After enjoying the delights of Glasgow and excellent hospitality in Scotland in 2007, SCALA this year moves back to central England for a conference that will address the challenges facing public sector clients and design professionals, exploring those issues that are a priority in society generally.

This SCALA event is aimed at design, engineering and property professionals involved in public sector architecture projects, including those who commission these services and will cover a number of topics:

Designing for Dementia Care - Solutions for care facilities, their internal and external environment, resulting from multi-disciplinary cooperation and latest research. Sibylle Heeg, architect, author and Head of Demenz Support Stuttgart, will share her experience as a leading figure in the information transfer between science and application in practice and the design of homes for people with dementia. Dr Garuth Chalfont will present current thinking on the importance of connection with nature for people with dementia and how this can be achieved through design of the built environment.

Achieving wider social and economic benefits through construction procurement - making it work through the Local Learning Partnership/ Making the Connection Initiative. Martin Gawith, Chief Executive of Greater Nottingham Partnership, will explore the benefits, pitfalls and lessons learned.

Nottingham Contemporary - the new contemporary arts centre designed by Caruso St Johns, Architects. Adam Caruso will discuss this exciting project with reflections about the Practice's approach to design development and innovation.

Live Smart@Home are developing the IKEA boklok housing in the UK - Mike Kirk will talk about their first development in the UK,

in Gateshead - aimed at low income working householders and designed to meet real customer needs. He will explain Live Smart@Home’s business approach and relationship with IKEA. David Morton of Home Architects, the scheme designers, will discuss their approach to the energy efficient design of the housing, the on and off site construction methods used and the tight quality control.

Innovation in Design of Urban Spaces - Gustafson-Porter winners of a 2008 RIBA Award for their design of Nottingham Market Square and also the 2008 Civic Trust Award for outstanding contribution to the public realm. Neil Porter will explain their design but will also draw on experience in designing urban spaces elsewhere and his practice’s approach to innovation – focusing on accessibility and the flexible use of public space.

Changing Places Toilets - Martin Jackaman from Nottingham City Council has been the driving force behind the provision a new type of toilet in the City Centre to meet the needs of the most severely disabled people and their carers. Named the Guardian Public Servant of the Year 2007, Martin will share his experience of helping this neglected client group, including his involvement with the Governments New Strategic Guide for Public Toilets and with the National Changing Places Consortium working with British Standards on the draft changes to BS 8300.

Innovation in Technology and Delivery - cannot be separated, they are linked together by the choice of procurement route. Alan Coole,

Development Manager and Tom Ridley Thompson, Architect of SCAPE, will explain how the initiatives taken by SCAPE, gathering the East Midlands into a collective voice and working with Loughborough University, will improve their communities buildings.

A photographer’s personal take on ‘Innovation in Public Architecture’ - One of the country's leading architectural photographers, Martine Hamilton Knight will present a selection of her photographs from Nottingham and elsewhere.

The venue for SCALA 2008 is Eastwood Hall, set in 26 acres of tranquil landscaped grounds in the Nottinghamshire countryside, within easy reach of the city centre, 17 miles from the East Midlands airport and close to the M1.

A major event in the SCALA calendar is the Presidents Dinner which will be held on the Friday evening, the highlight being the presentation of the Civic Building of the Year Award for an outstanding piece of public architecture. There will also be an opportunity to see the short listed entries in a hotly contested and quality field.

If you wish to register for the event or view the programme and location plan for Eastwood Hall please click on the button below:

If you require any further information please contact: Steve Dodsworth, SCALA Manager on T: 01446 771209, E: policy@scala.org.uk