.L. Womersley’s brutalist masterpiece, Park Hill, which has defined the Sheffield skyline since completion in 1961. Now Grade II* listed, the ‘streets in the sky’ are once again home to proud residents who report a growing sense of happiness at their decision to live in a refurbished concrete icon.
Concrete Communities 001 invites experts from the design industry – in addition to Mikhail Riches (the architect’s responsible for the award-winning retrofit of Park Hill Phase 2) to talk about how modernist communal living can positively benefit our mental health.

Panel 001

Leanne Cloudsdale
Host + Moderator
Annalie Riches
Mikhail Riches
Charlie Monaghan
The Modern House
Mark Latham
Urban Splash
Craig Oldham
Office of Craig
Eddy Rhead
The Modernist
Phineas Harper
Open House
Sadhana Jagannath
Environmental PsychologistDocumenting 001
As part of Event 001, members of the panel and design industry guests were invited to take part in a tour of the derelict flanks of Park Hill, Sheffield. Under normal circumstances, these blocks are inaccessible to the public, but after consultation with Urban Splash, Concrete Communities were given permission to view with suitable PPE. On 10 May 2023, the walkways and flats were explored, along with a former pub on the ground floor.














Event 001
Tickets for the first event sold out – an indication that there is clearly an appetite for open and honest conversation about good design. The evening was split into two sections: Panel 01 from 18:45 to 19:45, followed by a short interval. Panel 02 started at 20:00 and finished at 20:45. After this, both Concrete Communities panels were invited to answer questions from the audience. The concluding debate was lively. Event 002 is now in planning.




