In 2006, we look back with admiration to Span Housing in contrast with today’s less confident efforts - but does it belong to a past world, or can its best features of landscaping, shared open space and management by residents be adapted for contemporary house building projects? While the authentic look of original Span is important, how can the building fabric be adapted to cope with higher energy costs and more extreme temperatures in the future, and other changes in society?

The symposium will look at these issues in sessions chaired by Alan Powers (architectural historian and critic, University of Greenwich) and Julia Thrift (former head of CABESpace).