Heather Viles (Professor of Bio-geomorphology & Built Heritage Conservation, Oxford University)
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Bio:
Heather Viles is Professor of Biogeomorphology and Heritage Conservation in the School of Geography and the Environment at the University of Oxford, and Visiting Professor at the Institute of Sustainable Heritage, University College London. Her research focuses on improving the understanding of links between life, the physical landscape and the built environment. She leads OxRBL (Oxford Resilient Buildings and Landscapes lab) – a small, but vibrant and highly interdisciplinary group of researchers and doctoral students. She has a long track record of working closely with heritage organisations, such as English Heritage, Historic England, the Dunhuang Academy and the Getty Conservation Institute.
Abstract:
Biogeomorphology addresses the two-way relationships between life and the physical landscape and has many applications to the conservation and management of historic buildings as well as contemporary architecture. This talk explores how foundational concepts from biogeomorphology can be used to develop a novel conceptual framework which might aid architectural theory and practice. Case studies from around the world are used to illustrate the challenges and necessity of making better linkages between life and buildings in the context of the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis.