Webinar – Thursday October 22, 11am-1pm

‘Progress and Preservation through Design’

For almost two centuries, the functions of the OPW have influenced many aspects of life in Ireland. Today, whether its pioneering landscape design that supports biodiversity, presenting Ireland’s World Trade Fair Expo 2021 or adding value to flood management schemes, the OPW’s work continues to impact the everyday lives of the public it serves.

In a series of short, wide-ranging, presentations from some of Ireland's leading design proponents, learn about the role of design across diverse disciplines and how it is driving innovation in public projects. Hear internationally recognised design guru, Lorna Ross, challenge us with her thought-provoking talk, ‘Crafting the Future; Lessons learnt from design-led innovation in complex systems’.

Join us as we journey from Clonakilty to Dubai to hear about the people and the projects designing our experience of the world around us.

Each presentation will conclude with a brief Q&A session.

To reserve a place, click the ‘save my spot’ button above.

Webinar
 11am-1pm
Featured presentations:
11:00 – 11:05
Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Patrick O’Donovan
 Introduction
11:05 – 12:00
Session 1

‘Innovation and Historical Interpretation’
 Frank Shalvey – OPW
 Interpreting the past relies on many disciplines, including; historians, archaeologists, archivists and storytellers. Increasingly, designers are also playing a significant role in bringing the OPW’s iconic National Monuments to life for a whole new audience. Interpretative practice now employs the greater use of sensory displays including imagery, illustration, colour and audio which are brought together to create an unforgettable visitor experience. Innovation, applied to historical interpretation at its best is being used at OPW visitor sites – but you might well ask, why?

‘Design for communities: Transforming engineering solutions’
 Giulia Vallone – Cork County Council
 Hear how Giulia Vallone’s public realm design work is transforming flood management engineering solutions and adding social and economic value in the process, creating joyful public spaces for visitors and citizen alike.

‘Expo 2021 Dubai: Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’
 Ger Harvey – OPW
 In 2021, the OPW on behalf of The Department of Foreign Affairs will showcase Irelands Pavilion for the Dubai Expo with the theme ‘Ireland. Island of Inspiration’. Hear how the OPW set out the design approach that informs the theme, pavilion design, exhibition and six-month long programme at Dubai.
 World Expo is a global event that connects nations. It’s a platform where countries all over the world can display their latest inventions and innovations. 1851 saw the first World Expo take place in the UK known as ‘the Great Exhibition’. Dublin held the Expo in 1907 and The OPW has designed and delivered many Irelands Worlds Expo Pavilion over the years. To date, 34 World Expos have taken place in various countries all over the world.
 Q&A Session
 Moderated by Edel Collins – OPW
12:00 – 12:50
Session 2

‘On Campus - Designing for Sustainability’
 Ciaran O’Connor – State Architect, OPW
 The Backweston campus in Co. Kildare is one of the largest construction projects ever undertaken by the OPW. State Architect Ciaran O’Connor will explain how a more sustainable future was achieved when creative minds combined environmental concerns, human needs and architecture to design a landscape that benefits biodiversity, ecotone, as well as humans! Hear how the design of this contemporary landscape created a model for further projects while also solving neighbourhood flooding, cleansed water discharges, avoiding landfill, reducing carbon footprint and creating an exceptional working environment.

‘Crafting Our Future; Lessons learnt from design-led innovation in complex systems’
 Keynote speaker: Lorna Ross Chief Innovation Officer VHI Health & Wellness Group
 At a time when the changes happening in our world appear to be beyond our control, design reminds us that we craft the world we choose to live in. Design is inherently optimistic and also experimental and deeply linked to our human transformation. Lorna will share insights from her career working in complex systems and how human-centred design offers a unique mechanism by which we might speculate on our possible future together and the importance of conscientious design.
 Q&A Session
 Moderated by Edel Collins – OPW
12:50-1pm
Director of Corporate Services of the Office of Public Works (OPW), Mick Long
 Closing remarks

OPW Innovation Week Webinar 'Progress and Preservation through Design'