ΕΣΩ 2025: "EMBRACING CHAOS IN A SMART WORLD" // “Responsive Futures: Technology, Space, and the Human Experience”: Chris Sharples - SHoP Architects

In his speech entitled “Responsive Futures: Technology, Space, and the Human Experience’, in the context of this year’s event ESO “EMBRACING CHAOS IN A SMART WORLD”, Chris Sharples, architect and Founding Partner of SHoP Architects,  overstated in his speech the need for innovation of the architecture designing and building process, through collaboration, enhancement of biodiversity within building systems and integration of technological methods.

PHOTO: APHRODITI HOULAKI – FOR DESIGN AMBASSADOR

Read more about ESO 2025, “Embracing Chaos in a smart world” εδώ!

After a brief introduction on Shop Architects history over 50 years of work, Chris Sharples began by highlighting where process needs to go in terms of the practice of architecture. He also emphasized on the importance connecting academy and the profession as a practice and how that can inspire and lead to innovation in terms of different materials – 3d printed bamboo, carbon fibre, etc. – and technologies.

WAVE/CAVE – SHOP ARCHITECTS | FUORIMILAN IN 2017

How important the human scale is to our building environment and how technology can play a big role in it by taking traditional materials and pushing them on new ways of crafting?

WAVE/CAVE – SHOP ARCHITECTS | FUORIMILAN IN 2017
FLOTSAM & JETSAM – SHOP ARCHITECTS

We need to rethink how we work – we need to innovate our process

PHOTO: APHRODITI HOULAKI – FOR DESIGN AMBASSADOR

In order to evolve as architects we need to engage with every sector of the process – engage with the fabricators and also bring technologies from other industries into our building processes. Create collaborations outside our sphere of influence with technology companies for our advantage.

BOTSWANA INNOVATION HUB – SHOP ARCHITECTS

Design for Manufacture & Assembly

In terms of design, Chris Sharples presented an Innovation Hub in Botswana, and wondered on how can we pull some of the complexity off the construction site and into more controlled environment and on how we can take these processes and adjust them on different sites around the world, not only in terms of design but taking into account the people as project members. He presented the idea of working on a digital model that can manage the level of complexity on a project and make it understood and achievable on site.

The model is not just a representation of the project, but it actually holds the instructions on how you can fabricate it.

BOTSWANA INNOVATION HUB – SHOP ARCHITECTS

Communicate is half the battle

PHOTO: APHRODITI HOULAKI – FOR DESIGN AMBASSADOR

Material Wellness: Hybrid Structures &  Biobased Materials Systems 

He continued by giving some examples of  hybrid systems and of the way we can bring more natural and bio based materials into our buildings. Keeping that in mind he indicated how through structural Analysis & Optimization you reduce cost and you reduce complexity.  

ATLASSIAN HEADQUARTERS IN SYDNEY – SHOP ARCHITECTS
ATLASSIAN HEADQUARTERS IN SYDNEY – SHOP ARCHITECTS

In addition, he claimed that engineers and architects need to understand how the eco system of the supply chain work and how can modularisation and offsite manufacturing help accelerate the adoption of biophilic systems in our built environment.

PHOTO: APHRODITI HOULAKI – FOR DESIGN AMBASSADOR

He also highlighted that we need to embrace the design process to its detail and indicated the modular benefits – in terms of material use, of waste or energy reduction.

“We are prototyping and learning from the process of construction and that influences the way we design and the way we engage with the supply chain” he acclaimed. 

How the building perform through its life cycle?

Traditionally a building after construction is complete it gets into a state of gradual decay but what if you could constantly upgrade that building? Inspired by aviation practices, where an aircraft is stripped from its skin every few years to be renovated, he waked us through the idea that architecture can get better with time. 

Resilience and regenerative thinking, combining with biodiversity practices, in collaboration with the academia community, can bring innovative results on the way we design.

A prototype where you can actually print all the infrastructure that goes within the floor and walls and in addition be able to control not only the air by mechanical systems but also bringing into your space natural systems and ventilation, achieving a huge impact on mental health. 

We have to be innovative, it’s all about process and it’s all about material science.

PHOTO: APHRODITI HOULAKI – FOR DESIGN AMBASSADOR

Read more about ESO 2025, “Embracing Chaos in a smart world” εδώ!


Credits of organization

Event title ΕΣΩ 2025: “EMBRACING CHAOS IN A SMART WORLD”
Typology Conference, Conference on Architecture & Design
Location Alexandra Trianti Hall, Athens Concert Hall
Date Wednesday 7 May 2025

Sponsors
PLATINUM SPSONSOR ALUMIL
GOLD SPONSOR ORAMA MINIMAL FRAMES
SIVLER SPONSOR EUROPA
BRONZE SPONSOR INTERBETON
ΕΜERALD SPONSOR ELVIAL
SAPPHIRE SPONSOR VIMAR
DISTINCTIVE SPONSOR HERACLES 
GRAND SPONSORS ISOMAT, NEOKEM, ΜΑRΜOURIS, SATO, GRUPPO CUCINE, SIFAKIS, ΚΥΠΡΙΩΤΗΣ, ΚΕΒΕ, RADOS, SOLOMON, AVE, CRYSTAL CONSTRUCTION, AHI CARRIER, VERTICAL, ARCHITEXTURE, NAFPLIOTIS, ETHIMO, URBI ET ORBI, MOLESKINE, STORMY SA
CREATIVE PARTNERS THE DESIGN AMBASSADOR, STAGE DESIGN OFFICE, EVIN, SCENTLINQ PRO
COMMUNICATION SPONSORS & COMMUNITY PARTNERS ARCHISEARCH, ARCHSTUDIES, ANDRO, FORTUNE GREECE, LIFO, OPEN HOUSE ATHENS, OZON MAGAZINE, THE GREEK FOUNDATION
HOSPITALITY SUPPORTER THE MODERNIST
COFFEE BREAK SPONSOR TAF

Content Creation & Communication Sponsor Archisearch.gr
Production Management & Artistic Direction Design Ambassador


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