Alastair is an architect specialising in learning environments. He is Emeritus Fellow of the University of Westminster.

His main research focus is learning environments, working with policy makers, clients, designers and educators on creating effective learning environments. He regularly speaks at international conferences and seminars about the importance of the design of the environment.

Alastair spent five years as a policy analyst at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in the Centre for Effective Learning Environments. His focus at the OECD  was on innovative design of physical learning environments, procurement and higher education buildings in city and regional development.

At the University of Westminster (2003–2007) he ran a research programme in the department of property and construction. He taught in the School of Architecture on the professional practice programme and on the post graduate programmes on design management and construction law.

In private practice he specialised in project briefing working on a range of education and commercial projects. For the UK’s Design Council (1997–1999) he explored the design processes involved in developing sustainable schools. In his early career he was an editor and journalist for the Architects’ Journal and the RIBA Journal.

Alastair is a UK registered architect and a member of Chatham House and RSA.

Alastair Blyth BSc (Hons) Dip Arch (UCL) MA RIBA FRSA AoU

Hiral is Senior Lecturer in Architecture at the Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University. She is a researcher, educator and advocate whose work advances a deeper understanding of users’ needs in the built environment. Her research and consultancy across university spaces include co-design approaches, briefing, building performance evaluation, and building adaptation. Her key projects also include curating the DEGW ‘living’ archive and developing the award-winning Shape My School programme across Cardiff, Wales. As a trustee of the University Design Forum, she actively facilitates the translation of evidence into actionable strategies to improve how places are planned, designed and used for effective learning experiences.

hiral patel B Arch (Dist) MSc (reading) phd fhea

John Worthington is Co-Founder of DEGW and Director of The Academy of Urbanism. He was Professor of Architecture and Director of the Institute of Advanced Architectural Studies,The University of York (1992–97); Visiting Professor, University of Sheffield(1997–2007), Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg (2000–2003) Professorial Fellow University of Melbourne (2007–2009). Board member London Thames Gateway Development Corporation (2004 – 2009).

John’s current interests are the interrelationship between design and briefing with a specific focus on urban design and estates strategies. Throughout his career he has been concerned with supporting business organisations, institutions and public authorities in making the most effective use of resources by matching available space and buildings to organisational demands. He was responsible for the briefing and research for Stockley International Business Park, Heathrow; the regeneration of Carl Zeiss, Jena; Utrecht central station site: and the high building strategies for Rotterdam and Dublin.

John Worthington mbe AA (Dip Hons) M Arch (PENN) FRIBA FRSA AoU

Dr Fiona Young is an architect and researcher specialising in learning environments, and founder of architecture_with. Her doctoral research examines how the affordances of learning environments can support student deep learning, and how educators can recognise and activate these affordances in practice. Her work bridges research, design and everyday use, helping school communities and design teams build shared understanding of pedagogy and space. She applies this understanding to the design and activation of educational facilities that support collaborative teaching and learning. She is co-founder of Making Space, an award-winning teacher professional learning program that helps educators develop practical strategies and protocols to use collaborative learning environments.